Art Directors Club Award Show
Last night I had the honor to attending the 96th annual Art Directors Club in the presence of unbelievable talent and this year’s top creative brilliance. Some things to take away from this:
Don’t chase awards, do the kind of work that make awards chase you:
From a brail-reading smartwatch, a full VR experience on a school bus or an interactive experience to bring bones in a museum turn into reality, these awards were given to talent who sought out to make life easier and more memorable for others, not themselves. While it’s important to know all of the agencies winning awards and know what kind of work to hold a standard to, make sure you’re doing the kind of work that align with the values you have and you will be x times better at what you do.
And…who are you? Show your work:
These agencies won awards because they were innovative, but also because they were entered into the ADC to be recognized for a cube. You can’t be recognized for the work you do unless you show it. Share with the world every time you make something, even if it’s the behind the scenes process or a small sketch you do, it all matters and lets the world know that you’re staying productive and on top of your shit. As a creative, I’m constantly critiquing and beating myself up over every imperfect stroke, but the beauty of doing and sharing is that you get it out of your system before all of the great work comes.
Give people your time, no matter how much money and success you have:
My friend Trish and I met a man named Steve Sandstrom who blew us both away with how smart and willing he was to offer his advice to us two art directors entering the industry. He gave us 45 mins of his time and halfway through we discovered he owned a design shop in Portland,OR, and was responsible for the redesign and identity books of some major brands Trish and I both knew from the area. His luggage was in the corner so he had just flew in and arrived minutes before, so for him to give us his time was incredibly humble. A few hours into the award shows and we see Steve go up to speak in front of everyone and call out the prestigious awards. He was big time: on the panel of the ADC.
Remember these things and you’ll be in great shape.
-Macaihah Broussard