The ICAD Upstarts Programme is without doubt one of the most successful initiatives ever undertaken by ICAD.

Back in the mid 90‘s up to 2001 ICAD had run a series of advertising workshops each year and it became a priority for the 2006 board to bring back the workshops - but with some big changes.

Firstly, it was agreed that there should be two strands and design studios were invited to get involved. A mentorship programme was also initiated meaning that each participant would have a point of contact and guidance throughout the process. Finally, as ICAD got more heavily involved with Design Week we scheduled an exhibition as part of the week to wrap up the workshops and provide an unparalleled networking opportunity for participants.

So, the ICAD Upstarts Programme was born and in only 5 years has seen more than 100 talented young creatives cut their teeth and take their first steps towards a career in our business.

The programme involves an intensive series of workshops held over six weeks with the cream of Ireland’s creative talent playing an active part in challenging and developing the Upstarts.

The Upstarts intake is small – just 12 candidates for both the advertising and design strands. Competition for places is keen with each applicant required to fulfil a demanding brief in order to secure a coveted Upstarts place.

Successful Upstarts quickly find themselves working hard - the curriculum involves answering a brief a week, developing or maintaining blogs, websites and other ‘employability’ tools as well as working on the promotion and design of their exhibition - held as part of the annual Design Week in November.

Upstarts provides a unique opportunity for new talent to meet with the people who are creating and producing advertising and design work at the highest levels in Ireland.

It has also proved to be an ideal opportunity to make lots of contacts and friends. In the true traditions of our industry – there’s an active social side!

As we build on the programme year on year, there have been nearly as many mentors and workshop hosts as there have been participants.

We are hugely grateful for the energy and commitment our mentors and workshop hosts offer. And perhaps, this commitment is an indicator to just how much value the advertising and design industries place on nurturing fresh creative talent. 

It is certainly the spirit of collaboration and hard work that is the real key to the programme’s success.