Honest Opinion
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- Buckyball2
I went to school for design. Been out of school working for about 5 years. I am making the switch to art direction. I am building what is essentially a student book all over again of ad work.
Here is the catch. I am doing this on my own time. I don't have the money nor time to attend one of the creative schools here in town (Portfolio Center or Creative Circus).
So my "student" book doesn't have a "school name" attached to it. I do have my design degree so it is not like I am coming from being an accountant to art direction.
My question is this: Do you think the above situation would affect my chances of getting a job as an art director at an agency? Or do you think that if my book of work is solid and I have good references to fall back on, that it won't have any affect at all?
I believe in the latter. I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't. Just some fear of the unknown involved. Especially the notion that I am kind of starting over. Salary and totem pole wise. Or does my five years in the advertising business count towards salary in a junior art director position? I hope.
Any feedback to my life dilemma :-) would be greatly appreciated.
thanks,
bB
- Bio0
well, im not sure where the student part comes in.
portfolio builders? man, if you got 5 yrs work exp PLUS a degree, then all those cats'll be looking at is your work.
our AD agrees with me.
it is the degree and the work that counts as far as art director, creative directors go. and sometimes the degree is not necessary.
- Buckyball20
thanks Bio. I guess the fear is spending alot of time building up a solid portfolio of AD work and then losing out to someone who has Portfolio Center or some other "finishing" school on their resumé. And it could happen.
The plus is that I work with a bunch of AD's and copywriters who teach at these schools. So I can take advantage of their input without paying $3000 a quarter.
Might make for good references in the future.
thanks,
bB
- robotron3k0
keep working on your AD book, you only need around 10-15 pieces at the most to let them know you have good concept skills, edit you work, take out the worst and leave only the best, anything with a concept is better, tailor your book to match the company your working for, rave style desgin goes best at places like the attic, where conservative stuff will go with Y&R... i like being an AD vs. a designer, the money tends to be better and your more hands off with time to think and hire designers to flesh out your idea...
+ ad agencies tend to throw better parties... just an thought, good luck..
- Bio0
i took a portfolio building class in college a few years back and while it was very useful, you could learn anything you want to know about it thru books.
i think that if you look around at some of your AD friends portfolios, you can get an idea of what to shoot for.
and as i have seen some of your work before, i'd say you got a good chance to kick some ass.
best of luck with it all. i am sure you will do quite well!=)
- Buckyball20
thanks all. I just talked to one of our AD's here and it was much same slant on things. A solid book is what matters at the end of the day.
Just hope I can leave my love of interactive design behind. I guess that's what freelance is for.
bB
- chilaquil0
Hmm..
I 'm kinda coming from the exact opposite background. I studied graphic design, minored in advertising. First job (after interning at a design firm) I got was doing as Assistant Art Director at a promotions agency, but a lot of the stuff we did was very similar to advertising. So without knowing much of what an art director does, I just kinda had to learn that on the job. It was cake though. All you would do is shoot the shit with a copywriter all day to come up with a couple good designs, then you'd go direct a photoshoot.
Then I went to work some place where they did a little bit of everything and that's where I started doing web work. Now my book looks like a total hodge podge of stuff... I liked art directing 'cause it was easy and made a lot more money. But web work and identities are what I dig doing the most (unlucky for me..)
- sexypixel0
The last job i worked in my boss asked me to look for two designers. I dont think I looked at anyone 'education' section on theyre resume, just went straight for the work, and if the work looked good, that was enough for me. Work expeirience is the only expeirience in my book. You dont deal with client dilemas in school. Its all about the fibre on the fabric if you get my drift.
- frow0
Bucky, I've been in a Creative Director position for 2 years now. My education consists of an Engingeering Graphics Certificate from a local college! My experience has been that, in the new media/web industry, it's all about the portfolio. They don't care about schooling.
- CyBrainX0
I have an Associates degree from a SUNY school and it never held me back. I have it on my resume but it rarely comes up in interviews. I always explain how I'm self taught in most areas. Especially since I'm in web now and graduated in '93. There was no web back then. They just want to see the work and pick your brain in an interview to see you can think. Put yourself in their position. How would you evaluate a potential AD?