Past Students

Almost 70% of Australian creatives have completed AWARD School.
Completing AWARD School does not guarantee you'll find employment, but it's certainly a step in the right direction. Please check out a few of our success stories below....

David Droga, Executive Creative Director, Droga5 New York
I owe a great deal to AWARD School. As an ex-student it helped propel me in the right direction fast. There are plenty of advertising courses, AWARD School is one of the few run for the benefit of its students and the industry.

Leo Premutico, Executive CD, Saatchi & Saatchi, New York
Having seen what the best ad schools in NZ, the UK and the US have to offer, I can safely say that 3 months at AWARD School is one of the wisest ways for any aspiring creative person around the globe to spend 3 months. It'll teach you what a good idea is, but more importantly it'll train you to dig long and hard enough until you come up with one of the little gems yourself.

Adam Hunt, Creative Director, The Foundry.
I did AWARD School twice.
The first time I dropped out halfway through, because I was completely crap.
The second time I made it to the finish, but failed to get any ads up on the wall.
So I trashed my book & started again.
What AWARD School taught me was to never be afraid of the blank sheet of paper, never settle for the first thought, and never give up.
And that the real work starts once you’ve finished the course.

Matt Eastwood National Creative Director/Vice Chairman, DDB Australia
I was in my last year of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design when I was accepted into Award School. I’d been at University for almost three years. But it was after 12 weeks of Award School that I finally felt like somebody had turned on the light. I understood the importance of ideas. I understood the joy of generating them. I understood the pain of losing them. I understood the power of them. I understood why the first one was never the best. And I understood that the best one could always be better. University taught me about craft. But Award School taught me about ideas. And for that I am ever grateful.

Rebecca Carrasco, Executive CD, CRC (Top student 2002)
Every marketing problem is different, and every solution has the potential to be really original. But most ads aren't great. In fact, most aren't even good. Most ads have no idea. Copywriting and Art Direction are important tools for crafting an idea, but the idea is the glue that holds it all together. Ideas entertain us, they make us laugh, they make us think, and they have the power to change the way we act. It's the idea that creates the audience. That's why AWARD School is the single most important course you can take in Australia if you want to create good ads. It's all about ideas.

 
Steven Iannello (Top Student NSW 2007)
Winning AWARD School was undoubtedly one of, if not the biggest, achievement in my life. It didn't come easy. rom the start I promised myself I was going to give it my all. It was definitly worth it. Three months intense work and no social life was a small price for what I received in return. Not only did I learn how to generate and craft great ideas, I met and was taught by some of the industries finest. It is the only course in the country that is dedicated to idea generation, and in my view - essential if you want to become a great creative.

In the end - not only did I have the beginnings of a decent book, but I had a tonne of fun building it.

 

James Orr (Top Student VIC 2007) JWT Melbourne
I thought I had a pretty fair grip on what an idea was before AWARD School. Apparently I knew stuff all.
As it turns out, ideas are all about sleepless nights, bags under eyes, self loathing, bruised egos, envy, jealousy, drinking problems, pain, suffering and tears. 


Allie Buckle (NSW 2006) DDB Launchpad
Just try to get in without it. Unless you were born a super duper ideas machine you need the initial guidance of AWARD. Learning the process of ideas and being a sponge to brilliant minds is just the beginning. The pressure, the contacts the mentors and the advice, all packed in to a 12 week course. It’s your time come alive and be praised for being different. Imagine a world where you can dream up the craziest ideas all day every day and then come out qualified to be there. Don’t ever be afraid of your ideas, you never know where they’ll lead you. xxx

 

Sally Cunningham (VIC 2006) Grey Worldwide Melbourne
One thing that has stuck with me from award school is this – simple ideas make the best ads, but are the hardest things to find. Award school gives you the resources (best creatives in the country) to show you how you can generate simple ideas and challenge yourself to also come up with original thoughts and produce great, stand out ads.

The course is held in high regard by the industry and a great way to gain exposure to various agencies and potential employers.

It’s an intense 3 months, but once it is over you’ll almost wish you could do it all again. If you want to get into the creative side of advertising Award School is a must.

 

Ben Sampson (Top Student NSW 2005) Clemenger BBDO Sydney
Doing well at AWARD School is hard work. After climbing the drainpipe at AWARD you have to cut through the wire in front of the big window and slide in, being sure not to wake the old man next door. Once you're in, you or your tutor have to find the light switch (three half steps forward and one shimmy to the left), locate the other students’ finished books ready for judging, and f**k them all up.
Whatever you do in AWARD School, make sure it’s different.

 

Chris Shoolman (VIC 2005) DRAFTFCB Melbourne
AWARD School is one of the greatest opportunities to get into the advertising industry. You will be lectured and tutored by some of the best creatives in the business, who will teach you everything you need to know about advertising. After working with these people for 12 weeks, you will have the skills, contacts and ability to go out and land your dream job. I can’t recommend it enough!

 

Gary Showell (NSW 2005)
If you love thinking of ideas you will love Award School. Ideas are everything. You will need to think of ideas instead of doing other things like partying, sleeping or sex. In return you will be shown great ideas by great thinkers and you will discuss great ideas with great tutors. You may even produce some great ideas yourself and get a job where you get paid to think of them.

 

Suyin Sleeman (NSW 2005)
I think everyone should do AWARD School. Not just because it's great experience but because these are probably the best briefs you'll ever get so you have a chance to do some really great work for your portfolio.
You get to work with real creatives and make great friends and contacts. It's hard work, but definitely worth it!