After deliberating what course would strike me as remotely interesting for the next 3 years of my life, and possibly the rest of my career there was clearly only one choice. Advertising. Naturally not the most interesting topic of part conversation, or even the best payed occupation which could be derived from the world of choice UCAS could possibly throw at the budding Bachelor of Arts. Nevertheless, I am inspired by the work of many of the worlds top design studios, agencies and freelance professionals, creating influential artpieces to inspire the mind, and most importantly from my Business Studies perspective, they occasionally inspire the wallet too.
Having no previous experience in the bag from Art and Design courses I had my work cut out, unfortunately most institutions require Art and Design qualifications and a vast portfolio of design work, along with sketchbooks, layouts, plans and other arty parefenalia. Having suffered a decline into, dare I say it, 'academia', studying worthless subject areas; Mathematics, Physics and as a solitary respite of product orientated Business Studies. Business Studies was a catalyst for my aspirations, guiding my interest in product development/launch and explored the financial/marketing side of the advertising department. After exploring degree courses with aspect of Marketing as a main focus I found the business side of advertising to be relatively 'dry' and lacked the inspiration I had been searching for in a career in advertising.
After assuming that Marketing was the course I had been searching for I agreed to attend an open day at a university in Lancashire, my brother was attending a meeting with the course director for a Fine Art degree, as I was in the building I picked up a leaflet containing details on an Advertising Ba (Hons) degree. I was immediately fascinated by the context of the course and the industry. After entering the meeting upstairs I was the only person there to attend the meeting, the course leader, Linda Sinclair opened my eyes to the wonders that the Advertising profession would bring me. The Marketing meeting, due to take place at 14:00 that day carried on without me there. Nothing could of thrown my enthusiasm about the course, the industry, the Advertising environment and the unique art-form that forms the basis for the career which has inspired me, the career which I have chosen, the career which has inspired me to aim higher, higher than I had previously dares to think about.
After being wholly compelled by the course I applied, through UCAS, to UCLAN - Preston, Solent - Southampton, Edge Hill - Near Liverpool and finally Newcastle College. The latter, Newcastle College really has spoken out to me, not only do I get to stay where I've lived for the near 18 years of my life so far, but the course offers so many opportunities of visits to industry, as well as work placements to agencies and studios across the UK and an industry visit to New York, NY next year sounds extremely exciting as, with most budding Advertisers, New York City is really the hub of the industry and the pinnacle of aspiration, for those who really want to progress in this industry. The course itself includes regular live briefs and encourages students to think creatively and encouraged the growth of the individual's creative mind.
There it is, David Todd, in a nutshell.
FdA Creative Advertising
Ba Creative Advertising
to be.
