The skills that I learnt over the three days were incredible. I am a huge Adobe fan, but unless you play around with their software for a while (or go to classes to learn how to use it) then it can be quite difficult to figure out. I made sure to listen very carefully to them all, and I feel that while I don’t exactly how to use all of the programs, I do have a bit of a heads up.
I also learnt how an advertising agency runs – and it was completely different to my expectations!
The type of computer they all used were Macs, which was hard at first, because I’ve only used Macs once or twice before. It was a little bit hard adjusting to the different keyboard, too. Since I use a lot of keyboard shortcuts (alt-tab, ctrl+c, etc) I found myself opening the wrong programs, or even closing things I was working on.
I also received very positive feedback from Mark Wilson, and upon handing me my evaluation sheet told me I owed him a beer for all the nice things he said!
I also received a lot of valuable knowledge about what it takes to get into the advertising industry. This experience really opened my eyes to something that I had never considered before. Friends and family members often told me I should go into advertising and graphic arts, but until I performed work experience I had never wanted to get into that industry.
Now that the work experience is complete, I am wondering what I should do next year at uni. I thought I was pretty set on doing an arts degree in English and history, but the experience at Wisdom was fascinating, and really gave me a new perspective.
I learnt a lot at Wisdom – from what a vector is, to what are the best programs to use for what activity. I was somewhat surprised (but not really...) that they only used adobe products, which was a relief, because my programs are mostly adobe. It reinforced in me that Adobe make reputable products that can be used for many multimedia reasons.
I also learnt that Mark Wilson is a little bit afraid of my dad.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wednesday 18th November
Today I went back on the computer set aside for me. I began to learn more about the organisation. Mark was the boss, who everyone reported to. Then there was Mel and Scott, who were both somewhat like ‘Senior Media Officers.’ Mel ran the left side of the room, and Scott ran the right side. Before an employee could sent a version to a client, Scott or Mel had to approve it first.
I also learnt about the organisation, and their services. They are a full service organisation – so they offer full campaigns, from television ads, to billboards and posters and radio ads.
It also seemed as though everyone specialised in different areas. There were around 3 graphic designers (at the most), two web editors, and some footage editors, as well as some other people who I didn’t get to meet.
With each new person that I met, I asked them how they got into the business. Everyone I asked had studied graphic arts at university.
I had a final meeting with Mark, who was very nice, and talked to me about getting into advertising. He said I had a talent, which was very nice!
He told me to print out what I’d been working on, so they could all have a copy, which was exciting.
And then my day ended, which was sad! I was having so much fun!
I also learnt about the organisation, and their services. They are a full service organisation – so they offer full campaigns, from television ads, to billboards and posters and radio ads.
It also seemed as though everyone specialised in different areas. There were around 3 graphic designers (at the most), two web editors, and some footage editors, as well as some other people who I didn’t get to meet.
With each new person that I met, I asked them how they got into the business. Everyone I asked had studied graphic arts at university.
I had a final meeting with Mark, who was very nice, and talked to me about getting into advertising. He said I had a talent, which was very nice!
He told me to print out what I’d been working on, so they could all have a copy, which was exciting.
And then my day ended, which was sad! I was having so much fun!
Tuesday 17th November
On Tuesday I began my day at the same time, 9:00 am. The day before I had learnt that their typical day went from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with an hour break for lunch. I sat down and observed some more people. One of the people I met was named Gary. He was the resident graphic artist, and it was fascinating to watch him on photoshop and InDesign (both Adobe programs).
After a while of that, Scott suggested I try to come up with new ideas for the briefing. He also briefed me on another campaign – driver fatigue.
I spent some time on that in their accountant’s room. The office wasn’t divided into rooms, but there was a wall slicing the area down the middle, from when they had tried to expand. Mark Wilson had his own office, as did the accountant. I used the accountant’s office. However, around midday I was moved to one of the new stations that had been erected the day before. Mark suggested I try to make mock-ups of the campaign ideas I had come up with. He was quite impressed by how much I knew about photoshop, and what I was able to do with it.
I was struck by the friendly, relaxed atmosphere in the office. Though no one slacked off, they still found the time to enjoy everyone else’s company. I was also impressed by how good everyone was at their job.
After a while of that, Scott suggested I try to come up with new ideas for the briefing. He also briefed me on another campaign – driver fatigue.
I spent some time on that in their accountant’s room. The office wasn’t divided into rooms, but there was a wall slicing the area down the middle, from when they had tried to expand. Mark Wilson had his own office, as did the accountant. I used the accountant’s office. However, around midday I was moved to one of the new stations that had been erected the day before. Mark suggested I try to make mock-ups of the campaign ideas I had come up with. He was quite impressed by how much I knew about photoshop, and what I was able to do with it.
I was struck by the friendly, relaxed atmosphere in the office. Though no one slacked off, they still found the time to enjoy everyone else’s company. I was also impressed by how good everyone was at their job.
Monday, 16th November
I turned up to Wisdom at 9:00 am on Monday. I met Mark again, and he took me on a tour of the place. He introduced me to his staff as we walked.
It surprised me that the workplace was so small. I had expected it to be in an office building. Instead, it was in what seemed to be the bottom floor of a townhouse, re-modelled to suit their needs. I later found out that he rents out the upstairs rooms. There were also about 10 (and no more) employees in the organisation. Mark did mention part-time employees, but I never saw any of them.
When I arrived, builders were in the office, setting up another desk (in an attempt to have more workers in a crowded space!). I was introduced to Scott, who seemed to be one of two second in commands. He talked to me and gave me a briefing, and asked me to come up with some ideas.
I did. They were rubbish.
Then they let me watch the employees at work, which was really interesting. I got introduced to a woman called Jo, who was designing a website for a client. Then I got introduced to a man named Joseph, who was editing an ad for Honda city motors.
It surprised me that the workplace was so small. I had expected it to be in an office building. Instead, it was in what seemed to be the bottom floor of a townhouse, re-modelled to suit their needs. I later found out that he rents out the upstairs rooms. There were also about 10 (and no more) employees in the organisation. Mark did mention part-time employees, but I never saw any of them.
When I arrived, builders were in the office, setting up another desk (in an attempt to have more workers in a crowded space!). I was introduced to Scott, who seemed to be one of two second in commands. He talked to me and gave me a briefing, and asked me to come up with some ideas.
I did. They were rubbish.
Then they let me watch the employees at work, which was really interesting. I got introduced to a woman called Jo, who was designing a website for a client. Then I got introduced to a man named Joseph, who was editing an ad for Honda city motors.
Finally, I went back to Scott and told him my ideas, and he very politely didn’t laugh at me.
It was a fascinating day all in all, and I very much looked forward to the next day.
Organising Work Experience
My first thought after hearing we were to perform work placement was to complete it in a publishing house. However, after scouring websites for contact information, I learnt that they were all either too far away (most were in North Sydney) or they were not accepting work-placement students. I also searched through non-major publishing houses, but many of them lacked contact information, or I had never heard of them, or they were very niche, and specialised in, say, self-help books. A few days later, I was talking to my uncle about my course and what I wanted to do after I completed the course, and he informed me that he worked in a publishing house (though not as a publisher). He promised to chat to some people at work, however I never heard back from him.
I then rang my sister Lisa and her husband Jason, and asked about performing work-experience at their workplaces (American Express and Dexus respectively). Lisa works as a marketing manager, which would have been wonderful. Even though they work in Sydney, they also live in Surrey Hills, and I could have stayed with them (though I didn’t fancy the idea of staying with my sister for a week). Again, however, I never heard back from them.
I then talked to my father about performing work experience with him at his work. He didn’t seem too keen on that idea (probably because I’d annoy him!), and he thought it might be more appropriate for my course if I performed my work experience at a media-related business. He offered to talk to one of his business associates, Mark Wilson, who runs Wisdom Advertising, and whom I had met a few times. Wisdom Advertising does more of the advertising work for my dad. I was a bit apprehensive about that, as I had no idea what an advertising company did in their workplace, and my dad’s business associates kind of intimidate me. However, I gave my father the dates; he asked Mark, and Mark agreed.
All in all, I managed to sort out my work experience within a few days.
I searched quite a few websites, however these are the main ones I was interested in:
People I contacted:
I used the Internet to research the publishing houses. However, as all of my other options were obtained through family connection, I didn’t use the Internet to research these companies. I talked to my sister and my brother-in-law over the phone and several times in person, however I gave up on that avenue because my sister is hopeless with getting back to people. And finally, I used the telephone when talking to Mark Wilson.
Their website can be found here.
I then rang my sister Lisa and her husband Jason, and asked about performing work-experience at their workplaces (American Express and Dexus respectively). Lisa works as a marketing manager, which would have been wonderful. Even though they work in Sydney, they also live in Surrey Hills, and I could have stayed with them (though I didn’t fancy the idea of staying with my sister for a week). Again, however, I never heard back from them.
I then talked to my father about performing work experience with him at his work. He didn’t seem too keen on that idea (probably because I’d annoy him!), and he thought it might be more appropriate for my course if I performed my work experience at a media-related business. He offered to talk to one of his business associates, Mark Wilson, who runs Wisdom Advertising, and whom I had met a few times. Wisdom Advertising does more of the advertising work for my dad. I was a bit apprehensive about that, as I had no idea what an advertising company did in their workplace, and my dad’s business associates kind of intimidate me. However, I gave my father the dates; he asked Mark, and Mark agreed.
All in all, I managed to sort out my work experience within a few days.
I searched quite a few websites, however these are the main ones I was interested in:
- Harper Collins
- Pan MacMillan
- Angus and Robertson
- Random House
- Penguin Books
People I contacted:
- James Halloran – Did not respond
- Lisa Halloran – Did not respond to my calls
- Jason Rowlings – Informed me that Dexus was not taking on work-placement students
- Michael Halloran – Contacted Mark Wilson for me
- Mark Wilson – Accepted
I used the Internet to research the publishing houses. However, as all of my other options were obtained through family connection, I didn’t use the Internet to research these companies. I talked to my sister and my brother-in-law over the phone and several times in person, however I gave up on that avenue because my sister is hopeless with getting back to people. And finally, I used the telephone when talking to Mark Wilson.
Their website can be found here.
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