Career Resources for Creatives
Every once in a while I get asked to name my accomplices. It’s not frequent because I take forever to get back on this one (there are over 1000 updates in my RSS feed at any given time). Rather than waiting while I make my slow way around to answering, see what I recently sent a student.
Some of this stuff you may have seen from me before, but bear with me. A (by no means complete) list of books and resources for getting into advertising:
Books
the Idea Writers by Teressa Iezzi (make absolutely sure you read this one)
Hey Whipple, Squeeze This by Luke Sullivan
Advertising Concept and Copy by George Felton
The Copy Workshop Workbook by Bruce Bendinger
It’s Not How Good You Are It’s How Good You Want to Be and Whatever You Think Think the Opposite by Paul Arden
Baked In by Alex Bogusky
Annuals
Check out these annuals:
the Advertising Design Club of Canada (ADCC)
Blogs
Check www.agencyspy.com for news of industry moves (sometimes when an agency gets a new client, they go on a hiring spree)
Check www.creativity-online.com for new and inspirational ad-related stuff.
www.ihaveanidea.org (specifically Ask Jancy, two great Creative Directors answer all your questions)
Events
Portfolio Night put on by www.ihaveanidea.org
Toronto Advertising Week (apply early, go to the student event and get dropped in an agency, meet everyone you can)
Competitions
As a student, you should get in on
Young Guns,Young Lions, ADCC Student competition, D&AD and the National Advertising Awards
Open Briefs
Good ones can usually be found at www.victorsandspoils.com. They’re my favorite crowdsourcing agency, and I’m not just saying that because I’ve won with them. They take submissions from creatives everywhere and pay those with the winning ideas. No matter what others say, it’s still great practice.
Get Online
Apply for membership in www.cargocollective.com I don’t think they’ve turned anybody down and it’s a great site to post your portfolio and check out the work of others. Also get on www.behance.net, similar deal with tons of great tips.
People have gotten hired off these two websites. Give it a shot.
I think that’s it for now, it’s a lot to sift through I know. Take your time and let me know if you need anything else.
