Creative Bites: David Quinn

DAVID QUINN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR
BLOOM
PORTFOLIO NIGHT 8 DUBLIN PARTICIPANT
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What are you hoping to experience at Portfolio Night?

“I am hoping to experience that tingling sensation on the back of my neck I get when I come across a great idea. I am hoping to experience it at least once during the course of the evening.”

Do you prefer to look at work on a laptop or in a physical portfolio?

“I don’t really care if its presented on the back of envelope with a bookies pen as long as the idea is clear and strong.”

How many pieces should be in a portfolio? How many campaigns?

“This is something I’ve thought about a lot. I think six is the optimum number. Fewer than that (say three pieces for instance) and you can be left wondering if those great ideas were flukes. More than six can be labouring the point a bit and often, in my experience, will start to include some weaker pieces. Six knock out pieces make the perfect portfolio. Six great pieces can often leave me wanting more.”

Economy notwithstanding, is it tougher to break into the business today than it was when you first got in?

“No, I don’t think its tougher now than it was when I first got in. Sure the recent economic down turn has had its effect but I believe that talent always rises to the top. If you are a talented creative then you won’t be left sitting around for long. If anything the recession has brought this into a sharper focus. The most talented people will get one of the fwere jobs. Breaking into this business takes talent and a brass neck. The ability to keep knocking on doors and to get through to the right people.”

What’s the first thing a junior needs to know about working at your agency?

“It all about the idea. The idea comes first, above everything else. The craft, the personality, the presentation, while important, are nothing without a great idea.”

When reviewing a portfolio with a young creative, are you more the type to look at the entire thing before making comments or asking questions, or do your prefer to chat and inquire throughout the process?

“I definitely prefer to look at the entire thing before making comments. This way you get a bettere sense of the person or the talent. While I like to chat throughout the whole process, I never chat about the work until I have seen it all. Sometimes a critical or negative comment early on can lead to other work not being shown. You know that extra piece that’s down the back of the portfolio, usually in the pocket, that mightn’t be as poished as the other pieces but might contain a great idea. “