D&AD Talk

I was lucky enough to book a seat for the D&AD talk last week at the Radisson Blu, a lecture where the upcoming briefs would be outlined alongside help and advice on gaining a foothold in the creative community. There was also a portfolio surgery where students could have their portfolio critiqued and valuable advice given by creative professionals from both London and Cardiff. Unfortunately I missed out on putting my name down in time, but the lecture itself was a more than worthwhile experience.

A speaker from the D&AD panel ran us through what makes a successful entry. This was supplemented by examples of both student and professional work that have impressed in the past with a combination of a great idea and professional execution. Below is an image of a poster that was particularly stirring:

Techniques commanding the attention of the public were showcased by two Wonderbra campaigns. The first 'Hello Boys' was a bold effort to draw the eye with a half naked model that most should be familiar with. It was explained that on its release, this poster caused a huge stir and saw people (men) causing traffic jams as they rolled past, staring at the provocative imagery. Now that we have become accustomed to such visuals, they no longer have the shock factor and companies like Wonderbra need to change their angle to achieve such commotion again. Above is the response to this problem, and uses a cryptic technique to challenge the viewer to discover what it means. It caused a few rewarded smiles at the talk as people cottoned on to the subliminal meaning giving them a sense of achievement, thus making the poster and brand memorable. I won't spoil the fun by writing the answer to this puzzle, but it is an excellent example of observing a problem and solving it.

The second part of the lecture saw Emma Booty take to the projector. Her career boasts a wealth of experience in a number of countries and agencies. She recently ended a long career at Landor, and let us see how things work at such a large company. She showcased her impressive communication skills as she offered her knowledge and working method to an interested audience.

It was in insightful afternoon for me, and one that I can draw inspiration and insight from in the upcoming D&AD competition briefs.