D&AD New Blood went brilliantly this year. I know it's taken a week to post this update but I've been trying to get the photos uploaded unsuccessfully. Set-up went smoothly. The A0 Concept Boards were perfect for the space. The stand was in a cracking position as well - Staffs had a full run to ourselves. The first surprise happened when we came back into the hall after judging to see we'd won a "Best New Blood". Turns out it was for Adam and Dan's portfolio - well done lads. Graphics won two and Animation one - a fact that went down well when the awards were handed out by Michael Johnson from JohnsonBanks.
Private View was busy, and Olympia is spacious enough to handle the volumes that walk through New Blood. Interest from industry could lead to work for the students there. A group called shellsuit zombie approached our lot and challenged them to a face-off with the MA lot from Falmouth. This entailed tackling a brief for Lucozade Energy over 30 minutes and pitching to a group of spectators. And, oh yes, we won. Shib put in a sterling performance - captured on video for posterity.
The workshops and portfolio reviews were the same as ever with positives and negatives all round. Chloe and Shib got to meet John Sayers who has been a great mentor to Ollie and Pip from last year. Hopefully she'll benefit from knowing him as well.
London was hot, but the space was lovely and air-conditioned. Well done D&AD for a cracking New Blood. Onwards and upwards for next year.
I can't get the photos up so here are links to my Facebook galleries:
Best New Blood
Photos
