Expert: Sean Trapani - 12/4/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sean,

In your correspondence on this site you have recommended including 10-15 different ad subjects in a book.  Is it just one ad per subject?  Someone once told me to have 3 or 4 ad ideas for one subject ... but that person also told me only 5 subjects were necessary.

Cheers,

Tim

ANSWER: Tim

Did you receive my answer to this question?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Sean,

...No, I never received a response.  Regardless, shortly after I sent the question I found the answer a little down the line on your blog.  3-4 ads, 10-15 companies, yes?  Will do.

But now that I have you on the line, may I ask a couple of other questions?

I am in the process of completing applications for MAS, CC, and Portfolio Center.  However, I want to make sure that these schools offer the foundational information that is provided at a traditional 4 year university.  Is this the case with the schools, or do they focus exclusively on the portfolio?
 
And the whammy -'Don't supposed you would be available to provide feedback on creative aspects of the applications ...


Thanks again,

Tim

ANSWER: Hi, Tim

The schools you mention are more along the lines of finishing schools. You're not going to get much training in color and shape theory, drawing (for comp's and story boards), writing dialogue (for TV and radio) and other FOUNDATIONAL areas.

The schools you mention will ensure that you develop a killer portfolio. But, from what I've heard, they assume that you've got an undergrad degree in advertising already - or, you've been in the field for a couple of years.

As far as your application(s), go - I can't give any feedback on the process. That wouldn't be ethical (and fair) to the schools to which you're applying. I would simply suggest that you refer to the school's marketing materials - and look at their celebrated student work - to get an idea on what they're looking for.

Good luck!


Sean Trapani

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Sean,

So if I am trying to break into the creative side of advertising, and all that I have under my belt is an undergrad degree in music (did I mention that already?), would another degree in advertising be the best bet?

-Apologies if what I was asking was unethical.  It was just that I have written about 50 possible responses to a particular question, and I was just looking to know of certain responses were a bit risque.  I think I'll just ditch the ones I am unsure of.

Thanks again for your input.

Best,
Tim

Answer
Tim,

Everybody's different. But the simplest answer is you want a program that starts with theory #1 of mass communication and ends with keyboard short-cut commands in the studio.

From what you've said, it sounds like you'll get more out of a university, full-immersion type of program at either a traditional university or specialized communication school, like SCAD. (I'm biased - I admit it.)

Honestly, whichever road you take, give yourself about two years to learn the basics - and, my personal advice is to get another undgrad degree. There's no reason for you to get a master's in advertising. It will simply be more expensive (graduate credits) and more challenging (professors will assume that you have foundational theory since you're a grad student).