Course Overview

This class covers practical methods and techniques for constructing and presenting portfolios. Class will be composed of peer critique and discussion, in-class exercises, studio visits (online and in-person), and a guest workshop.

There are two primary assignments this semester:

1. To create your portfolio and circulate your work (this may include personal branding (logo etc.), writing about design, an exhibition, etc.), including the creation of job seeking documents (CV, cover letter, etc.).
2. An Interview with a practitioner in your field about what makes a good portfolio and what is important for young designers to consider when transitioning to professional practice for a group publication.

As mentioned there will be a guest workshop this semester that will likely take place outside of class time (more TK). As such, you will need to be available in order to participate. If this is going to be an issue for you, please speak with me after class to discuss.

↗ Class Google doc (sign into your SNU Google account to access)

Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate the design field and situate your practice within it
• Consider different work archiving and presentation methods and determine your preferences
• Create a portfolio and related materials for job, residency, grant, etc. pursual
• Develop and implement strategies to disseminate your work

Requirements

Students should be comfortable using design software and producing graphic outcomes to create a portfolio in the appropriate medium. This may include software such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Figma, and skills such as web coding depending on your preference.

• Personal Laptop
• Phone, digital camera, scanner, screen capture etc.
• Access to printers and other means of production

Readings

• There will be occassional readings with discussions taking place in class and/or online. When assigned a reading all students will be required to pose one question and respond to another students question about each reading.

Class Activities

The following activities will take place in-person and online via a number of platforms:

• Reading discussion
• Topic lecture/discussion
• Project critique/discussion
• Group exercises
• A Weekend Workshop
• One-on-one meetings
• Group meetings

Grading

• 50% ... Portfolio, Media Extension, and communication docs (CV, Cover Letter template)
• 15% ... Interview
• 15% ... Attendance + Participation/Attitude (Being present and active in class via discussion, and preparation)
• 10% ... Workshop (Weekend workshop)
• 10% ... Assignments, Exercises, etc.

Letter grades represent the following:

A = excellent;
B = good;
C = satisfactory;
D = unsatisfactory;
F = failure.

Grading Criteria

Individual project grades and final course grade takes into consideration:

• Participation (attendance, engagement in critique, pro-active involvement through the demonstration of discussion and inquiry)
• Process (exploration, iteration, research)
• Concept (thought, originality, creativity, and criticality)
• Design (does the work function as intended, does it communicate, is there clarity of information and intent)
• Presentation (quality of craft, attention to detail, professionalism)

Attendance

Students who are absent for over 1/3 of the class will receive a grade of 'F' or 'U' for the course. (Exceptions can be made when the cause of absence is deemed unavoidable by the course instructor.)

Plagiarism

Students are expected to generate their own work and ideas. We will be looking to many references and inspirations, if you are worried your work may border on plagarism, please talk to chris.

Submitting your work and Class Archive

As a final deliverable, please send a .zip file with documentation of your work over the semester and send to chris via wetransfer by Weds Dec 21.