How To Impress At Your Grad Show

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Graduate show time is upon us again. And if you’re among those frantically preparing to showcase your work to the public, the pressure will be well and truly on.

Leading design agencies and noted design leaders are known to peruse the summer shows to keep an eye out for new talent – and this is possibly your best opportunity to impress them. So how do you make the most of it, and make your work stand out?

To get some answers, we asked two D&AD experts to share their honest and unfiltered views. First up, New Blood trustee Tom Manning addresses the issue from the point of view of someone who himself graduated (relatively) recently. Then we hear from someone more senior – L A Ronayne, D&AD trustee and creative director at Stink Studios – who regularly visits grad shows with thoughts of recruitment in mind.

Both, in their different ways, offer a fascinating insight into how the people who matter will view your show, and reveal must-read advice on exactly how to please them.

The private view of my graduate show marked a significant moment. In the space of one evening, I broke out of the cocoon of arts education, emerging as a fully-developed professional designer. Well, that’s how I feel looking back on it now. But the significance of a graduate show can easily be overlooked when juggling multiple projects, preparing to submit a portfolio, pulling all-nighters, and fending offan existential crisis about life after uni. These were all serious concerns as I wrapped up my degree, but in hindsight I’m glad I gave my graduate show some love and attention. It wasn’t just a symbolic milestone. It jump-started my career and it can do the same for you too. Here’s how.

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