The Australasian Writers and Art Directors (AWARD) School state winners, now vying to become the national top student in 2024, have revealed their next steps to AdNews.
The winners of each state have shared their industry ambitions and learnings from the course for aspiring creatives, including the roles and agencies they see themselves working for in the future.
New South Wales winner Brooke Wiggins is working on becoming an art director. Beyond that, she would love to eventually own her own business.
“My biggest learning would be the importance of innovation in our industry. It’s so hard to cut through and stand out from the crowd, so you really have to flip the box and think differently. It’s also the most fun part of what we do!” Wiggins says.
“Also, diving into consumer sentiment and leveraging channels such as Reddit were such a huge help and something I can’t live without now.”
In five years time, she hopes to be using creativity to change real-life problems on a larger scale.
“I think creative thought goes beyond marketing briefs. It can be used to solve real-life problems and make the world a better place. That’s definitely something I aspire to do.”
Victoria winner Jess Gough is aiming for a role as a creative.
“AWARD School gave me a taste of dissecting briefs, finding new ways in and coming up with fresh ideas. That’s the kind of magic I’m chasing in my next role,” she says.
“I would love to work at an agency where I can grow and build my skills as a creative. An agency that’s all about pushing boundaries and telling a story. One where I can learn from the best and get a real taste of the advertising industry.”
The biggest learning Gough has picked up is to have fun and stay curious.
“The most brilliant ideas often spring from the unexpected. AWARD School taught me to look at things from new perspectives and truly embrace the creative process,” she says.
Online winner Dominique Powe has learned that the best ideas often sneak up when you’re off-duty—like during a quick break, a random phone call, or even while bingeing some trash TV.
“At AWARD School, those out-of-the-blue, unfiltered ideas aren’t just accepted—they’re celebrated. Now, I’m hooked on discovering brilliance in the most unexpected places, always with a cup of coffee in hand, of course,” she says.
Powe is about to embark on an artistic adventure through Europe, soaking up inspiration from the masterpieces in Florence and the vibrant scenes of Portugal.
“I’ll be studying various methods of art, fuelling my creative soul, and gathering new perspectives to bring back with me. Once I’ve absorbed all that European flair, I’m diving headfirst into the advertising world, ready to trade my teacher’s hat for an art director’s chair… well, junior art director for now!”
She’s excited about becoming an art director in advertising, where she’ll get to transform imaginative concepts into standout visual campaigns.
“I’m looking forward to collaborating with a talented team, shaping visuals that capture attention and tell a compelling story. This role will let me blend creativity with strategic thinking, turning bold ideas into memorable advertisements,” Powe says.
“It’s a thrilling opportunity to dive into a dynamic field where my artistic vision can truly make an impact and resonate with audiences.”
For Western Australia winner Sarah Cassell, who is currently on an overseas trip that was postponed due to the pandemic, she’s hoping to hit the ground running upon her to Australia in early November.
“I already miss using my imagination everyday and am really looking forward to cannon-balling back into the world of creativity,” she says.
On where she sees herself in five years time, Cassell just hopes she doesn't stop learning between now and then.
“I hope I can solve the problems that stump me now and can lead the way to unexpected solutions. In five years I see myself deep in the world of art direction and creative direction, working on juicy briefs alongside kind and talented people. I’m not certain who or where that’ll be right now, which might be the most exciting part,” she says.
On her learnings, Cassell could say a lot about the importance of working hard and turning up.
“But my biggest penny-drop moment came from meeting great creatives I admire, and realising they’re people too. Moreover, they’re supportive and understanding people who empower young creatives like myself to learn, stumble, and grow, offering sage advice along the way. This realisation transformed the daunting step into the industry into something very exciting,” she says.
“In terms of creating industry-ready work, I can’t live without the Simple / Interesting / True triangle that was introduced by Ryan Clayton and Huei Yin Wong in an AWARD Masterclass. It is now my North Star when assessing ideas.”
Harrison Coates, Queensland’s winner, plans to head straight into the industry.
“I really enjoyed AWARD School and learning from experienced creatives, and I’d love to be able to work under people like that. I’m also keen to get my hands on some real briefs and see what I can do with them,” he says.
Coates is an aspiring copywriter. He studied creative writing at university and feels like it’s what he’s best at.
“Hopefully that shows in my book, but I’d be happy with any role if it means I can get my foot in the door,” Coates says.
“Simple is best. All the really great stuff I saw in the lectures was so simple that I thought I could have done of that. Of course, I couldn’t have, but I tried my best to keep all my responses easy to 'get'.”
For South Australia winner Albert Hopkins, as soon as he returns to Adelaide, he’ll e joining Showpony as a junior copywriter.
“Whilst I would love to say Creative Director, I’ve learnt a lot from my tutors talking about their careers and how you can get pushed into directions you never thought you’d go - so I’m looking forward to seeing which direction the industry takes me,” Hopkins says.
On his biggest learning about the industry, Hopkins says it’s learning to take every piece of feedback and filter what makes sense to you.
“Whilst all the best ideas come from somewhere so personal; advertising is such a high exposure form of art so you really want to excite as many people as possible.”
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