The Portfolio center sent 20 students to the  Art Directors Club 92nd Annual Awards of Art + Craft in Advertising and Design, plus a special bonus screening of the 2013 Tomorrow Awards winners on Thursday, October 3rd at the Cobra Lounge.

One of the students who attended, Lauren Bowen said, “Not only did we get to see some amazing work, we also got to meet with so many professionals who gave us advice, inspiration and even talked with us about their work.
This was not only an amazing opportunity as a designer to see other inspiring work, but I was able to meet with and network with so many professionals who are doing what I aspire to become. I was even able to exchange information and plan on going on a few tours with people from the agencies I met last night.”

Thank you to Lauren and everyone who attended – its a leap forward in your career and a great opportunity to meet professionals in your field.

Previous to this awesome event, another awesome thing happened: Global Marketing and Technology Agency Digitas LBI. We were joined in the Portfolio Center by Craig Badynee – Creative Recruiter; Eric Burshiem (CCC Alumni) and Copywriter and David Boensch – Associate Director/Creative Director.  We got some amazing insights into the big questions “What goes into your book?  What should I expect at an interview?  Do I need an online portfolio and a print portfolio?” and the many, many other questions that students had answered yesterday. 

Here are some helpful hints we learned:

Portfolios:

• It is better to have 5 solid amazing pieces in your book then 30 mediocre ones. 
• Have FULL campaigns of work.
• Be creative.
• Don’t do an ad for Nike, that’s been done – think outside the box. 
• Create spec work.
• Do more then what is average for class.
• And yes, have an online portfolio.

Interview:

• Never, ever, ever rely on a wireless connection.
• If you’re showing a portfolio via a tablet, or any other device, have a backup version as a PDF. 
• Print ads are hard to view on tablets. 
• If you’re a Copywriter interviewing, make sure the copy is easy to read.

Tips:

• Learn Photoshop – no matter what your career goal is. 
• Never show a pixelated image.
• Intern, intern, intern and work your butt off.  Become a part of the team.
• Have a blog and have interests.

Thanks so much again to Digitas – they’re awesome, inspiring people and everyone learns a wealth of information when they visit!