Date: Saturday, April 9, 2011
Time: 8:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Roanoke Higher Education Center, Downtown Roanoke
Don’t stress. It’s like an interview without the pressure. It’s a chance to have your work reviewed by real advertising professionals. Get straightforward, constructive criticism and attend workshops on creativity, roles in advertising, and more. Bring your best work, but not your best clothes. Open to any college level student. This event is FREE to AD2 Members and $20 for Non-members. Walk-ins who have not RSVP’d for this event will be charged an additional $5. Possible internship opportunities and applications will be available to AD2 members.
Keynote Speaker:
Mig Reyes – Designer for Threadless
“I’ve worked with some really great design studios and agencies, now happily working as an interactive designer at the world’s most awesome t-shirt company: Threadless. Beyond making the internets and modeling tees, I’m passionate about experimenting on side projects and collaborating with other creative types. I’m into paying positive experiences forward, so I serve as a mentor in AIGA, as well as lecture at colleges and conferences. I also teach at The Chicago Portfolio School, sharing my work experiences with my students.” – Mig
Confirmed Reviewers:
Patrick A. Carrell – Hired Guns Creative
Ariel Clark – tba | PR + Advertising
Erica Gleiner – Hired Guns Creative
John Greissmayer – Neathawk Dubuque & Packett
Jessica Harllee – Modea
David Hungate – Dominion Images
Christina Knapp – Hellow Yellow
Sam Knapp – Exemplum
Chris McAdams – tba | PR + Advertising
Krystal Profitt – Modea
Kris Spelce – Exemplum
Blane Wimer – Chocklett Press
Erin Nolan – Modea
Monica Fritz – ND&P
Aimee Drysdale – tba | PR + Advertising
Kym Davis – ND&P
… more confirmed every minute!
As our largest member and student benefit, the annual event has changed over the years. This year is no exception. With almost 100 students expected, we have had to reformat the event entirely. Adhering to a strict 15 minute schedule in previous years has only limited the students and caused confusion. This year we will be implementing a free-form review process, allowing professionals to mill around a large room and review at the pace that the book and the student determine. Students are guaranteed three reviews but can receive as many as four or five, as opposed to the previous two reviews. Reviews will be completed in two phases, meaning students are not required to stay the entire time. Unfortunately, these details will be given out closer to the event date and are based off of the final RSVP tally. More event details will be released as speakers and reviewers are confirmed. Please check back!
The Ad2 Roanoke Portfolio Review is open to collegiate students that are interested in going into the advertising, marketing or other creative industries. Space is limited to 100 students, and we have already had 70 RSVP. Sign-up is on a first come, first served basis. We usually pack a full house, so please register early!
After you've signed up:
Check-in information:
There will be a check-in desk just inside the main entrance to the ballroom. You should arrive promptly at 8:00am to begin your reviews at 8:15am. There will be coffee and snacks available for the duration of the event.
Directions:
The Roanoke Higher Ed Center is located adjacent to the Hotel Roanoke.
From I-581/US Route 220 heading south, take Exit 5. Turn right onto Wells Ave. Proceed past the Hotel Roanoke on your left. Turn left onto Jefferson St. RHEC is the second building on the right.
From I-581/US Route 220 heading north, take Exit 4E, turn right onto Williamson Road. Proceed south to Wells Ave. Turn right onto Wells Ave. Proceed past the Hotel Roanoke on your left. Turn left onto Jefferson St. RHEC is the second building on the right.
Parking:
During the event, you may park in the parking facility adjacent to the RHEC, which is owned by the City of Roanoke (1) or you may park in the Gainsboro Parking garage (3). You may also park on City streets in designated areas for designated time periods. Read the parking related signs carefully; parking regulations are strictly enforced.
Make sure you DO NOT park in lots 2 or 4, you will get a ticket!
What to bring:
A portfolio - Development stage is welcome and encouraged.
(Note: This can be a work in progress.)
Just bring your best work and be prepared to talk about your thought process. You may present digital artwork on your personal laptop - remember to charge your battery and bring an extension cord, just in case.
Presentation advice:
Never expect your work to speak for itself. In this type of situation, it’s important that you “sell” your work to the evaluator. Before you turn the page or open your document, you should have a mental list of things you want to tell the evaluator about that piece. Tell them how you came up with the idea. Talk about your creative process with the piece. Talk about how you used three different programs to create the design, or how much research you had to do in order to complete the story. You don’t need to give them a thesis on each piece, but give them talking points that will pique their interest. (Keep in mind that in addition to critiquing your work, your evaluator will also be judging your presentation skills.)
Optional: We cannot emphasize enough what a great networking event this can be. That being said, consider preparing and bringing items that complement the networking and job-seeking processes. Such items might be business cards, resumes, leave-behinds and thank-you cards. It is not uncommon for students to offer these to their evaluators, and evaluators are often very appreciative of this effort.