Hi internet, My name is David Courtney and Ive been in the advertising biz in Buffalo NY for about a dozen years or so as a designer/art director and have had good luck making a living at it. Ive won some awards here and there, which are nice ego boosters but in the long run don't equate to anything more than a trophy or two on a shelf. My work has promoted and produced results for clients-which is the real metric.
In the past couple years Ive left the agency life and have struck out on my own. Its been a great couple of years in that its forced me to take things into my own hands and chart my own course of action. My one weakness that has held me back is my back of the house attitude. In my past life I was a sous chef-working long hours in the kitchen with the dishdogs and night owls. I could be myself in the back of the house and not have to worry if I offended or crossed any lines. Anyone that has worked in a restaurant knows the lines in a kitchen are pretty broad and anything goes. I've seen everything from all out brawls to guys humping legs like dogs in heat. Its all on when you're 3 pages behind and a ten-top is waiting in the wings. All of that got us through the long, sweltering nights in a 120 degree heat, but doesn't work in the white collar business world.
Which brings me here-to the blog. Ive noticed I need to get my thoughts and ideas about advertising and design out to people, or at least out of my head and on 'paper'. I need a bigger voice.
So I hope to talk about advertising I like; that works; that doesnt; that sucks. Ill show things Im working on and hope to get comments from the gallery, answer questions from other businesses and just be honest about advertising and design. I wont always be right, but at least Ill have an opinion.
