The Sophomore Review

OVERVIEW

The Sophomore Review (TSR) is a crucial component of your Communication Design II (COMD 2400) course, designed to assess your progress in the program and provide valuable insights for your academic and professional journey. This document outlines the requirements, expectations, and guidelines for creating and presenting your Sophomore Portfolio.

PURPOSE OF THE SOPHOMORE REVIEW

The primary objectives of the Sophomore Review are:

• BFA Degree Completion: Ensure students are on track to successfully complete their BFA degree.
• Academic and Career Guidance: Provide academic and career advice to help students navigate their path in Communication Design.
• Support for Advanced Students: Offer support to students needing additional assistance in their academic journey.
• Internship and Scholarship Opportunities: Guide advanced students toward potential internship and scholarship opportunities based on their strengths.

Portfolio Requirements

Review the body of work you have created, and determine which projects you want as part of your Sophomore Portfolio. If you have not created a portfolio, you must create a digital one. Digitally will be the only way your work will be reviewed. Reminder: work can be from any class, but it can also be personal work that fits the requirements.

• 7 Visual Projects: Include projects from any class, as well as personal work, addressing all areas of a strong creative foundation in communication design. Properly label each project on your website.
  • Typographic sample
  • Drawing sample
  • Photography or Video sample
  • Layout and Design
  • 3 additional samples
  • Any 3 additional academic or non-academic projects focusing on your strengths or desired career path.
• Written Descriptions and Reflections: Provide written descriptions for each project, reflecting on your process, project requirements, and outcomes.
• Resume: Include an updated resume as a PDF.

Your online portfolio must be submitted in Week 8, Sunday, March 17th, 2024. 2 weeks later, you will present your work and consult a COMD faculty about the progression of your COMD career.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE REVIEW

Students gain significant experience by preparing and presenting their Sophomore Review Portfolio in anticipation of upper-level study and professional practice. Your portfolio will be reviewed by faculty a week prior to presenting your work in person. A creative portfolio must stand on its own and require more than just visuals to be successful. Your evaluation combines your visual work, description of work, process, color theory, and typographic and visual hierarchy. 

SELECT YOUR BEST WORK

Prepare by identifying your strongest and favorite pieces for discussion. Practice articulating the value and quality of your selected work using the following prompts:

• What was the purpose of this project?
• Who is the audience of this work, and why?
• What technique(s) did you use to achieve your final results?
• If you had more time, what aspect could you update to improve it?

NOTE: Failure to submit work or review it with faculty may result in delayed registration and/or course availability. 

EVALUATIONS

Advanced  (2.4-3.0)

Sophomore-Level (1.9-2.39)

Developing (below 1.89)

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Students receiving Advanced as their evaluation in The Sophomore Review may have the opportunity to submit work to creative competitions in their field, early permission for upper-level courses, and/or advanced internship recognition.

Students receiving Developing as their evaluation in The Sophomore Review may need to establish a better system for saving and showcasing one’s work. Also, students should focus on registering for Skills and Strategy classes that build on strong methodologies before tackling COMD capstone courses.

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The Sophomore Review is an opportunity for you to showcase your growth and potential in the field of Communication Design. Use this guideline to craft a compelling portfolio that reflects your skills and aspirations. Good luck!

Portfolio Website Platform:

• OpenLab
• Behance / Adobe portfolio
• Wix

Examples of Project Layouts

• OpenLab Demo Site
• Behance Project Page

Important Dates to keep in mind

Sunday, March 17^th: Student Submit Portfolio for Review

Thur/Fri Apr 4^th-5^th: Sophomore Review, where students meet faculty to discuss their work.

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How to submit your Portfolio for Sophomore review

Step 1 – Pick a time slot based your COMD 2400 class time.
https://calendly.com/ggarrastegui/comd-soph-review 

Step 2 – Register and submit (due by Sunday, 3/17)

https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/comd-soph-review/register/  

https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/comd-soph-review/register/

Step 3 – Practice your Presentations
 https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/comd-soph-review/resources/