It’s that time again! Time to meet the new book180 graduates. From book180: “These 18 creatives have spent the last 180 days of their life in portfolio school. For 6 months, they’ve worked together from all over the world, fine-tuned their design and writing skills, created so many book-worthy pieces, killed so many babies, panicked, had a lot of fun, and now, we’re so proud to watch them graduate! As you can see in their portfolios, they’re all winners. The work this semester was so insightful, for brands like Raid, Chiquita Bananas, Carvel, Coppertone, Applebees, SPAM, and Guinness Open Gate Brewery created in partnership with Jack Morton Worldwide. Call them, beep them, scoop them up before another agency does!” Do it!
Ashley Sommardahl, Associate Director at VCU Brandcenter in Richmond, VA, was nice enough to send MC their 2024 graduating class portfolios—which are broken out by concentration: Copywriting, Art Direction, Strategy, Experience Design, and Account/Brand Management. Can’t say enough good things about Brandcenter and the books coming out of it. Consistently stellar, strategic work that shines. Get ’em while they’re hot!
On the hunt for some new creative talent? Today is your day. A new crop of DAD grad portfolios dropped recently and they’re ready for your eyeballs. From DAD, “This group really pushed themselves to make the biggest, boldest work they could and boy did they deliver. There’s a TON of talent here and they’re open to opportunities on the east coast, west coast, and everything in between.” Love it.
Sarah Latz, Founder/Director of book180 online portfolio school, was nice enough to send MC their 2023 Fall grad portfolios. (View at the link below.) What’s more fun than clicking through student portfolios, checking out fresh new work, and trying to guess where they’re going to land for their first gigs? Nothing. Nothing is more fun. Congrats to all of the new book180 grads—go get ’em!
These students hail from all over the country. After 180 days of hard work, they’ve created campaigns that we’re SO proud of: digital activations for brands like Kraft, Coinbase, Coke, and Dove; stellar partnerships for brands like Dungeons & Dragons and Monster Jam; cool experiential work for brands like Polly Pocket; and amazing social good work including a campaign for Oreo.
We can’t wait to see them go out and take the industry by storm!
book180 is the only 6-month, fully online,100% female-owned portfolio school in the world. Because we’re online, we have students and instructors from all over the world, giving students a truly global perspective on their work. For the Spring 2024 semester, we have instructors lined up from LA, NYC, Chicago, Miami, Durham and Buenos Aires, and students enrolled from across the country, including Hawaii, and even an international student in Seoul. We’re out to continue giving more people access to the portfolio school and creative advertising world.
Erin Conrad, Talent Relations Manager at Cactus in Denver (check out their site here), is on the hunt for a copywriter and an art director to join their team. For more info or to apply, check out the links below:
Heather Vanisko, co-founder/education director at Denver Ad School, checks in with the portfolio links of a whole bunch of new copywriter, art director, designer/illustrator, and strategist grads. Check ’em out at the links below and, in Heather’s words, “HIRE THEM.” Ha!
Craig Likhite, VP/Creative Manager at Cramer-Krasselt, is on the hunt for a senior team (senior art director + senior copywriter) to join their team in Chicago. From Craig:
We are looking for an individual or team to help us continue to make friends, not ads. You’ll work across integrated clients like Tropicana, Porsche, Corona Hard Seltzer, Spirit Airlines, Pacifico, Cedar Fair Parks, and more. The position is based in our Chicago office. All C-Kers will have a hybrid work schedule when we return to the office in January 2022.
The team we’re looking for already has a great portfolio – broadcast/film as well as fully integrated campaigns. Let’s see some non-traditional thinking, too (PR-driven ideas /brand acts).
You will be equal parts concept-driven and design-driven. Someone who puts the idea before execution. And then, crafts the ever-loving hell out of that idea. This is an individual, or a team, who thinks about who would direct, DOP, and edit it all. A team who lives to produce work that makes their colleagues jealous. Who goes for not just a great PR idea but wants that idea on the cover of Archive.
Ready for some fresh student portfoios? The latest Denver Ad School grads are ready for you. From DAD: “These were the last creatives standing out of our second-ever finishing quarter, Winter 2021. They rose to the challenge and displayed the kind of resiliency that will make them all contributors on day-one in whatever agency is lucky enough to land them.” Can’t wait to see where they go!
Sarah Latz, Director of Education at Chicago Portfolio School, checks in with 13 new copywriter, art director and designer grads: RJ Dralle (copywriter), Ian Souter (copywriter), Patrick Leahy (copywriter), Abbey Blankensop (art director), Bree Bregman (art director), Cooper Brannigan (art director), Emily Panico (art director), Erin Nedelman (art director), Grace Ren (art director), Taylor Glicksberg (art director) Tiffany Mei (art director), Priscilla Cha (designer), and Rachel Fried (designer). Link to their portfolios below. Congrats to all!
Sarah Latz, Director of Education at Chicago Portfolio School, checks in with seven new grads ready for prime time: Lucas Simes (art director), Winston Thompson (art director), Kimmy Mueller (designer), Rachel Tenuta (designer), Erin Ayalp (copywriter), Nicholas McGuire (copywriter), and Teddy Cohn (copywriter). Link to their portfolios below. Congrats to all!
Austin is a new art director in Chicago and a former student at Chicago Portfolio School. His portfolio features spec campaigns for brands like Nike (above, cool get-out-the-vote idea), Payday, Field Notes, Audible, Post It, and Xfinity. Can’t wait to see where Austin lands!
Kimmy is a new graphic designer in Chicago and a recent graduate of Chicago Portfolio School. Lots of really beautiful work on her site including rebrands for Walgreens and Oikos yogurt, a needed fix for an online Myers-Briggs personality test, work for Stoli (above), lettering and typography, logos, and more. Can’t wait to see where Kimmy lands!
Big thanks to Aaron Marshall, new copywriter and recent Creative Circus grad, for giving MC a heads up that links to all September 2020 Creative Circus graduate portfolios are available now at the link below. Congrats to all of the grads—can’t wait to see where they land!
Henry is an aspiring art director/designer in Los Angeles, currently a project manager at Team One. All kinds fun work in his book—but be sure to check out his “Chips for Change” project for Lays (One Show Young Ones – Merit). So cool to see a new designer using their powers for good. Dig it!
Big thanks to Sarah Latz, Director of Education at Chicago Portfolio School, for sending MC the latest CPS grads sites. So much great work! Below are links to all Spring 2020 grad portfolio sites, plus a note from Sarah.
“Chicago Portfolio School has been offering a free class to undergraduate students who now have to finish their academic year from home. Jeff Epstein, the founder of Chicago Portfolio, leads the online class and discussion of more than 70 college students from around the country. Advertising professors from around the country helped spread word of the class, and students from all of the Big 10 campuses, and state schools like Florida, Oregon, Arizona, as well as smaller schools, are registered.
Recruiters from Leo Burnett, plus veteran copywriters, art directors and strategists have virtually visited to talk about how to get a job and create award-winning campaigns.
For now, the class is ongoing, and seniors (creative and non-creative majors) are still welcome to register for the online class. Additionally, the school’s allowing anyone to virtually “sit in” on a number of other classes they offer.
Reach out to Sarah at sarah@chicagoportfolio.com for more information.”
Casey is a junior art director on the hunt for his first gig after graduating from Creative Circus. His site was sent in by his friend Ricky Depugh who is a junior copywriter in Atlanta. How nice is that? So nice, MC is including links to both of their sites below. Some crazzeee spec campaigns on Casey’s site, including “The Savage Citrus” for Simply Grapefruit Juice (above). The video on his About Me page is pretty wild too. Can’t wait to see where he lands!
Sara (copywriter) and Katie (art director) are a creative team at Pereira O’Dell in San Francisco. Since their last post on MC (back on 10.29.18), they’ve been busy. There’s new work on both of their sites (and different work on each), including a super cool project for Ese by Pearson (above). Time for an update!
Troy Jones, copywriter/CD (and good friend to MC), checks in with a new multicultural crowdsourcing agency, The Cre8tive Majority—and they’re on the hunt for creative talent (remote, can work from any location). From Troy:
“There’s nothing more modern than letting modern copywriters and creatives earn a little extra cash by pitching projects from brands looking to communicate with a multicultural audience. If you think you have the creative capabilities and insights to communicate authentically with this audience then what are you waiting for, sheesh. Go sign up now!”
Flint & Steel is on the hunt for both a mid-level copywriter and a designer to join their team in NYC. From Flint & Steel:
COPYWRITER Position details: Long term freelance with an opportunity for full time employment.
We’re on the hunt for a mid-level copywriter to join the team as partner to a seasoned art director, and key member of the creative department. You’ll concept and articulate a shared vision, creating compelling stories and copy.
You are a passionate thinker looking for real satisfaction in your job. For you, writing and creativity isn’t just a profession, it’s a calling. You want to leverage all your varied interests to create things that are truly meaningful. And you’re able to concept big, think fast, and aggressively contribute to an inspired culture that wants and needs you.
What You’ll Do
High-level concepting, tactical program ideation and copywriting for a wide range of brand experiences, social content and marketing deliverables that generate conversation and brand engagement
Own the brand story for our clients across all channels, maintaining a consistent voice and vision
Create branded social content that is insightful, culturally relevant and inherently sharable
Successfully communicate (present and sell-in) creative ideas and the strategic rationale behind them, and collaborate with agency team members to produce smart, powerful work
What We’re Looking For
3-5 years experience in marketing, advertising or social media
Excellent short-form and long-form writing skills in a variety of voices and tones
Solid grammar, editing and proofreading capabilities
A hands on, lean in approach to your work and craft. We’re looking for a go-getter who’s not afraid to jump in and get their hands dirty
An awareness of cultural trends, social fluency and solid understanding of how to drive conversation and engagement across social channels
Ability to think strategically and conceptualize creatively
Strong presentation and verbal communication skills
Ability to self-motivate and work autonomously to manage multiple projects and deadlines
DESIGNER Position details: Long term freelance with an opportunity for full time employment.
We’re looking for a designer to join the team as a key member of the creative department. You’ll turn big ideas into visual and conceptual reality, and create thoughtful, compelling design for a variety of media.
You are a passionate and critical thinker looking for real satisfaction in your job. For you, design and creativity isn’t just a profession, it’s a calling. You want to leverage all your varied interests to design things that are truly meaningful. And you’re able to concept big, think fast, and aggressively contribute to an inspired culture that wants and needs you.
What You’ll Do
Brainstorm and create visual communications for a wide range of brand experiences, social content and marketing deliverables to generate conversation and brand engagement
Own the brand story for our clients across all channels, maintaining a consistent look and vision
Help the team create and prepare presentations for new business and clients
Design branded social content that is insightful, culturally relevant and inherently sharable
Successfully communicate (present and sell-in) creative ideas and collaborate with agency team members to produce smart, powerful work
What We’re Looking For
1-3 years experience in marketing, advertising or social media, and/or applicable education program
Proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Keynote. Proficiency in After Effects is a plus!
Have a solid understanding of typography, period and current design trends and styles, layout design, and best web practices
A hands on, lean in approach to your work and craft. We’re looking for a go-getter who’s not afraid to jump in and get their hands dirty
Ability to self-motivate and work autonomously to manage multiple projects and deadlines
Who We Are
We’re a seasoned shop with start-up nerve. Why? We’re challenging the definition of what a marketing champion can be.
We celebrate autonomy and creative freedom. We are democratic, intolerant of mediocrity and we’re creating ideas that range from content, to category-shifting TV campaigns, gaming, Sundance awarded films, new products, and more. And we’re doing it for clients ranging from Pepsi, to Johnson & Johnson, NBA, Glenfiddich, Topps, AMC and others.
Interested? Yes, we’re just as excited as you! Please reach out to us with ALL of the following:
Your CV
A cover letter letting us know why you want to be part of the Flint & Steel team
A link to your portfolio. If your website requires a password, please remember to include that so we can review your work.
We are kindly not accepting applicants without portfolios. Please send replies to: jobs@flintandsteel.com
Sarah Gatling Latz, Director of the Education Department at Chicago Portfolio School, checks in with portfolio links to the CPS Fall 2019 Copywriter, Art Director, and Designer grads. Congrats to all!
Jesse Alkire, copywriter/CD in Denver (featured on MC back on 08.18.16, jessealkire.com), checks in with a big announcement. The new Denver Ad School is up and running.
From the DAD site: “A new school for explorers and risk-takers. Out west, nestled up against Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, sits a lone creative outpost. A place for the curious and the willing to discover how far their creativity can take them. To get here takes an audacious will, but any good creative knows that nothing interesting ever came out of playing it safe.
Before you seek us out, though, ask yourself one question — are you in search of an ordinary advertising school… or are you in search of adventure?”
Lucía (writer) and Joan (art director) are a junior creative team at TBWA\España. (Love having a Spanish team on MC again.) Their team portfolio is part produced, part student work—but mostly produced, and what’s produced is awesome. Don’t miss their campaign for Codere Apuestas, Real Madrid’s official betting company (above). Too funny.
Natalie is a new designer/art director and a recent graduate of the University of Oregon. (Go Ducks!) Her student portfolio is super fun, bright, and optimistic—love the big, bold type throughout (beautiful typography). Perfect for a spring Saturday post on MC. Can’t wait to see where Natalie lands!
Huge thanks to Ashley Sommardahl, VCU Brandcenter Director of Student Affairs and Industry Outreach, for helping MC host VCU Brandcenter Week. Always inspiring and mind-blowing to see the awesome portfolios coming out of Brandcenter.
Katie is a new art director and a recent graduate of VCU Brandcenter. Her portfolio is full of super cool type treatments, including two long-copy campaigns (yesss) with new copywriter and fellow Brandcenter grad Mitchell Moss (portfolio here). As long as someone still loves to write long-copy ads, and someone else still loves to lay them out, the world is safe. At least, for now.
Sheila Simpson, SVP Human Resources at Bright Red in Tallahassee, FL, is on the hunt for a mid-senior copywriter, senior art director, and a senior designer to join their growing team. From Bright Red:
“Located in Tallahassee, Florida, BRIGHT RED is a dynamic collaboration of strategy, content, digital and public relations synergized to connect brands and audiences. We currently have exciting opportunities for highly talented, eager Copywriters, Senior Art Directors, and Senior Designers that have the desire and ability to be part of a dynamic creative team.
Copywriter
We are looking for a mid-senior level copywriter to do the best work of your career working on a diverse portfolio of clients. Pencils and lions are not a mandatory, but the desire to win them is.
Responsibilities:
Reports directly to the Chief Creative Officer.
Collaborates with art directors and strategists to translate ideas into engaging ideas
Lead group reviews of creative work, adding perspective and taking direction as needed
Skills:
Online portfolio a must
A degree or training in a related field
Strong conceptual and writing skills across both traditional and emerging platforms
Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and departments
Superior communication, organization and time management desirable
Senior Art Director
Concepts and executes breakthrough work. Consistently delivers top notch art direction and design across all platforms as well as bringing a vision to events and activations. Helps grow junior art directors to do the same.
Responsibilities:
Collaborates across disciplines and ultimately with creatives to concept high impact, integrated ideas.
Ensures that ideas/designs are produced timely, on budget and with the degree of quality promised to the client.
Maintains interaction with digital/social/print/broadcast production and client services on scope of projects.
Directs and guides art directors and writers in the creation of advertising.
Produces all types of clear media.
Delivers internal presentations to senior creative personnel and/or clients.
Remains current on industry trends and technology.
Qualifications:
Five or more years of related work experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
Ability to press check and a solid understanding of photography, illustration, typography, editing, transfer and shooting of commercials preferred.
Communication Ability: Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or regulations. Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public.
Computer Skills: MS Office, word processing, spreadsheets, Internet software, E-mail, Database software, Macintosh software, Quark, Photoshop, and Illustrator
Leadership Responsibilities: Does supervise the work of others.
Senior Designer
Creates eye watering designs across both printed and digital media. Able to create a brand identity from the ground up. Will be responsible for strategically aligning creative concept with strategy, technical specifications, planning and performance analysis. Can demonstrate leadership qualities and mentor by example.
Teaming with departmental peers, writers, information architects and creative directors and developers works to ensure that cross-creative collaboration process evolves into well-developed concepts that meet client objectives.
Education/Work Experience
Web site and/or Micro site design experience.
User interface design experience.
Understanding of Information Architecture.
Experience developing visual standards and guidelines.
Expert in design software on the Macintosh platform:, ie. Photoshop, Illustrator, DreamWeaver and Flash.
Knowledge of CSS and advanced HTML a must.
Knowledge of current rich media technologies and their relevant applications.
A degree or training in a related field (digital design, graphic design, advertising, etc.).
Online Portfolio a must.
Strong conceptual design and typographic skills and the ability to maintain high standards within the group.
In-depth industry knowledge. Clearly understands, and is able to articulate, the limitations and possibilities of the space.
Traditional branding and graphic design experience desirable.
Strong presentation skills as well as professionalism and experience in client service.
Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and departments. Has successfully demonstrated ability to mentor, manage and direct.
Superior communication, organization and time management skills desirable.
For all positions, please email resume and link to online portfolio to Sheila Simpson, SVP HR at: ssimpson@brightgredagency.com
Steve is an art director/writer/designer/CD in St. Louis. All kinds of cool projects on his site—including NASCAR (above). Love his “the me” page, too, including his description of what we do for a living and Menards Home Improvement stores: “For fun I carve out spaces in people’s heads for widgets and services in an over-crowded, post-need, first-world-problem marketplace. Just kidding. For real fun I shop at Menards. The answer to a question nobody asked. What if Cracker Barrel and Home Depot had a love child?” Nailed it.
Sunny is a new art director and a recent graduate of Creative Circus (big congrats, Sunny!). The first campaign on his site is for Southwest and it’s a killer idea. Make the hated middle seat desirable by offering priority boarding for passengers who reserve it. Why hasn’t anyone done that yet?
Erin is a senior art director at R/GA in NYC. So much great work on her site, including the amazing Tide Super Bowl campaign that won everything at every awards show everywhere. Also, don’t miss her campaign for the National Down Syndrome Society. So smart.
Sherlock is a junior art director/brand detective in Los Angeles and a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. Her book is divided into Work (ad projects) and Design, so be sure to check out both. Super fun vibe across all of Shelock’s projects. Looking forward to seeing what she does next!
