IAA and AOD announce foray into advertising

By Joshua Nicholas

The International Advertising Association Sri Lankan Chapter and the Academy of Design Colombo launched ‘Ad Creative’ last Thursday, an international design degree scholarship designed for advertising professions.

Citing the potential for Sri Lanka’s local advertising industry to become a global force, AOD has launched the new program to fulfil a deficit in international standard education in design and communication.

The programme, offered part time over three years, is in conjunction with Northumbria University School of Design UK, and will include training in copy writing, advertising campaigns, graphic design, typography, editorial design and packaging, along with photography, animation and web design. Graduates will be eligible for a Bachelors of Graphic Design Degree from Northumbria University.

President of IAA Sri Lanka Rayynor Silva stated “We see this as the essential beginning to bridge local and international knowledge gaps.”

Each scholarship winner will receive Rs. 1.1 million towards the completion of their education, approximately 50% of the degree cost. As of 9 March, applications are open to advertising professionals with three of more years of experience in a creative sector (graphic design, copy writing, illustration, editorial design, etc.), with the application deadline being 31 March.

A panel consisting of AOD and IAA recommended professionals will select 10 professionals according to the creativity and innovation found in their portfolios.

The winners will commence their education in May 2012 at the AOD city campus in Bambalapitiya. The campus is equipped with studio spaces, a digital design studio, computer laboratories, a sewing and pattern making studio, textile and print studio, 3D modelling studio and an auditorium. AOD features a highly diverse faculty, with members from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“What we’re offering the talented industry professionals is a chance to fine-tune their creative wits with a global degree programme taught by an internationally qualified faculty” said AOD Managing Director Linda Speldewinde.