D&AD & the Creative Industry
Task
Platform13 were tasked on global comms for D&AD Shift - a free, industry-led night school for self-taught creatives from under-represented backgrounds in Sydney, London, New York, Germany (Berlin/Hamburg) and Sao Paulo.
Approach
Our insight was clear - the traditional pathways into the global design & advertising industry are inaccessible to people from under-represented communities and there are nuanced reasons specific to each city too.
We believe that access should not be one-dimensional and neither should the talent within it.
We wanted to wrap all the conversations from both the Shift programme and the D&AD, so that we can begin a new, tangible movement which has momentum under a new and cohesive platform aimed at SHIFTING skills, the industry and the barriers.
Output
Introducing #SHIFTCREATIVITY....shaking up the old industry paradigms to benefit self-taught creative talent, creating a fresh system to both access and flourish in the commercial creative industry.
Shifting skills: A direct response to challenges faced by self-taught creatives from under-represented backgrounds to enter the design & advertising industry.
Shifting the industry: D&AD has strong and deep links in the industry and can help to bridge the gap between talent and careers. Additionally, D&AD Shift alumni entering the industry ultimately supports the D&AD vision that creative excellence is achieved through a diverse, inclusive, sustainable industry, making work that's relevant and representative of the communities it serves.
Shifting the barriers: For underrepresented communities, political, systemic and cultural issues stop under-represented talent from both entering and progressing in the industry. D&AD, as a long time champion of creativity is perfectly placed to drive the message that great creative work creates better outcomes for all and that it is a viable career path.