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Portfolio Sampler / Leave Behind

Scenario: You are a recent graduate of the SFCC Graphic Design program. A local newspaper has listed a position you are interested in. After calling the potential employer, you have been selected to interview for the position.

In order to... a) have the employer remember you from the other candidates, b) set yourself apart from other graphic designers, and c) reflect your area of interest... you will leave behind a memorable portfolio sampler after the interview that shows:

  • craftsmanship
  • design ability
  • ingenuity
  • style
  • ability to choose and work with paper

You will work with your process instructor on research, idea exploration, and concept development. You will submit thumbnails and 3 rough designs to your instructor, who will then help you choose a concept to develop into a tight portfolio sampler.

NOTE: This self promotional portfolio sampler will be on display at the SFCC Graphic Design Student Show.

 

Step 1: Meet with your projects instructor.

  1. Go to the Portfolio Sampler project page and collect the project information:
    • Projects Course Syllabus
    • Project Schedule
    • Project description
    • Project criteria
    • Terminology
    • Student examples
    • Text and image files
  2. Schedule a meeting with the projects instructor, who will help guide you during this project.

Step 2: Meet with your process instructor.

  1. Go to the Portfolio Sampler process page and collect the process information.
    • Process Course Syllabus
    • Creative techniques to use
    • Exercises
    • Terminology
    • Outcomes and criteria
    • Instructions for presentation
  2. Schedule a meeting with the process instructor, who will be your art director for this project.

Step 4: Complete project research.

    1. Define the need for a self promotional item.
    2. Collect examples of self promotional designs.

Step 5: Develop thumbnails

    1. Create three different concepts for the Portfolio Sampler design.
    2. Sketch the Portfolio Sampler design in thumbnail form.
    3. Verify that your work meets thumbnail criteria.
    4. Submit thumbnails to the art director for sign off / approval.

Step 6: Develop rough layouts.

    1. Develop roughs from thumbnails which were approved by the art director.
    2. Rough layouts will be to size of the final Portfolio Sampler and communicate more detail than the thumbnails.
    3. Verify that your work meets roughs criteria.
    4. Submit roughs to the art director for sign off / approval.

Step 7: Submit rough layouts to the project coordinator.

    1. After the art director approves your roughs, meet with the project coordinator and present your designs.
    2. The project coordinator will sign off and approve the design to be taken to final stage.

Step 8: Determine the feasability and cost issues.

    1. Determine the skills and steps needed to produce your design (digital strategy).
    2. Determine where and how it can best be produced.
    3. Ask the instructors about any issues you are unsure of.
    4. When it is clear that you understand how to produce your design correctly and efficiently, go into production of the piece.

Step 9: Produce the digital comp.

    1. Create all native files (raster and vector images).
    2. Assemble text and images using a page layout program.
    3. Make backup copies of all files after each work session.
    4. Print a black and white laser proof and check for correctness and accuracy.
    5. Have "DIGITAL COMP CRITIQUE / PEER REVIEW" of your grayscale digital comp.
    6. Make appropriate revisions.
    7. Copy all final documents to the server folder(s) specified by the client and production manager.
    8. Make an appointment with your instructor for sign off / approval.

Step 10: Verify correct file preparation with your lab instructor.

    1. Make an appointment with your lab instructor to sign off on the following:
      • hand in studio (lab) time sheet
      • show back up filing system
      • discuss file organization and naming conventions
      • discuss learning strategies
    2. Verify:
      • Correct raster file sampling and preparation.
      • Correct vector file preparation.
      • Correct font choices and styles.
      • Correct color usage.
      • Complete service provider package

Step 11: Submit final comp to the project coordinator for sign off / approval.

    1. Project should be handed into your project coordinator for display at the SFCC Graphic Design Student Show
    2. Project coordinator should receive all digital documents and a composite pdf file on the server for archival purposes.

Step 12: Fill out self-assessments:

    • Projects
    • Process
    • Technology
    • Lab