5 Tips for Creative Wannabes like Me

Having recently completed a two week work experience placement with AMV BBDO in London, I don't want to pass up the opportunity of a blog post with what I've learnt from my time there. I was lucky enough to spend the 10 days in Account Management with the brilliant Mars Pet team but the highlight of the week for me was a chat with a creative team who gave me some really helpful advice when starting out in the industry:

1. Ideas start with Insight
Example: the fabulous Marmite 'Neglect' campaign by Adam and Eve DDB. 
What's it called when people forget about Marmite?
Neglect. 
What do you associate with the word 'neglect'?
the RSPCA. 
Job done. 

2. Get used to ideas being rejected
The more ideas you come up with the better. Don't dismiss ideas before you've given them a chance- a Creative Director will happily do that for you. 

3. Ask for feedback
Or how will you know if what you're doing has legs? Enter portfolio competitions- Cream is a good place to start.

4. Follow people
Find out the names of people on Creative Advertising courses like SCA and Watford. Look at their websites for the work they've done and how they've displayed their portfolios. Aim for 8/10 projects in a book. 

5. It's what's on the outside that counts
Yep. That's right. Show people what you do outside of creating work. Whether you're a part-time snake wrangler or secret trapeze artist, having interests aside from being a creative is a great way of becoming a culturally-aware, well-rounded egg.