The word on the street is that the Different Narrative Academy is back – and it promises to be bigger and better than 2022.

Last September, Natalia Filipowska was among the first intake for our two-week training programme. Now, the Northumbria University student is urging her peers to snap up the chance to join our team in September by getting their application forms in!

“I really enjoyed getting to grips with the academy,” said Natalia. “I didn’t really know what to expect coming to the agency on that first day but everything that happened during those two weeks in September really exceeded my expectations.”

Based at our Ravensworth Terrace HQ in Newcastle, the DNA scheme gave students the chance to shadow our employees, picking up key skills in design graphics, advertising, media, account management and PR, while working on live client briefs.

Their two weeks with us included a mix of presentations from our team, explaining what we do. A host of briefs were provided to the crew to get their teeth stuck into, from quick fire campaign ideas to a two-week project that culminated in them presenting their ideas to Seven Stories.

Natalia added: “I really appreciate the amount of support that we received and the trust we were given while working on the briefs. All of that really helped me improve the confidence in my work and motivated me to keep pursuing my dream career in graphic design. It was overall an amazing experience, for which I’m really grateful.

“The key elements that I have carried forward are certainly newfound confidence in my skills as a designer. Working on live client briefs and interacting with clients and Different Narrative staff really helped me to get a hang of what working in the industry is like.

“My experience at the academy certainly ensured my aspiration to become a graphic designer. Seeing what working in the industry looks like made me excited to finish my degree and enter the professional field in the future.”

But Natalia’s favourite part of DNA 2022 was saved for last as the academy graduates were invited along to a Christmas advert shoot just a few weeks after the conclusion of the programme.

She added: “Taking part in the photoshoot might have been my favourite part of the academy. Seeing the physical side of advertising production and the amount of work that it takes was really interesting. The best part I think was seeing the end result and being able to say that I was that blurry figure in the background of the shot.

“I’d certainly recommend the experience to my course mates and friends or anyone else seeking an insight into what life in the industry is really like.”

Spaces for the DNA programme have doubled for 2023, but remain limited, so entrants are urged to apply promptly. Complete the application form before Friday, 30th June 2023.