Here are two art director alumni’s websites that represent what I think an art director's website should be. One alumnus is working at AKQA New York. The other graduated recently and has just started the job hunt process.
The first website for Gabe Cheung, art director, http://www.gabrielcheung.com/ has simple, easy, well organized navigation, but more importantly, all his work is great and easy to understand. The dilemma today for grads is how to explain interactive ideas in a simple way that communicates quickly. Go directly to his interactive section and you will see what I mean. JBL and 1-800-Flowers are both great. You don't even have to read the descriptions to understand the ideas - you are entertained; a great presentation. And if you do read the descriptions they are short and sweet. He also has a great balance of print, interactive, design, and video. He shows his versatility as an art director and all the work is smart. Perfection.
The second art director, Michael Wright, also did a great job with his website, http://www.michael-wright.com/. Also note that he is copyrighting his work - very smart thing to do in today’s internet society. Everyone should do this. His website is also easy to navigate and includes some extras if you are really interested in seeing more. He has multiple fully integrated promotional solutions for products and/or companies - we aren't just doing "advertising" anymore. He also has plenty of examples that demonstrate skills without sacrificing good ideas. Check out his Belu Water flash video spot. The work ALWAYS has to be first - the skills second. But when we see the skills demonstrated well, it's simply like watching the puppet show - we are entertained - and thus we know that the puppeteer knows how to pull the strings.
Bottom line, like Nirvana said, "Entertain us." Creative Directors are consumers too - consumers of your book - so entertain them with it! These two guys pulled that off. Kudos!
About Me
- D.C. Washington
- And yes, the name is for real. My first two initials are DC and my last name is Washington. I could go by my first name, but then I wouldn't get all the perks of having a name like a rap artist. Summary of my experience: I graduated from Auburn University in Illustration and Design. I worked in design and had a PR chair of the local AIGA. I wanted to break into advertising as an art director so I went back to school at the Portfolio Center. Then I worked in advertising until I decided to take a sabbatical for the fam. Years later, I decided I would like to be a recruiter, and was given the opportunity to be the director of career services at the Creative Circus. I loved what I did, working with the great creatives in this industry, and helping students connect with them. Then, building on those great connections from all my previous experiences, I stepped out into the world of independent recruiting, where now I help great agencies find the creatives of all experience levels that they are looking for.
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