John Hegarty

After watching guest lecturer Sir John Hegarty's speech I was greatly chuffed with my time spent there. I found him interesting and enjoyable to listen to and a great insight into the advertising world. I picked a few of his quotes that I'd either heard before, which, he confirmed my thoughts about, or some I'd never heard of but thought they definitely rang true.

"Writing is just describing pictures."
"Words are a barrier to communication." - I always find writing much more difficult than reading pictures, I think when Hegarty mentioned this I felt a little better in myself knowing that it's not just me who finds words limiting in some aspects.

"Do interesting things and interesting things will happen." throughout this course we've been told to push the barrier, and be risky, and imaginative. I think this quote from John is relative to this, as if we're daring and push the limit, then more doors will open and we'll see what we're made of.

"Tell the truth" or "Find an interesting way to tell the truth." I've always thought that advert in which are honest, but funny and smart about it, always capture my attention most. A recent one I've seen is for Rice Krispies "Squares" and this stuck in my head for weeks, even now.
"It's all lies, they're not even square." Not only made me laugh, but I'd never even thought of the fact that they're rectangle and called squares before, so this statement from John definitely works.



"You know someone else has something good when you hate them, as well as their product." - Far too many times have I seen something and though, damn, that's really good. Wish I'd thought of that. And I think this is what John was getting at.

John's example of something he wished he thought of.

He also mentioned he asked someone "what makes a great photograph?" "Something you haven't seen before." - New things catch your idea, so new smart ideas, will stand out from the rest.

Definition of creativity; expression of self. 

Inspiration is everything, you just have to see it.

Follow opportunity, not money.

When the world zigs, zag. - Black sheep, logo.

"When do you do your best thinking? When I'm not thinking."

Fearlessness - put ideas in front of people. Fight for it. Believe in it, even if they says it's wrong. 

I will definitely keep an eye on for more of John's work, as I was really interested and he had my full attention throughout his speech. I also didnt realise he'd done the Xbox advert that I think was banned of a shooting baby growing up and then landing in a grave. Sure everyone remembers that one, even if it were banned.