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Spotlight: Brendan O'Reilly

Published


 

"I treat every brief as if has the potential to be the best work I've ever done."

- Brendan O'Reilly

 

 

 

 

How long have you been a Freelancer for?

Just over a year (having worked in ad agencies for over 20 years).

 

Describe your work in one sentence.
Smart, incisive on-brief ads.

 

What's the most important thing you've learnt in your line of work?
I treat every brief as if has the potential to be the best work I've ever done. It can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

 

What attracted you to your chosen field?
It was something that developed organically in art college – over a period of time my projects turned out looking more like advertising than graphic design.

 

Tell us about your best project to date.
Hmm... to single one out, it might be a TV commercial for Smirnoff Black Ice. The director did a great job in maximising the comic potential of the script.

 

What sets you apart?
A willingness to go the extra mile to get the best result. I think some freelancers have a 'that'll do' attitude.

 

If you could work on any project for any company/organisation, what would it be and who would it be for?
No individual brand or client stands out. You can't predict where your best work will emerge – that little two- column press ad you did as a favour could turn out to be the award-winner.

 

What frustrates you the most about your job?
The things I'm not so good at: tax, vat, invoicing.

 

What pearl of wisdom can you offer to someone thinking about starting out as a freelancer?
Spread the net – don't restrict yourself to your niche industry. And look wider geographically...there's a big world out there.

 

If you could have ONE super power, what would it be?
To have a magic credit card - the sort that never asked me to pay money back. Ever.

What can a prospective customer expect from you?
Great ideas, and a determination to produce the goods by deadline.

 

What's your favourite bit of kit?
21” iMac. Internet radio. Fountain pen.

 

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I shaved off my beard last week. Blessed relief.

 

What's your favourite song of all time?
An impossible question! But to pick one... 'The Disappointed' by XTC

 

What is your favourite App?
Sorry – not an app person!

 

What do you like about Creativepool?
That the people behind the website are actually interested in you. And being able to look at the portfolios - there's some brilliant work out there.

 

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