D&AD is discussing and displaying creative excellence at the top and bottom of adland this month. It has also launched the Next Director Awards, with some serious prizes.
It all began shortly after this year’s D&AD judging week in London. D&AD showed off Australia’s design Pencil contenders and In-Book recipients at Look Upstairs during Melbourne International Design Week.
At Semi-Permanent, May 22-4 in Carriageworks Sydney, D&AD is hosting a discussion between trustee, Tom Uglow, and multi award winning UK artist Kate Moross.
On June 5 at Google, it is holding A Celebration of Homegrown Innovation – where Australia’s and New Zealand’s forward thinkers will talk about what’s next in technology, innovation, online campaigns and brand storytelling.
And on the night of May 22 (UK time), who won what colour Pencils this year – that is, who has achieved creative excellence – will become known. All eyes are on the new Innovations categories with their inaugural Pencils. It is always nice to be first.
Back at home (London) Grey UK is opening its doors to the public May 20-22, as part of the 5th annual Clerkenwell Design Week. Nominations in all the D&AD Awards design categories will be on show – Graphic Design, Packaging Design, Product Design, Spatial Design, Digital Design, Branding, Crafts for Design, Book Design, Magazine & Newspaper Design. Just hours after the event closes on the evening of the 22nd May, the winners of the Pencils will be announced at the 2014 D&AD Awards ceremony at Battersea Evolution.
And that evening, Grey will also be debating the true nature of risk as part of its third Grey Matter event.
“Grey Matter is about providing brain food and inspiration for clients, staff and industry friends by inviting external speakers to debate culturally relevant topics. This time, the theme all about understanding and encouraging risk-taking, which means that every creative worth his salt would, most likely, rather like to be there.
“At Grey London we think it’s time to reframe the debate and change the language around risk. To rebrand so-called “brave work” (a misleading term!) to what it really is: “smart work”. To understand that the only real risk is invisibility. Sometimes the safest choices are the most dangerous ones.”
…So even if you don’t have an invite to the D&AD Pencil presentation dinner, you could still brave the cold and the 23 hour plane flight from Aus and come home with something of value.
YOUNG DIRECTORS, PAY ATTENTION FROM HERE:
If you’re a young director, submissions for the D&AD Next Director Awards have just opened. Directors of any age may enter, providing they have less than two years industry experience as a director. Any work may be entered – from short films to music videos.
D&AD’s Next Director Award partners, MOFILM will showcase nominated work worldwide but if you’re awarded you also get:
- A D&AD Next Director Pencil
- A mentoring scheme from top production companies such as Partizan, RSA Films, Great Guns, Hungryman, Academy Films and Jelly London.
- A production grant from MOFILM
- Appear in D&AD Annual 2015
- Tickets and flights to the D&AD Awards Ceremony in May 2015.
There will be three different entry deadlines throughout the year. The first deadline for completing entries online is 25 June 2014.
Find out what the judges are looking for and what and how to enter here.
