Note: Read >>Lessons/ Lesson 1: Portfolio before proceeding
“Life is what happens when you are busy making other plansā
John Lennon
Before you begin to build your portfolio, take a moment to think through your goals. Your portfolio should be a carefully choreographed presentation based on an understanding of the field and the opportunities available to you. Carefully review and try to answer each of the questions listed below. Thoughtful reflection and personal insight should help to guide you as you make decisions that will impact your future career.
Be as detailed as possible in your answers. The idea is to help think through where you will need to focus your attention. Be (brutally) honest.
Table of Contents
Part A: Where are you currently?
- What has been your favorite class? Explain why.
- In what class do you feel you have done your best work? Explain why.
- List three class projects you have worked on that you are proud of. Why?
- List three class projects you feel need to be improved. How and Why?
- Describe/ list any out-of-school projects you have been involved with that relate to your career.
- List all design programs you know like the āback of your hand.ā
- List all design programs you donāt know as the āback of your hand,ā but feel you should know.
- Who do you imagine will be looking at your portfolio?
- What do you imagine they will be looking to see?
- What characteristics do you hope your portfolio conveys about you? Imagine you are not sitting next to the person who is reviewing your portfolio, to walk them through it.
- List a minimum of three companies/agencies/designers/artists whose work you admire. If you canāt name any do your research and come up with some!
Part B: What are your short-term goals?
12. What type of designer are you or what kind would you eventually like to be? See the lists below. Select and list in the order of most desired (#1 would be the dream job). For your top two choices describe why.
Illustration
- Advertising Illustration
- Animation, Gaming, and App Design
- Character Development (Television, Film, or Print)
- Comics, Cartoons, and Graphic Novels
- Childrenās Book Illustration (picture books, chapter books, middle grade,
YA, and book covers) - Digital Illustration
- Educational Illustration (products, games, apps, and textbooks)
- Editorial Illustration
- Fashion Illustration
- Gallery and Exhibition Installations
- Illustrator Representative/Agent
- Illustration for licensing and products (surface design)
- Print Media
- Publishing
- Storyboard Artist
- Technical Illustration
- Scientific Illustration
- Toy Design
- Visual Development Artist for Feature Animation, Entertainment and TV
Graphic Design
- Brand Identity Design
- Brand Strategy
- Typography
- Color Palettes
- Logo Design
- Business Cards and/or Stationary
- Icon Systems
- Brand Guidelines
- Marketing Design
- Print & Digital Advertisements
- Social Media Graphics
- Podcast Cover Art
- Banners
- Marketing emails
- Brochures & Posters
- Billboards
- Vehicle wraps
- Pitch Decks & Presentations
- Advertising Design
- Packaging Design
- Web & User Interface Design
- Print & Publication Design
- Book covers
- Magazine & Newspaper layouts
- Menu Design
- Album Covers
- Merchandise & Apparel
- Brochures & Flyers
- Stationery Lettering & Type Design
- Graphic illustration
- Digital Products
- Blog post & articles
- Books & Magazines
- Games
- Apparel
- Data Visualization & Infographic Design
- Wayfinding
- Environmental Design
- Experience Design
Advertising
- Advertising
- Account planner
- Art Director
- Photographer
- Copywriter
- Manager
- Creative director
- Brand Manager
- Assistant brand manager
- Brand manager
- Marketing and brand specialist
- Campaign Manager
- Brand campaign manager
- Marketing campaign manager
- Content Creator
- Graphic designer
- Digital content coordinator
- Ecommerce copywriter
- Social media writer
- Market Research
- Digital web analytics specialist
- Market analyst, market research director
- Market research manager
- Market research supervisor
- Promotions marketing and promotions officer
- Promotions and events coordinator
- Promotions coordinator
- Promotions representative
- Promotions scheduler
- Sales and promotions
- Social Media Specialist PR and social media coordinator
- Social media influencer
- Social media manager
- Social media producer
- Social media specialist
- Social media strategist
- Social media writer
13. Describe the type of projects you see yourself (ideally/eventually) working on.
14. Who do you imagine yourself working for? Based on your online research please select one. Describe the job and what your responsibilities would be?
- Company/organization?
- Describe your job? What are your responsibilities?
- Design/Ad Agency?
- Independent? āContractor/ Freelancer
Part C: What are your long-term goals?
15. Vision Statement:
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- In 10 Years?
- Write a paragraph describing your ideal work day.
Elevator Pitch
Connecting your goals into a clear path forward. Based on your thoughtful self reflection, see if you can you explain who you are and what you do in 30 seconds or less?
This is basically what is referred to as your elevator pitch. If you were to find yourself riding in an elevator for 3 minutes with an Art Director that you would love to work with, what would you say to them in those 3 minutes? Try filling in the blanks and edit the form to make your version. Check your grammar.
Hi, my name is________. I create/make/ design______.
I am studying at / recently graduated from ______ with a BFA in Communication Design. My focus was/is in _____. I am looking to work at ____or get experience in______.
READ Article: >>How to Write an elevator Pitch as an artist
Additional Resources
Next lesson >>Lessons/ Lesson 3: Research
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