Art Director: Matt Heck
Name: Matt Heck
Job Title: Art Director and Wanna-Be-Photographer
What’s your background?
I studied fine arts and communications in college and graduated with a mish mash portfolio of sculpture, drawings, paintings, design, photos and some of the worst print ads ever created. I was basically qualified to work at a folding table.
So I took a job as a “media coordinator” at a small agency in Philadelphia. I weaseled my way into the studio by helping out at night and on the weekends. After a few months the CD brought me into the creative department full-time. A couple years later I got an AD title.
How did you find out you can make a living as a creative?
I took an elective advertising class in college. I had an old-school professor that would tell stories of playing foosball, getting drunk at lunch, and being paid to travel. That’s all the encouragement I needed.
What was the first creative job you were paid for? Landscaper.
How long have you been working in ATL and how long have you lived here? I moved to ATL to work at WestWayne in ‘05 and I left to freelance just before they turned into 22 Squared in ‘07.
Where are you working now and how did you get there? I’d been freelancing in ATL and traveling for the last year. But I just moved to Sydney on July 20th to work at Three Drunk Monkeys.
What do you expect from a Creative Director? Guidance and inspiration.
What do you expect from an Account Person? Teamwork.
What do you get from an Account Person? Everything from brilliance to blank stares.
How does ATL compare to cities like NYC and San Fran on a creative level? Internationally?
I think Atlanta has a lot of talent and creativity. But it’s not as in-your-face as NYC or SF. You have to search for it a bit harder in Atlanta.
Can you share with us your best ATL experience? The “What Moves You” campaign we did for Scion in Miami.
And your worst? The “What Moves You” campaign we did for Scion in Miami.
If you had the chance, what advice would you give MARTA? Just to keep up the viral marketing campaign they launched this year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQTuYo6HmiQ
How do you feel about kids coming out the Creative Circus, Portfolio Center
and other Atlanta-based schools then moving away to find better jobs?
Kudos to them. They’ve got to take the best job they can no matter where it is. Luckily for Atlanta, it’s a really comfortable city and many people that start here eventually come back to “settle down”.
What are some key elements you look for when job searching? I think whom you work for and with is almost as important as where you work.
How do you feel about headhunters? Some are really nice and some are really good. If you can find one that’s both, hold on tight.
How do you feel about award shows in creative fields? I think it’s the second best way to get your work seen internationally.
Name 3 of your top magazines you have to read each month? Magazines can get a bit repetitive, so I mix it up each month. Here’s a few I like: Flaunt, Wad, Big, Clear, Tokion, Nylon, Wallpaper, Ready Made…I don’t know, Art Doll Quarterly. I must have given away 100 different magazines when I moved. Archive is the exception because I usually look at all of those. I’m a magazine whore for sure.
What music are you diggin’ right now? Let’s see, today I have these guys shuffled on my phone: Fink, The Heavy, Jose Gonzalez, Tyler Ramsey, Eyedea & Abilities, Bon Iver, Keren Ann, Don McCloskey, Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, The Married Monk, and Andrew Bird.
What’s overrated/underrated in ATL? I never made it to The Varsity, but I have the feeling I would’ve been underwhelmed.
What’s your favorite Adult Swim Show? I don’t watch it. I was addicted to Current though. www.current.com or 107 on Comcast. It’s brilliant.
If you could pitch them a show idea right now, what would it be? No need. Just film it yourself and upload it online. If it’s good, they’ll run it on TV and pay you.
What’s your secret to staying creative? Staying curious.
Who do you respect? Everyone, until I’m given reason not to.
Why do you wake up in the morning? There’s more to see.
What’s the difference between a Designer and an Art Director? If I had to stereotype, I’d say Art Directors are expected to be more conceptual. But it really varies.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? Still loving life. And still loving life.
Favorite sneaker brand? I don’t have a favorite [anything], but right now I’m wearing this beat up pair of Mustangs that I got in Spain. They kind of look like Chuck Taylor’s foreign cousin.
Ham or Turkey on a sandwich? Honey Ham and cheese. No mayo please.
Laptop or Desktop? My whole office fits neatly into my backpack. MacBook Pro, Wacom tablet, a digital camera, and an external hard-drive for my music.
Digital or Film photography? Digital
What’s your favorite architectural structure in Atlanta? It’s not aesthetically pleasing, but the Dekalb Farmers Market rocks.
What do you think of Atlanta’s 17th street bridge? What’s not under construction in Atlanta?
Favorite Atlanta icon/landmark (person, building, restaurant, etc)? The Golden Tee Machine in the back of Moe’s and Joe’s.
Naked Dog or Chili Dog from the Varsity? Speak of the devil.
Any links you want to share?
www.current.com
www.aquabumps.com
www.threedrunkmonkeys.com.au
www.xmarkjenkinsx.com
www.graffitiresearchlab.com
http://www.brendansfund.org/
http://www.errandboy.ws/
www.woostercollective.com
www.gagosian.com
www.visionaireworld.com
www.enormousd.com
www.paulforsale.com
www.areyougeneric.org
www.specterart.com
Contact info:
Email: mattheck@mac.com
Web: www.mattheck.com
Skype: mattheck
iChat: mattheck
Mobile: 0429836971
From the states: (+61) 429836971
Vonage: 215 816 7177
Work Samples:
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