Open Shop Review

Open shop is a great opportunity for the students in London to get an inside look at creative agencies. I was fortunate enough to be part of this amazing event. I took route 3 so i got to get a sneak peek into Anomaly, LBi, Splendid and Work Club. Initially I thought they would all be the same in the sense that their working process would be the same. They were all in fact different in working and in atmosphere. Here I'm just posting about the agencies themselves and not there work because this experience was more about their working method and how to get noticed by them etc. But I did put up videos of their work so you can get a glimpse.

Anomaly

First off was Anomaly. What I loved about Anomaly was that their way of dealing with clients is that the way they deal with client was completely different from what I have ever experienced or heard. They actually want to produce great design for their client no matter how much they get paid. Basically they want to make really good design without a huge pay check in mind  as a end result. Even though I am relatively new in this field I found this concept refreshing. They started off as a reaction to bad advertising and they definitely remember that. When it comes to size, even though anomaly is international, it was quite small, which is something I loved about the place. Even though everyone there was at work, it felt like all of them were relaxed and at ease as if at home. I definitely loved the environment there, seemed nice. Nathan Cooper the guy we met was really quite inspiring too, i picked up quite a few pointers, which i will keep in mind for the future. He also has an awesome blog www.rubbishcorp.com, definitely worth a look.

LBi

Round two was with LBi (Lost Boys international (i loved what their name stands for)). From the small cosy Anomaly agencies, we went to LBi's huge building, which was kinda intimidating and scary. Scary in the sense you really realise how big advertising is. I guess everyone was so busy at work it gave a corporate feel and less of a creative one. Though they definitely had a lot of recreational activities, the Foosball table definitely caught my eye. Though they were really big they all seemed friendly, and you could see the huge amounts of stuff going. Another cool thing was that because they were so big they don't outsource, which means every thing happens in front of them and they are continually part of the process. Simon Gill the guy we met there was nice and gave great insight into the agencies, also a great pointer that if you wanted to be hired, get yourself out, get noticed. Work Club added to this concept by showing us how to get noticed.

                          

Splendid Communications

Round three was with Splendid. As soon as I stepped in I loved the atmosphere, their was music playing everyone was relaxed doing their own thing, and we had a wonderful intern there to welcome us, so I was instantaneously comfortable. However when we got to learn more about the agency, we only got info what they had done and were doing and less on how they actually work, which is what we really wanted to know. But we did get marmite crisp yum :P

Work Club

Last but certainly not the least was Work Club. From the red tape at the entrance, to the blackboard wall, I loved the place. It was awesome. When we came in we had crisps and drinks waiting for us. It was a friendly environment. I guess the best part was they had tailored everything for us, especially the presentation,with a little quiz so we got to interact as well. They definitely conquered their audience. The best thing though was they actually taught us how to get noticed by the industry, which was why we were primarily there. I guess if I had to mention a high light for the Work Club it would be the blackboard wall covered with Bart Simpson's blackboard openings, I had to bite my lip to prevent me  from laughing out load, while they were presenting. Definitely my favourite.