Make your work look VERY finished……even in the advertising category. AJM

Arguing with judges or becoming overly emotional is probably not too good. SK

I think an open mind, being relaxed, and simply having good, cool, work will do it. Be confident and just try to wow the judges best the you can.  Sometimes knowing if your is good is kinda hard at first, but that’s why we get critiques, to help us climb that next rung on the ladder. Get as many critiques as you can, especially from your teachers, which will help the most. Keep working on your project, hang it up on a wall, stare at it, throw darts at it, anything to keep your mind on pushing it. And start working  on it early, that way you’ll have a maximum amount of time to make it your best.  SK

The piece I entered into the Creative Smackdown was only the 2nd ad I ever created. It was torn to shreds. But I paid attention, because the 3rd ad I ever created won a district 6 silver student Addy.  AJM

INTERVIEW FROM PAST CONTESTANT 

The following are the answers from AJ Musial:

1. How did you hear about the CS?
I was in GVSU’s Adclub…found out through them.

2. What was your piece that you had critiqued?
I did a print ad for Gorilla Tape.

3. What did the judges say about your piece?
They completely ripped it.

4. How did you feel while they were critiquing your piece?
I was soooo frustrated. I couldn’t believe they didn’t “get it.” I actually was looking through some old files the other day andI found that piece. Oh my goodness…it was so bad. It deserved to get trashed.

5. Were you nervous at all before you got to the CS?
Very.

6. How much time did you spend working on your piece for the CS?
A lot. Days. Weeks, even.

7. Did you reach it to the finals?
Not even close.

8. How did you feel when leaving the CS?
At first…kinda depressed. But it sparked new ideas and propelled me to work even harder. I remember staying up until 4 or 5 in the morning that same night to revamp my Gorilla Tape ad. I turned it from a poor ad to a strong concept just from watching others at the Creative Smackdown.

9. Was the CS all it was cracked up to be?
More than what it was cracked up to be. Free feedback from some of the best advertising professionals in the state. These are people who’ve worked in the big markets, at places like JWT, BBDO, Y&R, etc., and you get free feedback from them, and plenty of time to prepare for the student ADDY awards which take place at the beginning of the year.

10. Were you surprised by anything at the CS, or was it all explained to you before you got there?
The one thing I would say is that you don’t need to prepare a speech about your work. I thought we needed to, and that’s where a lot of the pre-event pressure came from. Just go in there knowing what you created and why.

11. Has the CS impacted your life at all? If so, how?
For sure. It was my first advertising reality check, andit’s where I found out about the Polishing Center. The Polishing Center is where I learned what good advertising was about. With the knowledge from the Polishing Center, I built a good student portfolio and it allowed me to get into JWT Team Detroit as an intern, something I couldn’t have done without Frank’s help. Now I’m doing some pretty big things…working on national products with bid advertising budgets. Dream come true.

12. Do you have any advise or words of wisdom for the participants at this year’s CS?
Go, give it your best, take the feedback, and grow from it. And if you don’t have anything to present, go anyways. Listen to what the judges say.

13. Any additional comments you have about CS?
It’s a great experience. It may seem like a small scale event, but some of the best advertising students in the area attend it. The kids who win at the Creative Smackdown generally go on to win local, regional, and sometimes national student ADDY awards. You get a sense of what level your job competition is at so you can gauge how far you have to go.