Moved my blog to: http://www.ihaveanidea.org/blogs/Setareh/

I'll be blabbing over there:)

Today I was thinking about the time where I SWORE that I'd never move to Canada to go to college and putting my family through so much because I refused to come....and now...I'm done.

This is it.... wow. It's funny because I remember saying bye to my high school friends like it was yesterday. I'm not sure if it's funny because I'm shocked? I also remember why I got in this program in the first place 3 years ago.

I never thought I would study anything but film writing while growing up... but basically I took advertising because I thought it might be an interesting job to financially support myself while I study film writing. And now I'm looking back and it feels pretty amazing to know that I can still go back and pursue my real dream now that I'm done college. It's overwhelming to think about.

I'm searching for some of those VERY NERVOUS feelings I had back in September, but it's very STRANGE that I'm not feeling nervous anymore... it's more like bliss and relief.

This program taught me so so much. Not just about Advertising, but myself. I definitely grew up with the experiences it gave me, personally and professionally.

I don't think I'm fully grasping that I'm really done just yet.

Here's the finished poster for the last portfolio class! The four things I learned, the three things I would've wished to learn. :p Had so much fun making this poster!

How sad is television? I’m watching TMZ wow…. it’s sooo trashy- not only do they follow everybody around and invade their privacy while all they want to do is get coffee or go through the airport, BUT THEY MAKE FUN OF THEM AND EMBARRASS THEM. No wonder they get their faces bashed in all the time hahaha.. sometimes it’s sooo ofunny though.

Love VIDEO ON TRIAL, and discovered it only a couple of months ago.

 You know who’s hot? Josh Harnett? But of coarse, VERY BORING. It’s such a shame when hot people are boring. Maybe I should work for TMZ.

 Whatever. It’s either that or paris hilton’s bff show.

The academy awards are coming up, I’m sooo excited, it’s almost like I’m going. I can’t believe these artists and celebrities CHOOSE designers to pick out their dresses, that’s like half of the fun. If I was invited for my work, I’d travel all over Europe and surf vogue.com to find my dresses. Mwahahahah. 

Not your typical "green ad"

Well hello..

I wanted to share this add before anything. It says "The air that cools your home, heats up the world." Not only do I love the idea but also how it's written, and especially how it's placed among air vents.

They've also circled the last air vent to communicate their "Stop Global Warming" message. Thought this was very cool.

I'm missing recent blogs because of many many reasons. Hopefully I'm not the only one.

I can't help but feel how smooth and nice everything is going compared to what I thought this time would be like in the beginning of the year. Confusing sentence. Now that we have 3 days left of school, I've already PRIORITIZED...

1. job
2. finish writing story
3. BUY ELLIPTICAL MACHINE....

So those three will keep me busy for at least another 3 months. Except the job thing would be good if it was longer than 3 months.


So, here's a book I think would touch any woman's life who are all trying to make a bold impression of their life, in terms of their career, families...etc. The book is about sex, and workaholic men and how some women are treated. It's called 11 Minutes, written by Paulo Coelho. It's very smart and emotional.


Anyway, so excited to sleep in.(L)

I’ve been watching tv a lot lately. It’s quite enjoyable actually….I haven’t watched tv like this since the Friends and the Apprentice ended hahaha. I’m serious. I haven’t watched this much tv for a long time.

OH- I’d just like to say the WHISKAS commercials ARE RETARDED. YES, I’M SAYING IT… I LOVE funny people, and funny commercials. But those commercials SUCK. Yah, they do. Hahahah.

Anyway, while I was watching tv I was wondering what tv shows I’d like to be on…especially when it comes to the reality tv shows. There aren’t many good ones. And I wonder when the “reality tv show” era will be over? Probably by 2012????

Okay, I think I’d rock the following tv shows:

1. David Letterman. I’d make him laugh.
2. David Rocco’s Dolce Vita.
3. The Sopranos- I’d be one of the women James Gandolfinni has an affair with. Except I’d last.
4. Extreme Home Makeover- I’d either move the bus, or do their home theatre.
5. Friends: One of joey’s gfs.

Anyway... going to go work on Flash stuff

heeeeere we again....

This whole situation with the economy is really getting stupid. I mean the media in North America is always exaggerating the crap out of every situation... so that's no surprise. But while they keep bringing up the middle class about their excessive shopping habits they continually fail to mention the fact that it's the middle class that

big fight

I'm not exactly in the mood to write. Had a huge fight with a friend..and out of no where. I did not see it coming. Friends are such pests. Everyone secretly knows it's true.

Anyway, here's a 2008 election campaign ad I'd like to share because I LOVE IT, and I the cow ad is supposed to tell you that "Your teeth can hide many things" At first I was like AHAHAHHA....but now I think it's a desperate ad.

But then I'm in a bad mood.

shes broke, but its ok....she hates california, its cold and its damp
THAT'S WHY THE LADY IS A TRAMP....da da dada...

A question has been on my mind for a while now. Whether you're in creative, account or business in advertising and you get that brief...are you supposed to sit there in your chair and think you wanna change consumer behavior? Or SIMPLY WIN AN AWARD?? I mean, there are cases where both happen, but if you pay close attention...even the best agencies do some campaigns that seem to only want to sell. Then they have other campaigns where it's clearly more about the artistic appeal of it than business; meaning it may not have brought in amazing profits for the client but it won beeeeautiful shiny awards :).

I just find it very interesting... because it somehow can decide the fate or your creative. It shouldn't, but I feel like if you have to bring in a 25% profit for the customer versus win an award the creative can go into two very different directions.

Besides that, what can I say? We're almost done. As excited we all may be I don't think it will sink in until late March. I have a feeling at one moment it'll just be like...holy sh*t.. I don't go to school anymore. That's me, always with the drama.

I tend to look for talented people with no interest in advertising. They're often exes. I've hired an ex-architect, an ex-comedy writer, an ex-engineering with a PhD in psychology, and an ex- pyrotechnician. One guy had a clothing label, and a couple of years ago I just missed hiring a Swedish team with their own brand of breath mints. People like that don't just put their thoughts in portfolios for other to admire: They have enough faith in their own ideas to make them real. - Brian Miller.

That was from a creative director who was asked "What he looks for in juniors," taken from the book "Pick Me"

I loved reading this so much. It almost gives you a slap in the face, especially at this time when 80% of the time I feel like I'm thinking about my portfolio and pretty much neglecting my writing.

Is it just me or is time going by slower than usual? It's usually going too fast. Anyway, sooo disappointed that we didn't get to see Nancy Vonk. I don't know who else is disappointed. She sounds smart and genuine in her book, and she's also intimidating in a good way.

Anyway, since I've been working more on web stuff I've come to appreciate being able to draw and develop graphics, especially for layouts. I mean I'm trying to stop going on gettyimages to look for photographs, and try other styles.

I just recently learned how to draw perspective pictures. I had to draw a living room and a kitchen. It felt so amazing because I was never a talented artist. Taking this work shop was one of the best things I've ever done and I hope I get out of the habit of just wanting to find pictures.

Well hello,
it's been a BIG FEW DAYS. So many things have been happening. I haven't been writing because as MUCH as I love to write, everything was so hectic that even when I came to write I was so tired so my blog would've been reeeeally boring.

Anyway, so I've been researchin Dubai for HOURS and hours for the past few weeks. It turns out that if you go there to LOOK for a job, it's going to be hell since rent is very very expensive. However, if they see my work while I'm here and I get hired, or transfered from a certain company there's an 85% chance that they'll offer me a furnished house UP TO 6 MONTHS, until I get my own place.

Also, one should try their best to BUY an apartment/house versus renting one. Buying is much cheaper in the long run. I've never been there, which is weird because it's so close to my home lol. All I can say about advertising is that I'm really busy with the portfolio :) I'm too exhausted to explain :p

Ahhhhh, 3 more weeks....????? Really???

IMC?

Besides my portfolio, I'm thinking of taking some of my IMC work to my next interview.
Maybe that seems silly, but I took both IMC's this year really seriously in terms of focusing on the target market, buying behaviour and what the brand "needs." I enjoyed it so much that I spent HOURS doing the reports LOL. So, I've been preparing the ones I wanna take in and I'm excited because I want to show them that I don't JUST have to do Advertising.

I'm 21 so I'm not going to be strict on a career path since I don't know what's out there for me.

The only thing I'm certain about is doing my scriptwriting class for the rest of my life......? and.....
hmmm... Here's a part of an old song I love, written by John Lennon.

"There may not be much difference between Rockeffeller and you, if we hear you sing.
There may not be much difference between Rockeffeller and you, if we show our dreams"


-goodnight!

"Studies reveal that the gay community is quite open to innovation and is often considered A LAUNCH PAD for new trands in fashion, interior decoration, and music. Gays have better-than-average buying power and this market is an excellent testing ground for marketing experiments. The boxer shorts launched by Calvin Klein are just one example. Gay New York men first adopted this kind of underwear, before heterosexual men jumped on the wagon. "

I was reading this through one of my Marketing books, and it's so interesting because I don't think that we've worked on a gay target market at school. It's especially interesting to learn that they're a "testing ground" type of market. It's interesting that we havent' studied them before, because they seem to have a spontaneous outlook.

Oh no, I missed a few days?
We have to write 2 new short stories for my script writing class, and turn the BEST ONE into a script. So, I'm going to try to do two really good ones so that the script will come easy. The problem is I started thinking of the script BEFORE thinking of the actual story.

The first one is about a 65 year old successful American CEO, who's retiring. But he's reflecting back on his life, and all the little incidents that he had missed.... like all those songs his ex-wife used to play him on the piano, or all the places in the world he went to...but never truly took the time to really BE THERE...etc. It's turning out pretty great, I'm so proud but I think I've written too much for a short story.

But I like the second one the most because it's never really been done before, and it's not exactly a movie with a full written plot, which is interesting because I can still get the point across to the audience. Hopefully it works out but I won't say what it's about haha

In terms of Advertising? Here's what I've noticed within some ads, particularly RETAIL ads.
It surprises me that some of these retail brands, who are doing so well, don't use a mix of races within their ads. I think it's a great way to broaden your customer base, since people can relate to the people in that ad. For example, putting a Mexican boy beside a Japanese girl. You know? How often does it happen. It happens sometimes, but I don't think often enough.

I should call their photographers and suggest it, :D

I'm trying to upload one of my ads, and it's not working... But I got to upload this writing, it's become one of my favorites.
Good news :) I got two new interviews, but one of them is more like a "tour" and I'm just speaking to a really cool guy. The second one is an interview in February... so I'm SUPER excited and looking forward to it.

Except I really need to go excercize, so that just in case somethings go wrong (u never know with me) , I'll still feel good about my body and clothes. Anyway, my friends decided to do a party tomorrow and I'm taking two salads... so I'm gonna go make them.

:D

I tried to post a few very cool guerilla pieces that I saw today...but for some reason it would only upload one. Maybe I should try harder. Anyway, not much to say... I'm going to my DOCTOR AGAIN :( I've been seeing this man for TEN YEARS, and every time I've gone..... it's been like a MIME office...I talk, but then he says nothing, just listens... so I stop talking. Then he still doesn't really talk and writes me the EXACT SAME PERSCRIPTION as the last time.

Doctor I'm puking: iron pills.
Doctor I'm bloated: iron pills.
Doctor I'm puking, but with a migrane this time: iron pills. I don't even think he hears me anymore.

au revoir (L)

Guerilla...etc. Why can't I upload more than 1?

This  is a a guerilla piece, done by Leo Burnett in Puerto Rico.

Well hello,
it's been such a LONG weekend. Not in a good way... I spent a few hours sweating and puking.
I was mostly laying down. Today was a really beautiful day in Washington and I wish I could've been there. It was special when Obama chose to walk for about ten mins.

It's pretty special all over the world, especially in third world countries such as my own. My mom always tells me that during the 50's and 60's our people loved any opportunity to go to the U.S. It was such a nice change to see so many people supporting one man, without any protests.

I'm also realizing that we have about 4 weeks left of school. When I thought about it in September, I got nervous and started thinking about a million things. Ironically I'm calmer than the fall now, and I feel ready and so peaceful. LOL ...And I never get high.

I didn't think I'd feel so okay with it. I kept thinking I just turned 21, I'm too young.... but none of those feelings are there anymore.

I think networking with people helps a lot. Because you talk to people who have become stars in this industry, and they've always made me realize that they needed help once too, and they too were being weird and nervous about this whole process when they were my age. The people I've talked to have been SO HELPFUL and human about whatever I wanted from them. That's another reason why I can't wait to start working.

I've been looking at too many web portfolios. It seems sooo much more LIBERATING than print ads, in terms of how much personality you can give your projects. There are some great stuff online, but I have a feeling it's going to get better in a few years...

I enjoyed looking through this guy's set up and the way he explained his branding/web work: http://madebygiant.com/_webapp_131726/Kill_Photography LOL he's trying to sell his team's work online by saying the funniest things, like "Making you GIANT, Makes us GIANT - We know it's cheesy " hahahahaa.... oh vidal sassoon. He also says this:

We have worked as independent freelancers, where...
– we were lonely
– we had no one to toss ideas around with
– we were limited to our own particular expertise

I almost wanna give him a hug. Humble people are beautiful. Anyway, there's also this web site and it can be a little confusing, but it's really interesting. There's a lot to show. Like I said, even though we've been mostly studying the print type of advertising, web is so much more fulfilling because as long as you know what you're trying to sell, and who you're selling to -it's so flexible, and constantly CHANGING. The interactive aspect of it almost makes you forget that it's marketing OR advertising.... :)


Frasier's on!

Hi,
I think I need to blog during the day on Fridays and Saturdays from now on.
I've made a fool of myself in regards to my internship opportunity. This is what happens when you don't focus on ONE thing, and your head is in 5 places at once.
I'm not even going to get into the story. I'm going out for wine. The snow is soooo pretty tonight.

JOLIE NUIT, I think that's how you say "pretty" in French. Maybe not. But for some reason I feel like white wine and I don't really drink that in winter. Besides my EMBARRASSING internship story, I have nothing to say about Advertising, collateral, web, marketing, OR ANY OF IT.........

Except that I love it and I'm really excited mwahahahah. Byyyyyyye..

Goodnight Toronto

In Toronto. Can't fall asleep. Had to drive my mom here for the usual English translation for her appointment. It's sooo odd I'm sleeping on my friend's brother's bed because she can only fall asleep on her own bed. What if he walked in with his gf?? oh God. At least the bed will smell nice.
I'm going to miss tomorrow's class, and if the weather is bad I'm going to brunch until I can drive :D

Before I say anything else watch this tv spot for Andy Warhol's art gallery in London: http://adsoftheworld.com/media/tv/queensland_art_gallery_andy_warhol_exhibition_isle_62
There's nothing outrageous or so clever about it, I LOOOOVE that it's so subtle. With most tv spots there's usually that big climax. I thought this one was so "quiet"... nice change.

Anyway, I've been searching a few brands and their background. Like Budweiser, Disney, MTV, Kodak... OH! and I found this book on the Gucci dynasty.... yeah I know, they're actually a DYNASTY. And their family stories are worst than my own, just horrible... hahaha the writer spent waaaayyyy too much time back stage. Anyway these BRAAANDS. I know I'm not really experienced yet, but it seems like taking care of a brand is like taking care of a child....except it's much harder.

If you think about it, the mistakes literally cost a lot of money, ur reputation and the WORST thing that could happen to a brand is when other ppl's brands are BETTER.....that's like finding out all these other children are going to make it in the world and yours won't. Anyway, I'd rather take care of brands than actual children. Their history is really interesting too...it just makes you realize how many people have worked tirelessly for years to keep up with the market.
I've written too much again.


Off to watch the Sopranos.

NY?

A few really weird incidents in the past two days got me thinking about NY. I try not to think about a place that I miss because missing a place is DISTRACTING, then you find yourself thinking "If I was there right now, I'd be doing this...." etc. I've visited a few cities in the world and it's almost paralyzing when you have to leave. And not everywhere I've been..but I find some places do that. Then when I've left to come back to Canada there's always a big hole in my tummy.

See? I DO try not to think about it :D

I keep looking at all the pictures and thinking to myself the next time I go back to Europe, or New York I won't be a student.... AHHHHH...I think that's what I'll miss. Because you can always go back, but all the money, food and hotel issues won't be as funny.... you know?.. And I only mention NY state because it should be its own independant region away from the U.S.:D

So yeah, hopefully these weird incidents stop. But it was a beautiful distraction for the time being. I found a few print ads today that I liked. I posted the two above bcuz of the imagination that's used and they were done in Montreal, I just can't remember where.

Bye for now (L)

It's not as bad as it looks

hellooo, yay the blog isn't as lonely anymore. lol.
I wanted to go down the list of the blogs and see everyone's but then I went to my writing class, watched tv then went to walk my puppy. Wow, every major job search engine I've gone through is full web designer/programmer positions. We've worked with the Adobe programs for a while now, but the labor still seems so intense no matter how beautiful the design is.

Grrrr I got mad at my bf because he was teaching me Flash coding and I told him u're going too fast... and he wasn't. So then I realized I'm not catching up because it's overwhelming and I'm intimidated by him. I know I need to grow up. (no, I didn't mean my height) :D

Flash is like the older, MUCH PRETTIER sister... and it takes years for u to learn what she already knows. I don't even have a sister.

Whatever. I'm so excited, Sopranos is starting soon. What else?...My neighbor's daughter was asking me random survey questions today and she asked me "How I want to die" .... it's retarded, but so interesting. I've never thought about it. I know I definitely want to die in Italy...as the location. I guess in my home, but in the Spring....so everything smells nice in my garden and I have thin bed sheets and it's all elegant. In my bed, OR while in a dark movie theatre mwahhaha. romantic. If I have a child or grandchild I'll force them to blog so u guys can find out how I died !

I better have an internship done by then. Byyyyye

I think I've ruined my camera:( It's been everywhere in the world with me and I've done something to it.... now I don't feel like writing.

I did a web page for this script I'm doing in class, it's called All the Pretty Girls. and Thaaaat's the picture I'm using. I want to post it up but it won't let me.

damn it, I'm 18 mins late for today's blog.

By the way the beautiful picture is from Rome, my favorite place to be in. A part of me is there.

Anyway, I have beautiful news if anybody would ever like to travel abroad to Dubai. My bf and I have done like 18 hours of research for working abroad. He does interactive web and I'm hoping to be useful in some area LOL. After going through a lot of headache and looking for residential areas, and converting their money to Canadian dollars we finally decided that we should just give up. Never research for unknown and foreign countries on the internet.

So, then he called up a recruiting agency in Dubai and apperently a lot of the companies offer furnished housing for up to a year or 6 months or something. Plus no taxes, plus... really good money. I feel that it's too good to be true, and we'll buy a home and toilet will end up not working.... or something might go wrong. It's not just about the money, right? Wrong. :D So it's a big weekend. Now I'm watching Rocky fight Mr. T and looking up Mexican decor online.

Kay, I'm finally going to post. ciao.

Read much?

honey I'm home. Are we supposed to tell our friends to read these? Cuz I feel lonely. lol
I'm looking for Neil French's book. Trying to read more these days :D I've seen his name mentioned in the books I've read a lot but I never actually looked him up until yesterday. The guy's fuking facinating... for example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik3kHsmspiI
....... you watched that right?

........well I'm pretty much done reading all about his life and I don't see the actual NAME of the book. Anyway, this is also fun... Nancy Vonk, creative director at Ogilvy decribes interns "like the morning dew: Some settle on roses and some settles on dog crap. Let the quiet ones leave. And give the noisy ones a chance.
hmmm...Just something to keep in mind.

I should put stuff on my blog. I could quit my job and do that.... omg Raf, if you're reading, it's time to go watch the Sopranos.

Oh look, first blog of 2009. I wonder if Raf is actually gonna read all of these.
Classes have been interesting so far, except print production. I respect the job very much, it's so detailed but really who wants to spend the best years of their lives battling with cmyk codes???
I'm an ass.

Also confused about whether I should spend the next few months and the summer focusing on web... I'm falling in love with web and it scares me. Strange things happen :D

well anyway, so you know how Burger King's brand had been pretty much the same thing for a few years? Plz click this awesome documentary by done by Crispin Porter... these guys are so smart. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njsvXY3kI6s&feature=related

sexyyyyyyyyyyyyy, test. test.