Comments on: D&AD New Blood 2009

By: Neil Martin

Neil Martin — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:16:26 +0000

"We pack our bags for London hoping to walk out with a job only to leave disappointed and slightly bewildered. Sure, it’s a great day out, but it’s not a recruitment fair."I couldn’t agree more with this. I exhibited my work this year along with a few other coursemates and although it was a fantastic experience being in the company of so many other creatives, there was a lack of people truly interested in my (or indeed anyone’s) work.Although a few of my business cards did get taken, I’ve had much more success promoting myself to companies directly through sending them self promotion and a followup phonecall. This is a hell of a lot less expensive than the £200+ I spent on staying in London for the duration of the show.I think New Blood is a fantastic concept but I completely agree with you that it needs to be look at again and see whether it’s working for as many people as it could be.

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:15:55 +0000

Hi David,I would dispute you calling the people who do well from New Blood "the lucky few". The people that get noticed are the people who have created work that gets noticed. To do work that gets noticed takes a certain amount of talent, but mainly hard work and desire.You say that the lure and the hype of New Blood is over promising- that is the nature of the creative industry. Only the "lucky few" will actually get there dream jobs, because there are only a few dream jobs out there, 90 % of advertising and design is crap. This means that everyone is fighting to get a job that allows them do the 10% that isnt.Anyone that gets there hopes up about walking into there dream job straight from New Blood obviously has not done there research into the industry and therefore, deserves to get them dashed.Its tough, but this is the capitalist world we live in.

By: David Bushell

David Bushell — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:15:34 +0000

Hi Andy thanks for the comment.I certainly agree that New Bleed is an excellent opportunity for a lucky few but I believe there are far more effective ways for talented graduates to get noticed. It’s a tough world at the moment and those that work the hardest will take advantage of every opportunity available, but I think the lure and hype of New Blood exceeds what it can really deliver.

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:15:15 +0000

This post seems like a bit of a moan to me. New Blood is an excellent reflection of the how work will be judged in the real world. Advertisments are everywhere, book stores are full of hundreds of books, every man and his dog has a logo now. – If your work can stand out here, it shows your talent. The reality is that there are far too many graduates for how many creative jobs there are, (especially in this current climate). There are also far too many graduattes who are not very good.Newblood is an excellent opportunity for graduates that have talent, and a great wake up call to those without talent or drive. The economy is crap. There are not enough jobs to go round. Deal with it. Either work harder or go get a job in the carphone warehouse.