*For questions specifically about tickets, please see our ticket page.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GETTING READY FOR PORTFOLIO NIGHT 7

ARRIVING AT PORTFOLIO NIGHT

DURING PORTFOLIO NIGHT

AFTER PORTFOLIO NIGHT

VOLUNTEERING AT PORTFOLIO NIGHT 7

GETTING READY FOR PORTFOLIO NIGHT 7

I AM SCARED TO GO. IS THIS NORMAL?

Every single person going is nervous — even the ihaveanidea team! No worries. It’s normal.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR BOOK IS GOOD ENOUGH TO ATTEND PORTFOLIO NIGHT?

Send your portfolio (PDF) to brendan@ihaveanidea.org and we’ll tell you. Don’t worry, we’re not looking for perfection, we just want to help you in the right direction.

WHAT IF I DIDN’T GO TO A FANCY PORTFOLIO SCHOOL? SHOULD I EVEN BOTHER ATTENDING?

Absolutely. Lots of successful advertising pros went to portfolio school, but many did not.

SHOULD I BUY ONE OF THOSE REALLY CRAZY EXPENSIVE PORTFOLIO CASES?

Present your work however you like. Presentation counts, but there aren’t any rules. Remember — it’s the ideas that matter most.

I’D PREFER TO SHOW MY WORK ON MY LAPTOP, IS THAT OK?

Yes, and with the increase in digital and interactive work in people’s portfolios these days, we encourage it. There are three things to consider if you decide to show your work this way.

• Be ready to go as soon as you sit down with a creative director. Time is precious at Portfolio Night 7, and you don’t want to waste it by having to load up things.
• Make sure everything you need is on your computer. Wi-fi may not be available at your city’s venue, and you’d hate to have to rely on that to show off your fabulous work.
• Battery life! There might not be a place at the venue to recharge your laptop in the middle of the event, so be sure you’re charged up enough to get you through the evening. Pack a spare battery if necessary.

WHAT SHOULD I PUT IN MY BOOK?

12 - 15 pieces of your absolute best work, work that best represents your capabilities and thinking. Print ads, out of home, interactive, guerrilla, whatever.But remember: quality trumps quantity, and weaker pieces tend to bring the whole portfolio down. It’s  better to have a book with only six mindblowingly awesome pieces than it is to have a book with six awesome pieces and seven or eight mediocre ones.

I’VE DONE SOME ADS THAT HAVE ACTUALLY RUN. SHOULD I PUT THEM IN MY BOOK?

Are they as amazing as everything else in your book? If not, we suggest taking them out. You get no bonus points for “real work” if the real work isn’t tremendous.

WHAT ABOUT STORYBOARDS AND SCRIPTS? CAN I PUT THEM IN MY BOOK?

Again, the choice is yours, but note that in the fast paced environment that is Portfolio Night, creative directors may not have the time nor inclination to pore over storyboards or scripts.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BRING TO PORTFOLIO NIGHT, OTHER THAN MY PORTFOLIO OR LAPTOP?

It’s always good to bring a pen and paper to write down comments to receive about your portfolio. You never know when a particular creative director will give you a crucial gem, and you’ll want to remember it! Résumés, CVs, business cards and leave behinds are also nice to have on hand. And don’t forget a printed copy of your confirmation email!

Also very important: be sure to bring appropriate photo ID with you. Alcohol is served at many Portfolio Night venues, and you may be required to show ID in order to partake.

IS THERE A DRESS CODE?

You’ve been watching too many Mad Men episodes. Wear whatever makes you feel casual and comfortable.

ARRIVING AT PORTFOLIO NIGHT

WHAT IF I ARRIVE LATE?

Latecomers will be accommodated if possible, but priority will go to the needs of those who arrived on time. There will be no refunds for latecomers or no-shows. Do your best to get there on time.

CAN I CHOOSE WHICH CREATIVES I’LL SEE?

Sorry, but no. Upon arrival, you’ll be given a schedule telling you which review stations you’ll be slated to meet at. The creative directors are randomly assigned to these stations. But don’t panic if you’re not scheduled to meet with the creative director of your dreams during your period. Almost all Portfolio Night cities have a final Overtime period, where creative directors are invited to stay and meet with any number of participants. That might be your big chance!

I’M NOT SCHEDULED UNTIL PERIOD THREE. WHAT DO I DO IN THE MEANTIME?

Assigned for the later part of the evening? You’re welcome (and encouraged) to eat, drink and socialize with your fellow young creatives. Make new friends, compare portfolios and psych each other up for what’s to come!

DO I HAVE TO STICK AROUND AFTER MY PERIOD IS DONE?

You’re free to leave after your period, but then you’d miss out on the ever popular Overtime period, where participants are free to meet with whichever creative directors they choose, not just the ones assigned to them. You probably don’t wanna miss that!

DURING PORTFOLIO NIGHT

WHAT WILL THE ATMOSPHERE BE LIKE?

Admittedly there will be a lot of nervous people at the event, but don’t worry, we keep the atmosphere fun!

I’VE NEVER MET A CREATIVE DIRECTOR BEFORE, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO ACT?

Be calm, professional and respectful, but most importantly be yourself. Remember, your not just showing off your incredible talents, but also your personality.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT TO GET FROM THE CREATIVE DIRECTORS I MEET?

Most importantly you should be getting constructive feedback. This is your time with them, so don’t be afraid to ask for it! It is also a great idea to exchange contact information in order to keep in touch in the weeks and months ahead.

WILL I GET A JOB IF THEY LIKE MY BOOK?

Many past Portfolio Night attendees have landed their first jobs as a result of Portfolio Night. Some CDs attend Portfolio Night specifically looking to hire. A few of them even made hires that very night! That said, there are no guarantees that will happen for everyone. Our advice: go, have a great time, make some new contacts and the feedback that will make your book even better than it is now.

AFTER PORTFOLIO NIGHT

DO CREATIVE DIRECTORS MEAN IT WHEN THEY SAY, “KEEP IN TOUCH”?

Yes. Seriously, yes! Especially if they gave you constructive feedback. But don’t forget to take all the constructive criticism you received at Portfolio Night and make your book even better before trying to reconnect with them. Show them that you’re not only passionate about the business, but that you’re also willing to improve.

Oh, and don’t forget to thank them for their time! Even in 2009, a thank you note goes a long way!

SHOULD I FOLLOW UP WITH A CREATIVE DIRECTOR IF I GET NEGATIVE FEEDBACK?

Sure, you might feel dejected if a creative director didn’t like your portfolio, but if they gave constructive suggestions on how to improve, and if they gave you their contact info, don’t be afraid to get in touch with them once you’ve improved.

VOLUNTEERING AT PORTFOLIO NIGHT 7

DO YOU NEED VOLUNTEERS?

For sure! We couldn’t pull off an event the size of Portfolio Night 7 without the help of dedicated volunteers around the world.

While there’s no specific criteria for being a volunteer, we have found that the people who get the most out of it are advertising school students who still have some time to go before they graduate. Portfolio Night gives them a taste of what to expect next year, when they might be attending Portfolio Night with books of their own.

Portfolio Night is also a beneficial experience for public relations and event planning students.

WHAT ARE A VOLUNTEER’S DUTIES?

Portfolio Night volunteers will find themselves deeply involved in the event, whether they are helping to set up beforehand, registering young creatives and creative directors at the door, or helping to control the flow of people in the review areas. You’ll be kept on your toes, but you’ll have a great time!

CAN I BRING MY OWN PORTFOLIO TO PORTFOLIO NIGHT?

Unfortunately you’ll have little to no time to sit down with creative directors for a book review.

HOW DO I VOLUNTEER?

Please contact Rafik Belmesk, Operations, A.K.O.S. of ihaveanidea at rafik@ihaveanidea.org