Congratulations to all the graduates of this year's AWARD School. Here's some sound advice from our Group Creative Director, Tommy Cehak, if you didn't quite make the winners list and you're wondering what's next...
Congratulations to all the AWARD School winners in Sydney last night. But we can't all be winners, so for the rest of you, here’s my advice and experience as an AWARD School 'Flunkee' on what to do next... I remember that sting like it was yesterday. Those ideas on The Wall identical to your own, but drawn slightly better? The Direct Idea that wasn’t even a direct idea? That radio script one of your tutors talked you out of writing up properly? What happened? Hopefully you too got really drunk and went bowling. But now, the first thing you have to do is take all of that disappointment, frustration, disbelief and confusion and turn it into hunger and determination. The end goal isn’t about winning AWARD School (though I'm sure that's nice). It’s getting a job. Here’s the good news. A lot of students who did ok are resting on their laurels, high-fiving each other and nursing a portfolio that (save for a couple ideas) is preeeetty similar to everyone else that did AWARD School. A bunch of them will think they’ve already done enough and got enough in their book to land a job. But there’s no confusion for you. Start over. Get to work. New ideas. Do ideas for the clients of the agencies you go to meet. Standing out from the pack is what will make you more memorable and interesting. That and showing how hungry you are. Team up. Find the writer to your art directing or vice versa. Importantly someone who shares the same ambition you do. Work your network. With your portfolio in tip top shape, it’s time to hit up your tutors and the industry network you’ve built up during your time at AWARD School. Ask for time to review your work. Take on feedback. Go to portfolio nights. Get more feedback. Keep grinding away and improving your portfolio. Follow people up. Maybe even ask someone to be your mentor. Do your research. Know what’s happening in the industry. Which agencies have won some recent pitches? Which agencies are rebuilding after a change in leadership? It’s times like these that agencies might be keen to add some Juniors to their department. Don’t be too picky. Get into the industry. Figure it out a bit first. Then you’ll figure out what you like doing and what you need to do if you want to move around. Lastly. Finishing =11th isn't so bad.