Friday, July 3, 2009

Hyper Island Admission Days

Last week I attended the Admission days at Hyper Island in Stockholm for the Interactive Art Director course 2010. It was pretty neat. I booked a hyper cheap hotel quite next to the school which is a bit outside the city center of Stockholm. The whole thing started at 9.oo o'clock in the morning, after we were greeted and divided into groups the first thing to do was a creative test. Two and a half hours to identify ten common needs people have, pick one of them, explain it and create an interactive idea around it that would fulfill that need and make people happier. Great start for the first day in Sweden. My concept was based around the need of people wantng to experience new things – like trying new food. A service called 'Eat the Frog' that helped people with accquiring a new taste. It was good fun to work on.

The next step was a presentations by students who are doing the course at the moment, telling us what the school is all about. I was surprised by their methods, there are no teachers, no classes and no books. It' all about active participation and learning by experiences. It looks like there will be no spec briefs, all or most of the work done for the course will be created for real clients and have real value. After this session with a lot of questions and answers the next part was the interview process. Mine was with a current student (they always seem to involve students in everything) and an external consultant. 20 minutes with them in a room, I tried my best. The second day started with the easiest part of the process, a written English exam. Afterwards was the way more exciting part, the outside bit. Which was all about team work and self reflection. Very demanding but the best example of what the school will be like.

I think they had around 90 people there, and this was already the third round of admission days. Of all who applied only a third will be taken on. I got my result earlier this week, I got admitted to Hyper Island.

18 comments:

Jonathan said...

Well done Wal. I admire your 'never say die' attitude. Hope it works out for you.

seb said...

well done, mate. when will you start?

Anonymous said...

Amazing. Great news Wal, I'm sure you're chuffed.

Does this mean the blog will continue as creative in Stockholm?

Unknown said...

Very well done mate, congrats. Think you will have an amazing experience!

Good luck with everything.

The Idea Bakery said...

well done matey! seems a blumin tough process!!

two guys from hyper won a pencil last night at D&AD awards. good stuff!

have a good time in stockholm!
when do u start?

Anonymous said...

Everyones so blonde.

Well done

Mike said...

Well done mate - I've heard it's tough by anyones standards.

I won't ask the same question as everyone else, but I will ask if this is what option you've decided to take now then?

I'd imagine the simple answer is yes, but there was no, so that's it I'm off to stockholm :D

Anonymous said...

Bye bye Wal?

You didn't sound overly excited about it just 'I got admitted to Hyper Island'.

I hope you're pleased and if you go, you come back to London refreshed for your first advertising job.

You never know, you might find yourself staying in Sweden once you've studied there.

Well done, enjoy some celebrations in the sun. Certainly sounded like a tough process and plenty of competition.

Keep us posted on your plans and hope you keep the blog going, whatever it is you decide to do.

Anonymous said...

Swedish people are the bomb.

Anonymous said...

well done, shame you didn't do it years ago instead of wasting the last few years.

Anonymous said...

Well done and good luck. Hope you enjoy this great experience.

BM said...

Congrats!

Soon you'll have to change the name of your blog to "Creative in London in Sweden".

Anonymous said...

Years ago he may not have been accepted - wasted years not completely. The time spent circling the ad industry will have helped him get into Hyper Island.

mikej said...

congrats mate

I guess you've bought your ticket. Enjoy and keep us updated with everything BLOW by BLOW

Bitchbag said...

Kudos @ Wal

Smarter than the average Grad.

Anonymous said...

geil. hört sich echt gut an. und dann erst noch in schweden. perfekt. hau rein und blogg weiter. grüße aus hamburg.

Will said...

Well done mate.

Paula Kreuger said...

Seems we will all meet again at last. :) Good that your camera didn´t fall of the "bridge" ;) See you soon for a new session of tapas!