WORKING Holiday in London

17.12.06

London 071

Things are normal in my room,
except an unknown packet is found on the floor near the window.

London 070

8:00am on 12th August 06,
I was woken up by a sudden loud sound.

Meeting with Steve Henry who has started at TBWA finally,
is postponed again, to september.
I've been waiting for 4 months already,
there is no difference for another month.
Sigh...it makes me feel like a VUP, very unimportant person!

MSN Conversation with Spencer,
he was the ECD when I was in Ogilvy Hong Kong.
(He claimed to fire me when he saw this portrait of him that I made,
for not qualifying to be an art director.
haha...my dear Spencer, this is the reality, nothing to do with art direction.)

8.12.06

London 068

In western culture, I think they are more generous to praise
and encourage others, they show their appreciation more easily.
That's why I don't dare to be too optimistic.
They said they may find me some projects or
freelance jobs to work on if suitable. Hope so!

I treasure honest comment more now,
I would rather know what am I lacking of.
I wonder how to convince people that I'm a good creative,
I'm more than an illustrator , I'm not a wanna-be-artist!

London 067

Head of Art, such a title isn't commonly found in Hong Kong,
I don't know what he actually does even after meeting up with him.

London 066

At the end, Richard suggests me to call Mark to make an appointment,
he is the Head of Art.

London 065

Juan then calls Richard, Executive Creative director,
to come to see my book. Same same,
he seems to be entertained by my work, he seems appreciates it.
However, there is one thing that I don't understand, why are we stuffed in the corner inside such a big room with such a big table?

London 064

He said if I push further, some of my personal projects are arts.
I randomly say something to response.
To be honest, I've done even more work in advertising,
most are just so crap that I don't want to show him all.

London 063

Juan said he doesn't know what to say after seeing my book.
He said it's culture shock.
He put his hands on head with a sigh, he looks really shocked.
He asked whether I find the big difference between my work and theirs.

Of course! There are mostly one-off jobs in the assembly line method
we use in Hong Kong agencies. Everyone is in such a hurry that they
have no time for concept or brand building.
The only thing you can do is to deliver the promotion message with
some eye-catching executions.
Also, The criteria to choose work to be put in my book,
not because they are big campaigns from big clients, they are just work I like most.

He talks a lot, but I can't understand all. I hear something like
"... to protect you from the world ... keep you fresh ... better not to give you job ... "
what???

London 062

Wow! Handsome guy!!

London 061

Pilgrimage 5

27.11.06

London 060

Juan is the creative director who did Sony Bravia
'bouncy balls' commercial. I really want to tell him
that LOOK ALIKE tv commercial from a SIMILAR product
by another brand from Asia was the CREATION done
by a creative director who comes from England
(and looks exactly like Homer Simpsons).
Such a COINCIDENCE is nothing to do with us (Asians)

I search this from internet. Someone has disclosed the sin.here

London 059

Then I spent certain time to know more about those big names,
and to find out the ways to contact them.
I still prefer to send emails.
Only one of them has replied me at the end, it's from Fallon!

London 058

I become more eager to see how they work in advertising agencies
here in London. It seems that the names in the list are quite important!
As what that nosy man I saw in Tesco said,
I really need energy to keep going.

London 057

21.11.06

London 056

They advised me not to try those big companies,
those we call 4As in Hong Kong,
those where I've always been working at.
I can imagine that they are more or less the same everywhere.
It's also so easy to see crap campaigns when you are watching tv,
reading newspaper or going into the street here.
However, I'm just curious.
No matter it's good or not, it's an experience to me.

I'm meeting kind people again.
I really appreciate their honest opinion.
But I feel even more uneasy now... 'UNUSUAL'...

It's not bad to know how others see you,
to make a self-examination then.
You'd end up being the one knowing yourself most!!

London 055

I think to myself: You're joking!
Your yellow pencils are taller than me when putting together.

London 054

London 053

They said they have never seen such 'unusual' work.
Again, they thought my personal projects are much
stronger than the advertising portfolio.
The problem is that I'm looking for job in advertising.
After a lot of thought and discussion,
they work out a list of names of people who may be interested to see me.

London 052

Skinhead twins?
They seem to enjoy reading my new story so much.
It makes them laugh, though they are in Chinese without English translation yet. I'm ignored. I just stand there all the while as I'm given no seats.

London 051

Pilgrimage 4

London 050

What's more amazing is...
I'm stunned when I see the title from Sarah's reply email the next day.
I take out the leaflet of D&AD congress.
oh, no, this guy was one of the speakers of that president lecture
I went last time, the H of BBH, one of the founders!!!!!!!!

London 049

I'm so nervous. I've got a reply from most people's dream company - BBH. 'Gwen, thanks for sending us your work.
At the moment we don't have any vacancies.'
I think it's another email showing rejection and wishing you good luck.
However...

London 048

This Adam who is going to a factory tour seems to be quite friendly!
We? Will I meet Eve too?

London 047

House hunting and moving have kept me busy for almost a month.
After going to the talks organized by D&AD,
I feel like showing my book to more creative directors now.
I hear from someone again after sending out some more emails...

London 046

A pair of senior creatives replace Tony McTear as the speakers.
When they ask how many people are looking for job,
everyone there raises their hands. Wah! competitors?