Kickstart your creative career in Adelaide
Ready to ditch the books and dive headfirst into the real-world creative industry?
AADC Student Membership is your essential connection to the city's top in-house teams, agencies, studios and production houses.
We’re here to kick open a few doors, introduce you to industry people and companies – and ensure your talent doesn't stay hidden.
If you're studying Creative Arts – including Graphic Design, Filmmaking, Marketing and PR – at a University, TAFE or College, your industry journey starts right here.
The best part? Student Membership is 100% FREE.
Our career accelerator programs for students
We've designed unmissable programs specifically for students and emerging talent. Each one is a unique opportunity to learn, network and prove your skills in the heart of the Adelaide creative scene.
Here's what we have on offer:
| Program | Focus | Energy level |
|---|---|---|
| AdCrawl | Real-world brief experience, agency tours, quick creative challenge | High-octane |
| AdVice | Deep-dive, structured creative training with a world-class CD | Intense |
| Foot in the Door Speed Mentoring | Rapid-fire career advice | Fast & focused |
| CRUNCH | Quarterly professional networking | Social & strategic |
More details:
1. The ultimate industry immersion: AdCrawl
You will: Go behind the velvet rope of Adelaide's leading creative in-house, media, production and design agencies. You'll meet a genuine client, follow a brief from start to finish, culminating in a quick dash creative challenge where you see your work displayed in public!
Why you can't miss it: This is the most comprehensive single-day experience available. It’s the closest you’ll get to working in the industry without actually having a job. Prove your grit, help build your portfolio and make industry connections that matter.
2. Sharpen your thinking: AdVice
Think you’ve got the ad spark? Let’s help you channel that.
AdVice isn’t a lecture. It’s not a seminar. It’s a hands-on, in-person, no-BS introduction to the creative side of advertising taught by industry pro James Rickard – one of the few (and maybe the only) creatives to win a major advertising award on every populated continent on the planet!
What you'll learn: Over four weeks, you’ll learn how to unpack a brief, generate bold ideas, write with impact and art direct like you mean it.
3. Build your network: Speed Mentoring & CRUNCH
The creative industry runs on connections. We’ve got two different ways for you to get in the room with the people who are hiring.
Real talk, real connections Foot in the Door Speed Mentoring
What to expect: Ten seasoned professionals meet twenty emerging creatives for an evening of real talk and propping open a few doors. Think speed dating, but for your career (and with better snacks). We bring the mentors, the drinks and pizza and the guaranteed face time.
Why you can't miss it: With strictly limited capacity (only 20 seats available!), spots fill up faster than a design brief changes direction. This is a high-value, intimate networking experience designed to help you figure this whole career thing out.
Quarterly creative hangout: CRUNCH
What to expect: A casual, quarterly creative lunch where all AADC members gather, known as Crunch (see what we did there?). Crunch is super relaxed where the drinks and pizzas are always on us! This is your opportunity to mingle with other creatives.
Why you can't miss it: Low pressure, high reward. It’s the perfect, relaxed environment to expand your network, catch up on industry news, and make friends outside of your course without feeling like you’re in a stuffy interview. Who knows who you could meet.
