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Portfolio for the Graphic Arts

GRA 900

Learning Module

Overview

Personal Interest

I have co-taught our portfolio class for 20 years. While there are elements I love about all the classes I teach, this is by far and away my favorite. One of the privileges of teaching for a small program is I work with students from the moment they enter the program until the day they graduate — and even after. During that roughly two year time I get to see them grow and mature as designers. I learn their idiosyncracies, their styles, their interests, and this is the class where students in my program shine. However, I am painfully aware that for a variety of reasons many of my students never graduate. It is my hope that by offering more of our classes online — especially this one — we will be able to make the path to graduation easier for our students.   

Current Assessment Practices

Fortunately, the practices of instruction and assessment in the graphic arts and through some effort and luck on my part my classes and program have always included some of the elements of higher-level thinking. In particular most of the projects in this class have a predefined rubric that is used for grading projects. I have always required students perform a self-evaluation using the same grading criteria that the faculty use.

Project Rubric

Critiques. One standard form of assessment is group critiques. Students present their work to faculty and peers for feedback. Though generally summative (see recursivity below), when conducted properly students engage in critical assessment of both their own work and provide peer feedback on the work of their peers.

Recursivity. Portfolios have always been one of the primary tools for demonstrating mastery within the graphic arts industry. Early in my teaching career I stopped using the critique process as a penultimate feedback mechanism at the end of the creative process by pushing its use to an earlier stage. When students submit their work for critique now, they are required to take good notes, then incorporate the most salient feedback into revising their projects. I only grade the revised work. In fact from beginning to end there are multiple stages during any given project where I require students submit their work for approval and feedback. This wasn’t driven so much from an instructional standpoint as it was to have projects follow more of a performance assessment model. Designers often spend some time at the beginning of a new project generating ideas — we call them thumbnails. Then fleshed-out versions of a handful of the best ideas are presented to clients — we call them comps. Given the contractual obligations that go with client approval of comps, I mimic that process by having students present both their thumbnails and comps to me for approval. Students are warned if they show up for the critique with work that has not been approved or that goes in a different direction than what was approved at the comp stage they are not allowed to present. When working professionally it is not acceptable — and could have severe economic repercussions — to submit a logo in lieu of the website the designer was originally hired to build.

Student Perception of Teaching Survey (SPOTS)​. Shortly before midterms the college where I work asks students to anonymously evaluate their classes. The reason for this timing is so faculty has time to address any issues. It should be noted that under the faculty contract SPOTs cannot be used for administrative evaluation purposes. This information is collected, tabulated, and sent to faculty from the Dean of Faculty's office. Though the dean may review the results past practice has been deans only discusses them personally with the faculty member if there is a significant issue.

All students get the same list of questions. The survey is comprised of two sections. The first set of questions may be answered by the students by choosing one of the following: agree, disagree, or not applicable. The second questions allows open-ended allowing responses from students on anything they wish. Beyond the default questions, faculty are welcome to add additional questions if they think it appropriate. The list of questions is as follows

  1. I was encouraged to learn on my own
  2. Course requirements were clear from the beginning
  3. Course objectives were clear to me
  4. The instructor met classes on time and as scheduled
  5. My work was evaluated in ways that were helpful to me (eg. Comments on papers, etc.)
  6. Instructor was interested in teaching this course
  7. Instructor was available to me outside of class
  8. The instructor had an in-depth knowledge of the subject area
  9. Exams covered material on which I expected to be tested
  10. Assignments contributed to my learning
  11. Grades were a fair measure of my performance
  12. The variety and methods of instruction were well paced and adequate
  13. My knowledge and skills were increased
  14. I acquired a basic understanding of the subject area
  15. The instructor helped me understand my strengths and learn to improve my weak areas
  16. WHAT DID YOU ENJOY ABOUT THIS COURSE?

New Assessments Practices

While this course already has many of the elements discussed and encouraged within HRD 572 (discussed below) I have incorporated a few new components in the online version of my portfolio course.

Peer Review. Students must participate in critiquing each others work on the discussion boards. Traditionally, all projects in our program have a critique component. The challenge has been to develop a comparable experience for online learners.  

Digital Media. Given the production and time demands of the current industry all work done in the program has a digital component. Even seemingly handcrafted parts have actually been manipulated in some way on a computer. 

ePortfolio. What could be a more appropriate way for learners to develop an ePortfolio than in a portfolio class? The whole point of this course is for learners to put together a collection of work that provides evidence of what they have learned and are capable of creating.

Formative and Recursive Feedback. While students work their way through the program we place a very heavy emphasis on process. Just as students will encounter when working professionally our process has always been recursive. At various stages during the process graphic designers will often get client approval before moving on to the next step — often identified within a contract and having real contractual obligations. Before submitting their final work students in our program have three points where they must present their work for feedback and approval: 

  1. Thumbnails. Thumbnails are quick gesture drawings that are small in size and are used for brainstorming at the beginning of a project. Students are required to come up with 20 thumbnails and present them to the faculty teaching the course. Students and faculty identify the three that are most suited to the needs of the client for further development.
  2. Roughs. Roughs (also called comps in the industry) are fleshed-out versions of the the three thumbnails identified in the previous step. Though hand drawn these are in color and larger in size. Again, roughs are presented to the faculty for discussion. One of these is identified as the best option for the needs of the project
  3. Critique. As was discussed earlier critiquing is a crucial opportunity for providing feedback to students. Both faculty and their peers discuss the quality of the work generated and the choices that were made in developing the project. However, while there is an expectation that the work presented be as close to done as possible, students are expected to take the feedback they get from the critique and make any revisions before submitting the final project for assessment purposes. 

Intended Learner Outcomes

Target Learners

Within our program portfolio is considered a capstone course. It is offered within the final semester, all students are required to take it, and it expects a demonstration of mastery of content covered in previous courses. Given that the course falls into the CTE side of higher education — previously called vocational education — the intent of this course is to provide students with visual documentation of the work they are capable of producing for potential clients and employers.

Curriculum Standards

Course goals are established in the Course Development Model (CDM) required of all community college courses within the state of Iowa. Up until this past fall all CDMs were tracked and archived in an online software application called curriQunet. Unfortunately, documented vendor problems have caused the state to move to a new package not yet in place but promised to launch sometime this spring. Within the CDM framework adopted by both my college and the state of Iowa course goals are to be limited in number and sweeping in scope. The general course goals listed for this course are:

  1. Complete at least 6 advanced projects within the student’s area of interest as defined in an individually created schedule designed by the student and approved by the graphic arts faculty.
  2. Design a workflow plan for successful completion of each project in a timely manner.
  3. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of material learned throughout the Graphic Arts program.
  4. Create a final portfolio of professional-quality work and present to faculty and classmates for review.

Duration

This content is covered over the course of sixteen weeks. In a face-to-face context the course meets three times a week for 1 hour and twenty minutes each session equaling four hours per week total. While our Learning Management System (LMS) does allow us to track the amount of time students spend within the course shell there is no comparable seat time requirement.

Learning Management System

As was hinted at earlier, while this course is being developed in CGScholar it will be delivered through Canvas — the LMS used by my college.

00 | Introduction

For Students

Syllabus

Read the syllabus. Understanding the policies on everything from grading to supplemental resources will help guide your path through this course.

Syllabus | Portfolio 2020

Supplies and Materials

Materials listed below are meant to be illustrative and not necessarily prescriptive. If you have access to something comparable go ahead and use it.

  • 1 Sobo Glue
  • 1 Sharp Box Cutter
  • 1 USB Flash Drive or Cloud storage space 
  • Paper Stock (as needed for print projects)
  • Bristol Board (as needed for packaging projects)
  • Black Foam Core Board
  • Web Hosting Service 
  • Professional Domain Name
  • Sketchbook
  • Pencils
  • Other supplies as necessary
  • Addy Award Ceremony Attendance (February 21, 2020)

Software

Software needs will be determined by project selection. You must use professional software and tools for all projects (for the love of God no Microsoft Paint — please!).

Packaging Projects

Once you complete a project unless your instructor says otherwise you are to take a good picture of it fully assembled under daylight balanced conditions. Next, make sure your image is saved as a JPG then upload it to the discussion board for the project. Finally, make sure you include the photograph of your package along with all files to the dropbox for the project.

Project 05 - Group Project

Graphic artists do not work in a vacuum and neither should you. While specific information about Project 05 is included in that module, make sure you build time into your timeline to do your part on the Group Project. Since the dawn of time some students have been frustrated when assigned to work in groups where other members don't pull their weight. What I will say is this. Everyone chose this program. Have fun with it. Accept responsibility for your share of the work. One of the great things about this program is you have two years to develop relationships with your classmates. When you work together you will find your combined efforts with your teammates will be far better than what you would have been able to complete on your own. After graduation students often leverage their relationships with their peers to share job opportunities and serve as references. Bad choices made now could follow you through the beginning of your careers. Don't be the person everyone grumbles about.

For Faculty

Overview

Though they can get a little freaked out by how open this course is, by now students should have a good idea of where their interests and strengths are. Help students understand that this is one of two classes where the rubber really hits the road — the Internship being the other one. Students will be putting together a portfolio that highlights their talents for potential clients and employers. 

Duration

The 00 | Overview and 01 | Project Management modules combined are completed over the course of the first week. 

01 | Project Management

For Students

Quick Overview

In this unit we're going to:

  • Assess projects developed for previous classes and clients     
  • Develop a list of 5 new projects of varying levels of complexity 
  • Build a schedule for completing all work by the end of the class

Readings

Supplemental Videos

01 VID | New Blood By The Book: #2 How to Art Direct your Online Portfolio with Mark Bonner  - required

Media embedded April 20, 2020

Source: D&AD - Creative Advertising, Design and Digital. (2019, May 02). New Blood By The Book: #2 How to Art Direct your Online Portfolio with Mark Bonner [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Q576VGz90AU

01 VID | My First Portfolio – 20 YEARS of Art & Design – Part 1 - required

Media embedded April 20, 2020

Source: The Futur. (2020, April 15). My First Portfolio – 20 YEARS of Art & Design – Part 1 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/VFAkgNpAVSo

01 VID | Project Management - How to Break Down Projects — required

Media embedded April 20, 2020

Source: The Futur. (2019, February 13). Project Management - How to Break Down Projects [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/zlnVc1nBTto

Please note. This video explains the traditional Waterfall Development Process. Later on in the course we will be working with the Agile Development Process.

Exercises

  • 01 EX | Project Assessment
  • 01 EX | Project Identification
  • 01 EX | Project Plannning

Discussion Boards

When you complete your Project Identification and Project Planning exercises upload them to the discussion board thread for each assignment. Then, take a look at what your peers are doing and comment or make suggestions on two - three of your peers posts about how their projects could improved or tweaks to their timeline. 

One last thing. If you see a project that one of your peers is working on that you think you could help with include that in your suggestion. For instance, if you have taken our photography courses and you see a classmate is working on a project that would benefit from some custom photographs offer to lend a hand. Collaboration is not just encouraged, it is standard practice in the industry. Just make sure all parties credit each other when presenting their projects. 

Project Rubric

 

For Faculty

Overview

Though they can get a little freaked out by how open this course is, by now students should have a good idea of where their interests and strengths are. Help students understand that this is one of two classes where the rubber really hits the road — the Internship being the other one. Students will be putting together a portfolio that highlights their talents for potential clients and employers.

Duration

​The 00 | Overview and 01 | Project Management modules combined are completed over the course of the first week.

Exercises

01 EX | Project Assessment

By now learners have been through three full semesters in the program. One of our program requirements is students are required to submit an archive of all student work submitted at midterms and finals for each and every course. As was discussed in previous classes there are two reasons for this

  1. If they plan to work professionally standard industry practice is to back up and archive client work. For example, if their supervisor comes to them and says, "Pull up the Memorial Day newspaper ad we did for this client last year. They want to run it again, but update the prices." If the student can't find the files, they're going to have a hard time keeping their job. 
  2. Sometimes students don't keep track of the work they completed in previous classes. It is not realistic to create an entire portfolio from scratch in the time this class runs. If a student finds they are in this situation, go to the Student Archive of all the zip files they submitted during their previous semesters and send them their work. I usually interject a sigh somewhere during this conversation.

Once students have located all of their projects they will need to meet with you to go over what they can do to polish them for inclusion in their portfolio. Don't let students self-curate just yet. Students need to show everything. As you meet with the students make sure they take notes during this conversation, then have them upload a copy to the discussion board. Not only will this help jog everyone's mind about what was agreed on, it will help other students see what their peers are doing. It might give everyone new ideas.

01 EX | Project Identification

In addition to reviewing and polishing previous work students spend the first week brainstorming ideas for 5 new projects that really show off their skills. Have them come up with a list of 6 - 10 ideas then discuss them with them. While the deadlines for each of the 6 projects are hard and fast, students should front load the projects so the quickest ones are due earlier in the semester while the more complex ones are due later — the most complex project should be due last. Generally, I recommend having students identify the kinds of projects they want to work on this semester first, then identify a specific client who would be best suited for the project. Help them think through what the client would need, then help them flesh out the individual components.

For example, a student may say they want to create a website for their aunt's small business — which is fine, but maybe the aunt needs signage, a new logo, business cards, an invoice and letterhead. Maybe the aunt's business includes local deliveries so a car wrap would be appropriate. Or if the aunt has an e-commerce business then facebook ads and a product package make sense.    

One thing to emphasize with students is this is a portfolio class. Each project should be a comprehensive marketing campaign, and each project must stand along / be unique — they cannot do a logo for the first project, a flyer with the logo on the second, a brochure for the third, etc. Each project must have a different client, and though the medium can be the same (print, web, packaging, whatever) each project brief must be singular and specific.

01 EX | Project Planning

Once students have identified the projects they need to revise and develop, they need to build a schedule for the course for each project. This isn't just comprised of due dates. They need to be specific about when they will have the research complete, when thumbnails, roughs / comps are due, when will they print, when will the database and template be chosen for the website, when will revisions after the critique be submitted.

Students have sixteen weeks to build their portfolio. The most complex project will most likely be turned in last. Do not let students wait until Project 01 is done before they start working on Project 02! All projects must be at various stages of completion throughout the course. Point out to students professionals do not have the luxury of working sequentially; they often have multiple pokers in the fire simultaneously. They may be sketching thumbnails for Project 04 while they are printing Project 02. If everything is set up right, Project 06 will take more than two to three weeks to complete!

Once students complete their schedule, they must upload it to the discussion board, again to act as a reminder for both the student and faculty and to give other students an idea of what their peers are working on. 

02 | Project 01

For Students

Quick Overview

In this unit we're going to:

  • Develop, complete, critique, and revise Project 01
  • Work on Projects 02 - 04 & 06
  • Revise previous projects 
  • Identify work that is both ready and that you would like to submit for competition
  • Begin developing your portfolio website

Supplemental Videos

02 VID | Portfolio Work THEN vs NOW – 20 YEARS of Art & Design – Part 2 - required

Media embedded April 20, 2020

Source: The Futur. (2020, April 16). Portfolio Work THEN vs NOW – 20 YEARS of Art & Design – Part 2 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/gQX8mVLm6D8

Discussion Board

When you are finished with your project, create a post on the discussion board and attach high-quality pdfs or web links for each component. You must write at least a couple of sentences of useful comments about two to three of your classmates projects. Try not to repeat what someone else has said. If someone's post already has 5 comments consider that post closed and comment about someone else's project. I will add comments when we see everyone has had a chance to respond. After I have made my final comments you also must make any necessary revisions to your project and upload the revised, packaged version of all of your files and submit a grade sheet for your project.

Project Rubric

 

For Faculty

Overview

At this point students have a lot going on. Not only are they working on five new projects, they are revising ealier projects, picking work they want to submit for the Addy Awards competition, and populating their personal porfolio website — all students should already have one more or less ready to go from previous classes. Needless to say this can feel a bit overwhelming for some students. Just remind them that the only thing that must be done by the deadline is the first project — put one foot in front of the other. This is why their course timeline is so important. It will help them focus on what is important and not get bogged down or distracted by everything going on. 

Duration

​The 02 | Project 01 module is completed by the beginning of the third week of the course. Revisions are due by the end of the third week (Friday).

Discussion Board​

All students should know this by now — a gentle reminder should be all that is necessary. Critiques are not supposed to be brutal. Nor should they be comprised just of "I like it," comments. Feedback should be technical and specific. Comments should be along the lines of, "Your colors seem to be carefully chosen and appropriate for the client, but this font doesn't seem to be working as well in this situation..."

Revisions

Once students have good feedback they need to revise their work. Remind them only the revised versions of their projects are graded.   

03 | Project 02 - Self-Promotional

For Students

Quick Overview

In this unit we're going to:

  • Develop, complete, critique, and revise Project 02
  • Continue working on projects 03 - 04 & 06
  • Continue polishing identified projects completed before this course
  • Continue populating your portfolio website

Readings

Supplemental Materials

03 VID | New Blood By The Book: #1 How to Brand your Online Portfolio with Casey Bird 

Media embedded April 20, 2020

Source: D&AD - Creative Advertising, Design and Digital (2019, April 24). NNew Blood By The Book: #1 How to Brand your Online Portfolio with Casey Bird [Video]. https://youtu.be/DFQnDPTQG1k

03 VID | New Blood By The Book: #5 How to promote yourself (and your portfolio) With Mahaneela

Media embedded April 20, 2020

Source: D&AD - Creative Advertising, Design and Digital (2019, June 25). New Blood By The Book: #5 How to promote yourself (and your portfolio) With Mahaneela [Video]. https://youtu.be/9ZdD1rM3E5I

Discussion Board

When you are finished with your project, create a post on the discussion board and attach high-quality pdfs or web links for each component. You must write at least a couple of sentences of useful comments about two to three of your classmates projects. Try not to repeat what someone else has said. If someone's post already has 5 comments consider that post closed and comment about someone else's project. I will add comments when we see everyone has had a chance to respond. After I have made my final comments you also must make any necessary revisions to your project and upload the revised, packaged version of all of your files and submit a grade sheet for your project.

Project Rubric

 

For Faculty

Overview

Students should be in the groove by now. They will be working on revising Project 01, working on their self-promotional project (Project 02), revising projects from previous semesters, and populating their website. Most of your time will be spent approving thumbnails and roughs / comps and acting as technical support.

Duration

​The critique for this module is completed by the beginning of the fifth week of the course. Revisions are due by the end of the fifth week (Friday).

Discussion Board​

Remind students to spread out feedback among multiple students — no more than five comments per proje

Revisions

Once students have good feedback they need to revise their work. Remind them only the revised versions of their projects are graded.

04 | Project 03

For Students

Quick Overview

In this unit we're going to:

  • Develop, complete, critique, and revise Project 03
  • Continue working on projects 04 & 06
  • Continue polishing identified projects completed before this course
  • Continue populating your portfolio website

Supplemental Videos

04 VID | New Blood By The Book: #4 How to Make your Portfolio Stand Out with Creative UX Design - required

Media embedded April 20, 2020

Source: The Futur. (2019, Jun 19). New Blood By The Book: #4 How to Make your Portfolio Stand Out with Creative UX Design [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/WTtUKHrmIlk

Discussion Board

When you are finished with your project, create a post on the discussion board and attach high-quality pdfs or web links for each component. You must write at least a couple of sentences of useful comments about two to three of your classmates projects. Try not to repeat what someone else has said. If someone's post already has 5 comments consider that post closed and comment about someone else's project. I will add comments when we see everyone has had a chance to respond. After I have made my final comments you also must make any necessary revisions to your project and upload the revised, packaged version of all of your files and submit a grade sheet for your project.

Project Rubric

 

For Faculty

Overview

Students should be in the groove by now. They will be working on revising Project 02, working on their self-promotional project (Project 03), revising projects from previous semesters, and populating their website. Most of your time will be spent approving thumbnails and roughs / comps and acting as technical support.

Duration

​The critique for this module is completed by the beginning of the seventg week of the course. Revisions are due by the end of the seventh week (Friday).

Discussion Board​

Remind students to spread out feedback among multiple students — no more than five comments per project.

Revisions

Once students have good feedback they need to revise their work. Remind them only the revised versions of their projects are graded.

05 | Competitions

For Students

Source: American Advertising Federation (2016) AAA General Hero. https://www.aaf.org/AAFMemberR/Awards_and_Events/Awards/American_Advertising_Awards/Judges.aspx

Quick Overview

In this unit we're going to:

  • Submit at least one of your completed and polished projects for judging in a competition.
  • Attend the regional AAF Addy Awards Ceremony
  • Network with professionals in the field

Readings

05 TXT | AAF Dubuque: American Advertising Awards presents

05 PDF | AAF Student Division: RULES & CATEGORIES 2019–2020

05 TXT | AAF Dubuque: Submissions Portal

Supplemental Videos

05 VID | ADDYS Intro Video 2020 - optional

Media embedded April 20, 2020

Source: RAF Connect. (2020, April 16). ADDYS Intro Video 2020 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/d5_NrN6OZIo

05 VID | 2020 Ad Honors Awards: Student Gold and Silver - required

Media embedded April 20, 2020

Source: American Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne. (2020, March 26). 2020 Ad Honors Awards: Student Gold and Silver [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/fneZmtvqKfY

About the Competition

As you prepare your project(s) for submission make sure you review all submission requirements and due dates — make sure you to add the due dates to your project schedule for the semester.

Award ceremony attendance is mandatory. Student senate has very graciously agreed to cover the cost of both one submission per student as well as transportation, tickets, and dinner for the awards ceremony — next time you see your student senate rep give them a big thanks.

The awards ceremony isn't just an opportunity to cheer on your classmates and see what professionals in your region are doing. This is an opporunity to meet and network with potential employers and clients. You must dress up — at least business casual. Also, no more than two to three students per table. Make sure you bring plenty of personal business cards to share and don't be shy about asking others at your table for theirs. Introduce yourself, ask your tablemates where they are from and what they do, and talk a little about your own interests and goals. Be gracious. You are representing not just yourself, but your peers and the college. This is a college-sponsored activity, and as per the college code of conduct drinking is not allowed. Remember, the people you are sitting with could be interviewing or recommending you or one of your classmates for a job after graduation — we have had students who were prospected at the ceremony.

For Faculty

Overview

Students from our program have been competing successfully in the American Advertising Federation's (AAF) Addy Awards Competition for nearly twenty years. This is a great opportunity not only for students to earn accolades for their hard work from working professionals, judges do a broad critique live and in person of the student work submitted an hour before the ceremony. This allows students to get outside feedback about the strength of their work and things to consider. During the banquet make sure students spread out and network with the professionals at their tables. This is a great opportunity for students to practice their business professional conversational skills. Finally students get to see how well their work measures up against their peers at neighboring schools. Students usually return excited and motivated by the experience.

06 | Project 04

For Students

Quick Overview

In this unit we're going to:

  • Develop, complete, critique, and revise Project 04
  • Continue working on Project 06
  • Continue polishing identified projects completed before this course
  • Continue populating your portfolio website

Supplemental Videos

06 VID | Portfolio Tips – Reviewing YOUR Design Work – Part 1 - required

Media embedded April 20, 2020

Source: The Futur. (2019, July 08). Portfolio Tips – Reviewing YOUR Design Work – Part 1 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/VFAkgNpAVSo

Discussion Board

When you are finished with your project, create a post on the discussion board and attach high-quality pdfs or web links for each component. You must write at least a couple of sentences of useful comments about two to three of your classmates projects. Try not to repeat what someone else has said. If someone's post already has 5 comments consider that post closed and comment about someone else's project. I will add comments when we see everyone has had a chance to respond. After I have made my final comments you also must make any necessary revisions to your project and upload the revised, packaged version of all of your files and submit a grade sheet for your project.

Project Rubric

 

For Faculty

Overview

Students should be in the groove by now. They will be working on revising Project 03, working on their self-promotional project (Project 04), revising projects from previous semesters, and populating their website. Most of your time will be spent approving thumbnails and roughs / comps and acting as technical support.

Duration

​The critique for this module is completed by the beginning of the nineth week of the course. Revisions are due by the end of the ninth week (Friday).

Discussion Board​

Remind students to spread out feedback among multiple students — no more than five comments per project.

Revisions

Once students have good feedback they need to revise their work. Remind them only the revised versions of their projects are graded.

07 | Project 05 - Group Project

For Students

Quick Overview

In this unit we're going to:

  • Develop, complete, critique, and revise Project 05
  • Continue working on Project 06
  • Continue polishing identified projects completed before this course
  • Continue populating your portfolio website

Supplemental Videos

06 VID | Working on a Design Team – Building A Brand, Ep. 3 - required

Media embedded April 21, 2020

Source: The Futur. (2020, June 05). Working on a Design Team – Building A Brand, Ep. 3 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/yG6wbR03bLs

Discussion Board

When the project is finished write a reflection of what your job responsibility was for this project. Make sure you include what your due dates were, whether or not you met them, and what you could have done differently / better. Also from a group standpoint include any thoughts about what could be done to make this project go more smoothly next time.

Project Rubric

 

For Faculty

Overview

Think of this project as a simulation. It is common for professional designers to have a project with a quick turnaround drop onto their schedule. Though students knew this was coming up until this module opens they didn't have the details. 

Duration

​The critique for this module is completed by the beginning of the thirteenth week of the course. Since this project is commercially printed no print revisions are due, however any necessary changes to the website should be made by the due date.

Group Project

Students will have to self-organize into a team. Have them pick a project manager, print manager, web manager, identify the platform they will be using to communicate and share files, etc.

This project has a real budget ($450) for ALL costs. Students cannot go over budget. They cannot spend their own money. Everything must be printed commercially and they must get three bids. The project must have both a print and web component. Set up a subdomain on the host used by the graphic arts program for our website and add the students as users — no, students do not need to include hosting in their budget.

Once students have developed the client brief for this project suggest the print manager start calling to get the three bids. The print manager should also find out what the turn around time is, any prepress file requirements, and if they will be able to work the student project into the plant's printing schedule in time.

Commercial Printing

Recommend to students that they work backward from the due date. If the print project will take 3 business days to print and 5 days to drop ship then that means they need to have the print part of the project done and to the printers approximately a week and a half before it is due. If they want to work with a printer out of the region (such as Vistaprint) this will be the case. If they work with a local printer they may be able to simply drive to pick up the project when it is done (saving shipping cost and time).

Discussion Board​

Remind students to spread out feedback among multiple students — no more than five comments per project.

Revisions

Once students have good feedback they need to revise their work. Remind them only the revised versions of their projects are graded.

08 | Project 06

For Students

Quick Overview

In this unit we're going to:

  • Develop, complete, critique, and revise Project 06
  • Continue polishing identified projects completed before this course
  • Continue populating your portfolio website

Supplemental Videos

06 VID | Design Portfolio Reviews – What do Employers Seek? – Part 2 - required

Media embedded April 20, 2020

Source: The Futur. (2020, April 16). Design Portfolio Reviews – What do Employers Seek? – Part 2 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/gQX8mVLm6D8

Discussion Board

When you are finished with your project, create a post on the discussion board and attach high-quality pdfs or web links for each component. You must write at least a couple of sentences of useful comments about two to three of your classmates projects. Try not to repeat what someone else has said. If someone's post already has 5 comments consider that post closed and comment about someone else's project. I will add comments when we see everyone has had a chance to respond. After I have made my final comments you also must make any necessary revisions to your project and upload the revised, packaged version of all of your files and submit a grade sheet for your project.

Project Rubric

 

For Faculty

Overview

Students should see the end of the tunnel by now. At this point they will be working on Project 06, finishing any revisions to projects from previous semesters, and polishing their website. Most of your acting as technical support.

Duration

​The critique for this module is completed by the beginning of the fifteenth week of the course. Revisions are due by the end of the fifteenth week (Friday).

Discussion Board​

Remind students to spread out feedback among multiple students — no more than five comments per project.

Revisions

Once students have good feedback they need to revise their work. Remind them only the revised versions of their projects are graded.

09 | Portfolio Critique

For Students

Quick Overview

In this unit we're going to:

  • Critique your final portfolio site
  • Sit back, prop our feet up on the desk, put our hands behind our heads and sigh with relief 

Supplemental Videos

09 VID | How to Submit Your Portfolio – Application Tips — required

Media embedded April 20, 2020

Source: The Futur. (2018, August 02). How to Submit Your Portfolio – Application Tips [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/onvdHlv0p-Q

09 VID | What do companies look for in a design portfolio? How do you show passion? — required

Media embedded April 20, 2020

Source: The Futur. (2017, April 22). What do companies look for in a design portfolio? How do you show passion? [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/X_tUOfHpoyM

Discussion

When your portfolio is finished create a post with a link to your portfolio website on the discussion board. You must write at least a couple of sentences of useful comments about two to three of your classmates projects. Try not to repeat what someone else has said. If someone's post already has 5 comments consider that post closed and comment about someone else's project. I will add comments when we see everyone has had a chance to respond.

For Faculty

Overview

At this point all projects and revisions should be complete and their website fully populated.

Duration

​The critique for this module is completed by the beginning of the sixteenth week of the course. Revisions are due by the end of the sixteenth week (Friday).

Portfolio

As you work with students to get their portfolios ready discuss the need for them to tell a story with their portfolio. This includes everything from thinking about the sequence in which the work is presented, to descriptions of the client needs, any technical issues they encountered and addressed, any interesting stories about team dynamics from Project 05, etc. This will be good practice for interviewing.

Discussion Board​

Remind students to spread out feedback among multiple students — no more than five comments per project.

References

American Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne. (2020, March 26). 2020 Ad Honors Awards: Student Gold and Silver [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/fneZmtvqKfY

D&AD - Creative Advertising, Design and Digital (2019, April 24). New Blood By The Book: #1 How to Brand your Online Portfolio with Casey Bird [Video]. https://youtu.be/DFQnDPTQG1k

D&AD - Creative Advertising, Design and Digital. (2019, May 02). New Blood By The Book: #2 How to Art Direct your Online Portfolio with Mark Bonner [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Q576VGz90AU

D&AD - Creative Advertising, Design and Digital (2019, June 25). New Blood By The Book: #5 How to promote yourself (and your portfolio) With Mahaneela [Video]. https://youtu.be/9ZdD1rM3E5I

The Futur. (2017, April 22). What do companies look for in a design portfolio? How do you show passion? [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/X_tUOfHpoyM

The Futur. (2018, August 02). How to Submit Your Portfolio – Application Tips [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/onvdHlv0p-Q

The Futur. (2019, February 13). Project Management - How to Break Down Projects [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/zlnVc1nBTto

The Futur. (2019, Jun 19). New Blood By The Book: #4 How to Make your Portfolio Stand Out with Creative UX Design [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/WTtUKHrmIlk

The Futur. (2019, July 08). Portfolio Tips – Reviewing YOUR Design Work – Part 1 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/VFAkgNpAVSo

The Futur. (2020, April 15). My First Portfolio – 20 YEARS of Art & Design – Part 1 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/VFAkgNpAVSo

The Futur. (2020, April 16). Portfolio Work THEN vs NOW – 20 YEARS of Art & Design – Part 2 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/gQX8mVLm6D8

The Futur. (2020, April 16). Design Portfolio Reviews – What do Employers Seek? – Part 2 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/gQX8mVLm6D8

The Futur. (2020, June 05). Working on a Design Team – Building A Brand, Ep. 3 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/yG6wbR03bLs

Flaticon. (n.d.) Suitcase free icon. Flaticon. https://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/suitcase_189107

RAF Connect. (2020, April 16). ADDYS Intro Video 2020 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/d5_NrN6OZIo

2016 National Judges. (2016, n.d.). AAA General Hero [Image]. American Advertising Federation. Retrieved May 10, 2020, from https://www.aaf.org/AAFMemberR/Awards_and_Events/Awards/American_Advertising_Awards/Judges.aspx