Edited subset of a presentation that I gave to VCU Brandcenter Master's Candidates in Creative Technology, only a portion of which I can share publicly. There has been a lot of ambiguity around the school and the field itself about their role in the future of advertising. I took a stab at giving them some direction here.

1. POWERED BY
Deutsch LA
Making Invention
Work @ VCU
Brandcenter
02.2014

2. Hello there.
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3. 5
So what does
it mean to be a
Creative Technologist?

4. Personally, I’ve always found it to be a person who
sits at the intersection of design, strategy, and technology
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STRATEGY TECHNOLOGY
$$$
DESIGN

5. AFTER ALL, NOT ALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING
I tend to think of this as more of a spider chart of strengths
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STRATEGY
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY

6. AFTER ALL, NOT ALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING
I tend to think of this as more of a spider chart of strengths
8
STRATEGY
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
This would be the profile of a
generalist. A jack of all
trades, master of none.

7. AFTER ALL, NOT ALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING
Some might have a stronger foothold in design
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STRATEGY
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
Someone with a better foothold
in design and strategy might
be best suited for a user
experience position

8. AFTER ALL, NOT ALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING
Others might thrive performing strategic thinking and research
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STRATEGY
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
Someone with prefers working
with campaigns could pursue
digital strategy while others focus
on developing products

9. AFTER ALL, NOT ALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING
Add a dash of tech and you’ve got different strategic opportunities
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STRATEGY
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
Someone with prefers working
with campaigns could pursue
digital strategy while others focus
on developing products
Like crunching numbers,
figuring out what can make
your campaign successful?
Consider data strategy.

10. AFTER ALL, NOT ALL CT’S ARE CREATED EQUAL NOR DO THEY HAVE EQUAL FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING
And prototyping skills will make you exceptionally valuable
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STRATEGY
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
If you can bring your designs to
life there are many product design
positions outside the industry that
will put your skills to the best use.
Or, of course, the existing
developer positions.

11. Determine your skill set
first, then approach
recruiters
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12. 14
Quit making me worry
about my job already
and tell me about
yours...

13. 67
@rachelmercer