University Mission

The mission of Abilene Christian University is to educate its student for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.

Course Description

Portfolio work prepared and refined for each individual, as it relates to her/his specific needs. A senior-level course dealing with the dynamics involved in the preparation of a highly professional and competitive portfolio for interviewing purposes. Discussion and analysis of student work under consideration for portfolio inclusion is emphasized. Interviewing techniques include preparation of an appropriate resume, appropriate methods used for contacting potential employers, and attitudes relating to the interview presentation process.

Course Learning Outcomes

As a result of successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

• Develop a highly professional portfolio, which will include; the case, a “bound” portfolio book, personal identity system, follow-up letters.
• Present themselves and their work in a professional manner in order to obtain job offers from any design firm or in house group in the world.
• Apply verbal skills to help them present themselves and their work.
• Market themselves and develop tools to facilitate their self-promotion.

In Portfolio class, students are expected to display the following attitudes/professional behavior:

• Competent preparation of all projects.
• Regular attendance to the class.
• Participate in all class critiques.
• Effectively present ideas.
• Complete all assignments according to established deadlines, overcoming any technical difficulties that arise in order to do so.

Required Text

Building Design Portfolios: Innovative Concepts for Presenting Your Work

by Sara Eisenman
Publisher: Rockport Publishers (May 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1592534384
ISBN-13: 978-1592534388

Available at the ACU Campus Store

Suggested Text

Hungerland, Buff. Marketing Your Creative Portfolio, Prentice Hall, 2003
Williams, Theo. The Graphic Designer’s Guide to Pricing, Estimating and Budgeting, Allworth Press
Graphic Artists Guild Book: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines, Graphic Artists Guild

Student Requirements and Responsibilities:

Departmental Absence Policy

In Fall and Spring semesters:
3 unexcused absences from class are allowed in courses that meet twice a week (TR), and 4 are allowed in classes that meet three times a week (MWF).

After these absences have been used, grade penalties will be assigned as followed:

1. After 1 absence, students will have their course grade lowered by one letter grade, 2 absences, two letter grades.
2. Students who have more than 2 absences will be given a failing grade in the class (excused absence are death in the immediate family,
documented illness, official ACU-sponsored trips).
3. Arriving tardy 3 times equals one absence that counts against the permitted ones.
4. Students who participate in official University activities (athletics, debate, band, etc.) must provide the required University form one week in advance.
5. Leaving class early without permission from the instructor will be counted as a class absence.

Dress Code

Please follow the dress code outlined in your Student Handbook. You may be asked to leave class if you are not dressed according to the guidelines. Thanks for your cooperation.

Standards

Students will be required to redo any work that is not up to professional and industry standards. The body of work that you produce will in essence set the tone for your career as a student.

Late work policy

Late work will NOT be accepted in this class and student will receive a failing grade to the project.

Grading – These areas/projects will be graded:
A. Research for job opportunities
B. Preparation of individual projects to be in your portfolio
C. Project execution (1: Portfolio and presentation, 2: leave-behind, 3: PDF book, 4: senior-capstone)*
D. Resume’ – Cover Letter – Business Card*
E. Group participation (Field trips, critiques, etc)
F. Idea file, reading of articles, and class-blog each week

*These will be averaged together as a final grade exam.

Grading criteria

Grade 1: gathering things together (due Thursday, Feb 2)
Grade 2: Portfolio, Leave-behind (due Mar 08)
Grade 3: (mid-term grade), PDF book (due March 22)
Grade 4: (final grade) senior-capstone, final documents: resume, cards, etc. (due Finals)

Grade Scale:
A     (100-90)
B     (89-80)
C     (79-70)
D     (69-60)
F     (59-0)