Dan Ingham & Stephen Owen

Recently Dan and Stephen came into to do a talk to us about what they both have been doing since graduating from the course in 2007. The first positive they both gained was that in there results they both achieved Firsts and also, they both won D&AD New Blood 'Best in Show' awards.

The first tip they gave us, was that they recommended that we should be in college as much as we possibly can. This was because being in college it allowed us to produce more quality ideas instead of being at home and isolated, also this allowed you to get an input from other students on your ideas to see what they thought of the idea and/or how it could be improved etc.

Both Ste and Dan had the opportunity to showcase there work down in London, which consisted of over 2000 students and there work. They mentioned how this was a great opportunity to them due to the fact that they was able to build relationships with members of companies and more importantly show off there talents to the big companies down south.

Whilst down in London, this is where Ste and Dan both gained there awards for 'Best in Show.' There was over 2000 students which had an opportunity to win this award, which went out to 40 students, but both of them each won an award each which thinking about it is a great achievement - winning two of the same award, the same year, from the same college!

When they both got back from London they both started getting numerous of offers for jobs, but remarkably they both turned them down! The reason to this was that they both knew they could do better than just designing kebab house leaflets. You have to think this was a great decision because with the awards they both just won you'd expect them both to do miles better than that. Also how they both turned down the opportunity for money straight after qualification was a bold move.

After they had these job opportunitys they both decided to look for work placements instead of being stuck inside doing nothing and not using the skills they have. They had placements with such companies as Thoughtful and The Chase. They was both currently on placement with Mark Design and McCann Erickson

Further in the talk they started to talk about there life when they was in college. They mentioned that they both had a strong bond which each other, which is a great asset and this will be a great move because you never know when you might need someone's help in future reference. When they was in college they mentioned how they received negative comments and jealousy - which you wouldnt expect. This was down to how it was always them two getting picked for things, but if they work the hardest, put most effort in etc then they deserve it!