“We’re a digital agency… and there's two Jakes…”
As part of my on-going relationship with D&AD and my commitment to the D&AD North Committee, I was asked to take part in a Student portfolio surgery session at the Leeds College of Art & Design. Up and at 'em at silly o'clock, as a few of my Leeds based twitter friends had warned that traffic could be terrible, but I did manage to get there in good time. Yes, Leeds morning traffic is crap. Slightly nervous as to how the session was going to go, it was great to see James and Stuart from Thoughful, who'd done a session in Newcastle ...
Last Thursday, I was down in that London to speak at a D&AD Student Awards Sharp’ner session at the Vibe Bar on Brick Lane. I'd been invited, as last year I was the Foreman on two Student Award Briefs, Interactive Design and Microsite Design, which was a fantastic experience. D&AD invited judges from both Professional and Student awards to the evening to help students understand what we are looking for when we score and assess all the work in front of us, in such a short time. There was some great insight from Steve and Clem about what makes a great piece ...
This year I had the great honour of being a Foreman and juror at the D&AD Student Awards 2010, which was held down in Olympia, London. For those of you who don't know, a D&AD award comes in the shape of a pencil. As a creative, a Yellow Pencil is one of the highest honours bestowed upon you by your peers. It's career defining, and can only be bettered by a Black Pencil… However, I only had a hand in awarding "Baby Pencils", a slightly vertically challenged version of the full professional award, but nonetheless, the honour of being asked to take part ...
We're rather pleased to announce that our Interactive Director, Jake Smith, has been asked to be a foreman for the D&AD Student Awards 2010, participating in the Digital Design and Interactive Design briefs. The occasion will involve a long day at the London Olympia venue, pouring over entries and imparting words of wisdom… we hope.