Choosing Brands For Your Very First Advertising Portfolio

When starting off on your journey to become an art director or copywriter, you've got to put together a portfolio of spec work (fake ads for real brands). But how do you go about choosing the right products and services to make ads for? What types of brands are best when you're first learning how to brainstorm? In this video, I talk the Do's and Don'ts behind choosing brands and throw some client-picking methods at you to help you make your selection.
Best of luck and happy picking!

[@jaisingh9141]

You do realise how usefull your videos are don't you. Thank you for making these videos.

[@OpenDoorCreative]

I really appreciate that. Glad they’re providing value!

[@jankishah3900]

I just got introduced to your channel and I am already in love with the knowledge you give. It’s so useful. I am a final year student BFA and your videos really helped me in my campaign. Thank you so much.

[@OpenDoorCreative]

Janki Shah Welcome to the channel! And that means so much. I’m glad I could help. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

[@pallavi2491]

This is incredibly helpful, you don't even know. I really wanna start with my campaigns now but have always been so confused about how to take the first step and this was so helpful. I will definitely revert back to this video and all the other videos mentioned before finally starting. Thank you so much. You are my best source for all the art direction knowledge. 🙌🏻

[@OpenDoorCreative]

Thank you Lavi. That means a lot! I’ve also created a new playlist where I have reordered some of my content in a more linear curriculum. Might help when it’s go time.

[@amrutawani2624]

I'm so happy that I found you and this super amazing channel, it helped me a lot, plus regretting for not getting you sooner. From weeks I'm searching for how to plan a ad campaign because I'm a commercial art student and it was way too difficult to choose a product. Thank you so much😄❤

[@OpenDoorCreative]

So glad and means a lot. Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to help.

[@amrutawani2624]

@@OpenDoorCreative yes definitely😁thanks a lot sir☺

[@sebjacobo9655]

wow the amazon trick is pretty cool. Im currently working on a chewing gum wrapping

[@OpenDoorCreative]

Konrad McCoy ha that sounds pretty fun!

[@gloriag1194]

great insight, tip: change music:))

[@ckevin6201]

Your videos help me alot! Thank you kevin

[@OpenDoorCreative]

So glad. Thanks so much! More on the way.

[@derp9678]

I'm considering going back to school for advertising after having done all the advertising for my Dad's local business the past two years. Turns out I found something I love and enjoy! Advice for entering this field late?

[@OpenDoorCreative]

Hey Timothy! The best advice I can give you is that there is no such thing is late. There are people who find this career after they already had an entirely different one. Everybody's path and journey is much different from one another (I have a series of car interviews on this channel with different ad pros that highlight everyone's unique way into the field). If anything, you have two years of experience that could differentiate you when it comes time to get a job. My advice for now is to stay humble as if you have no experience at all, stay focused to build the best portfolio that you can, and stay hungry even when you hit the inevitable creative block. Best of luck and let me know if you have any questions.

[@derp9678]

Open Door Creative Open Door Creative I have a ton of questions! How beneficial would going back to school be? I definitely don’t have the photoshop/video editing/blender etc skills as any recent graduates

[@OpenDoorCreative]

@@derp9678 It could definitely be beneficial but it is by no means required to become an art director. Everyone has their own path into the career. If you feel like you have the focus and self discipline to build a strong portfolio of advertising campaigns on your own, the no-school route is an option. There are many online resources like skillshare.com and lynda.com that can show you the way in Adobe's Creative Suite. Many go to portfolio school or university to learn the conceptual skills as well. See my video here for more info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3mUe6yGm81-ra8

[@alanlifevlog]

I came across this video on your channel and found the content really useful. I would like to know if you may have videos or resources on how to come up with great headlines / copywriting for ads?

[@OpenDoorCreative]

Design With Alan great question! I don’t have a video on that yet but will add it to the list and try to collab with a copywriter on it. For now, I would recommend looking up best examples in award annuals and such and deconstruct what they did. Did they exaggerate the benefit? Did they make a witty remark/make a statement? Familiarize yourself with how others came to their solve and try to apply similar principles to the brands you are working on.

[@alanlifevlog]

​@@OpenDoorCreative I'll check it out. Thanks.

[@hichamlatrach4502]

this is veryyyy helpful Kevin .. thank you ..

[@OpenDoorCreative]

hicham latrach I’m glad it might help! Let me know if you end up using any of the methods to pick a brand!

[@hichamlatrach4502]

@@OpenDoorCreative the Do and Don't part was gold .. thanks a lot for those tips .. they really helped me pick up some boring brands haha .. you are the best Kevin 💡❤️

[@OpenDoorCreative]

hicham latrach awesome to hear. Let me know how they go!

[@hichamlatrach4502]

@@OpenDoorCreative sure 😻 thanks a lot

[@milos.creative]

This is very useful but isn’t it illegal to use another company’s logo without their permission?

[@OpenDoorCreative]

It’s only illegal for commercial use (running ads as if they’re real). Using it for learning purposes like creating spec ads is fair use and something that every creative does starting out to build a portfolio - the proof that you can build campaigns around a brand. If you’re worried about it, you can always place a disclaimer within your portfolio that the work shown is spec work and does not necessarily represent the views of the company in which it is being created for. Hope that helps!

[@milos.creative]

@@OpenDoorCreative soo helpful thank you so much!!

[@nillaflavor32]

would wix be an appropriate website builder for my online portfolio? or would it be considered unprofessional?

[@OpenDoorCreative]

Wix or squarespace are perfectly good options to build your portfolio!! Unless you are applying to be a web developer, that’ll definitely work.

[@jaisingh9141]

You do realise how usefull your videos are don't you. Thank you for making these videos.