04.02.08 12:50

I was at this show and I could not agree more with all of the comment of this post.

Professors have done a great disservice to their students if they felt their students were ready for the design world.

All professors should point their students to this post! What a great resource.



Thanks danny boy.

Tym

04.04.08 04:51

I especially enjoyed Dan's comments about being an individual and standing out in your own unique way.

Your portfolio should reflect your personal style. Most of the portfolios were aluminum covers with plastic sleeves which showed little or no creativity. It appeared everyone was going for the 'BORG' style. FYI: That's BAD. Your portfolio case or book can be your best or worst piece. Think outside the box. Create an EXPERIENCE! Make me giddy just looking at it. That's what winning designers do.

My own portfolio case was a large, vintage leather suitcase with brass hardware (found it on Ebay) that I retro-fitted with a brass and glass porthole (round window from a ship). I lined it with black crushed velvet to show my affinity for all things retro and whimsical but my black foam-core boards and velvet interior gave it a very classy, professional touch. Everyone who saw my case couldn't resist looking through the porthole...And through my portfolio.

Another memorable presentation from years past was that of Kimball Clark. His portfolio was a oversize, custom-built red shoebox branded with his logo. Kimball also wore bright red shoes and had other shoe-themed elements throughout. One reviewer found it over-the-top. "Maybe so", said Kimball, "but you'll never forget me." Very true. That was 4 or 5 years ago and it still makes me laugh. I can't remember a single other portfolio from that year.

Overall, this was the weakest of the 6 or so AIGA portfolio reviews I've attended over the years.

I appreciated Dorthea Brundage's presentation. (USU) Hers was a great example of a designer who understands what design is all about. PRESENTATION IS PARAMOUNT! Her pieces, her custom-made case and her stationery exuded her personal style. Anyone hiring her would know exactly what kind of work she's best at. And she will attract employers who appreciate and want her fresh palette and classic, clean style.

There were a few other bright spots, I loved Whitney Shaw's work.
Whitney Shaw, UofU, understood BRANDING and had branded herself in her own unmistakable style with impressive, and whimsical letter-press business cards, mini buttons and Threadless.com T-shirts. She already had many real-world pieces 'out in the wild'. Whitney was colorful and obviously loved what she was doing, probably because she was doing what she loved –in her own unique way.

Zach Thompson, WSU, had some fun and creative skateboard decks he designed on display. He also had a customized aluminum book to go with his Helvetican Army brand mojo.

Nicole Erickson, WSU, had the standard aluminum book with plastic sleeves but clearly spent a lot of time on the details and deserves serious props. Her vellum intro pages for each piece were a very nice touch. I enjoyed seeing her sketches and process for each piece as well. Oh, and she had some classy bottles of water that caught everyone's attention. I'm not sure anyone drank the water but the choice of bottles was nice and like Zach's boards, made people take notice.

Honorable mentions:

I liked Dena Bahar's (UofU) wIne bottle and Brad Hoen's (BYU?) Reign Snowboards piece as well as his thick business cards that likely wiped out several endangered species habitats in the Brazilian Amazon.

I liked a BYU Idaho student's outdoor photography. He seemed to enjoy that more than his design, as did I. He had no business cards.

One designer, UofU? on the back row who is currently interning at Struck had an impressive portfolio containing a few real-world pieces that I enjoyed. I don't think he had business cards.

A WSU Student on the edge of the room had a good brand/theme running through his portfolio. I have no idea who he was, he had no business cards.

My overall advice to all students:

1. Get into the field as fast as you can! While still in college! While still in high school! NOW! You'll learn more in a few months in the real world than in a year at school and it'll pay-off BIG TIME when it's time to graduate. (You'll probably already have a great job and a KILLER Portfolio.)
2. Be aware of and develop your very own unique style and brand yourself.
3. Do what you LOVE, do it WELL and you will always be happy!
4. What?! No website? Get a website ASAP! Welcome to the year 2000! Wait, that was 8 years ago. Welcome to 2008! You need to have a website and have your web address printed on SOMETHING to give away.

A few of the designers I mentioned here had at least 3 of these 4 things and they will go far, fast.

Andrew E. Clark

04.08.08 10:01

Brad Hoen is a UVU student.

Keep in mind that not all students who showed their books are graduating seniors. There were a fair amount of juniors that wanted to gain some experience presenting their portfolios with the purpose of being better prepared next year. That brings me to the argument that the AIGA portfolio review has two purposes:
1 - an educational aspect to it (you as professionals giving feedback to students and helping them understand what it takes to thrive in the industry),
2 - giving professionals a chance to meet potential employees.

We as professors are not under the mistaken impression that all of are graduates are "ready" for the industry. As a former art director and creative director, I fully realize which students are ready to go and which will struggle. The review can serve as a nice wake up call for students that need to do better work.

We appreciate everyone who takes the time to give students feedback.

Jim Godfrey

04.08.08 22:47

Although I agree with many of the blog comments regarding the recent AIGASLC Student Portfolio Review, I feel it is a little over the top on its rant against presentation binders. I believe successful design firms are no longer interested in the clever or crafty design of a custom portfolio box and/or binder as much as they are with what should be in the box –  good design. While good design can be clever and entertaining, we stress to our students in the Vis Com program at Weber State that sound solutions, strong concepts, solid type, and craftsmanship is in itself professionalism and good presentation. We believe the purpose of a student's portfolio is first and foremost to show a potential employer that the student has the knowledge and creative talent to be a productive contributer to that employer's business or organization. We also stress process rather than "specific deciplines" – methodology that will translate into strong print and web design, branding and even (heaven forbid) style. I think this showed in the work of the two Weber State students applauded by Dan, Zak Thompson and Nicole Erickson, who both had aluminum binders. 
Larry Clarkson
Co-director Vis Com Program
Weber State University

Larry Clarkson

04.10.08 22:36

I Requested that Dan delete my previous post due to something I wrote that I regretted immediately after posting. Here is the exact post just with a minor edit.

It goes without saying the actual work is critical. There is no point in assembling the work if the design is not up to snuff. The presentation is part of the students personal brand and this is what gets the response.

At this review I am shopping for a good experience and possibly a co worker. Nothing really at the show was SPECTACULAR . I think Dan's initial post points out the obvious stand outs that I think everyone stopped to look at.

I feel there were others that had good stuff that Dan may have missed. I wish I would have taken notes to comment appropriately on those that I noticed! I have a stack of cards here and I honestly can not remember who did what work. Websites would be great to jog the old memory.

Now, lets ask why did Dan miss 80% of the students? In the design world we call this failure to communicate with the target audience.

Better question may be why 20% of the students were visited by 90% of the professionals? The PROs were dying to see the "WOW". In the design world this is what we call hitting the target audience. The reward; EXPOSURE.

*note: All stated percentages are completely made up!


SUMMING UP:
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I agree with Larry that the contents of the Book is paramount.
I disagree with Larry on the importance of the book itself. I see the presentation as the brand of the student.

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To Jim: A "Wake up call" at the end of the journey? When does the professor say to the student the work is sub par? I am reminded by the wisdom imparted by the great and wise Mr. Miyagi.
"Danielson, Grape on left side of road no squish! Grape on right side of road, no squish! Grape in middle of road, SQUISH!"

You are either a designer on the right or your not on the left. Dabbling in the middle without full commitment is a hard way to make a living, SQUISH! It is for their own safety that the students need to be told where they are and which side of the road they should be on to keep them safe.

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To Tym: Why do you spell your name with a "Y?"

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To Andrew: I totally remember the shoebox portfolio! Bravo on the memory.

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To Dan: I thought I knew who you were but it was a mistake in identity. My previous comment may still apply. Nice Posts so please keep it up. It is nice to have local flavor.

kavichi

04.14.08 15:15

Students need inspiring, constructive, and oft times brutal feedback from professors AND professionals within the field. This is healthy and oft times the catalyst for positive change. If a student takes offense to constructive feedback, there are masses of local businesses who need production designers and will gladly accept Papyrus and Curlz.

In college, I was overwhelmed by my drawing professor because his excessive assignments dwarfed my family life. My sacrifices in his class were ultimately healthy for my family, because it taught me reliability and diligence—principles I had not expected to learn. To those students who felt overwhelmed at the review for whatever reason, please remember your portfolio includes character. Taking the time to make the suggested minor adjustments WILL make a difference.

What a great blog! I appreciate TopThought Studios for generating rabid discussion amongst our design community.

I am an old design rat (not as old as Larry Clarkson), and have attended this marvelous AIGA event consecutively for the last four years as a professional reviewer. Since 2003 I have run my own profitable business, and in 2004 I was fortunate to be a participating student in the portfolio review (I lugged in the heavy shoe box). For the past year I have been empowering designers as a design instructor at Eagle Gate College. Enough about me.

Joanne Chournos and Vanessa Watkins were two Eagle Gate students that attended the review. Eagle Gate's design students enroll in a fast-paced, 18 month design program where they earn an Associates of Science in Graphic Design. A Bachelor's Degree will soon be offered at our school. Our participating students understood their work would be critiqued alongside 3 and 4 year university students. Since the review, Joanne and Vanessa are feeling an unsettling urge to improve, and commented the event "raised the bar" for their portfolios. Mission accomplished.
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My Favorites:

Dena Bahar (UofU) mastered in simplicity, her use of white space was very pleasing. Her logos were simple, creative and easy to understand. She would make an excellent candidate for Pentagram.

Whitney Shaw (UofU) was already a proven professional. She displayed two designs that I had previously recognized on Threadless T-Shirts, and her abundant letterpress examples revealed a friendly identity and professionalism within a niche market. I believe she would be a great children's book Illustrator/Designer. I had no critiques for her and felt she was already an accomplished professional.

Arnold DePorres (?), in my opinion, had the greatest talent. His portfolio was very diverse, ranging from experimental typography, captivating identity, stunning texture, and unique packaging design. This is the same guy Andrew mentioned. Arnold is no longer interning at Struck, but obviously learned a great deal from their tutelage.

Dorthea Brundage's (USU) portfolio case was inspiring to all, and I appreciated her honesty in telling the reviewers she didn't make it. This does not show weakness, but her ability to delegate. She was dressed professionally and showed work for existing clientele within her portfolio. Amongst her compilation, she had a very strong restaurant logo that was a sight to behold. I feel she will be a great "general" amongst designers because she can design, delegate, AND sell.

Zach Thompson (WSU) had a unique style. He disliked that his portfolio was faddish, but there was no denying he was a definite king of the fad. I don't believe designing in a certain style is damaging, so long as your work is functional and attractive to the intended audience. The skateboards added great variety to his work, but I felt his most impressive piece was his unique means of "embossing" his aluminum portfolio. I won't reveal the secret, in hopes that Zach may patent his process.

Keenan Cummings (BYU-Provo) had some cool book covers with a Constructivist style. After a small discussion with him, I found he was on to something big. He put a lot of thought to his work, as displayed in his odd business card, and will no doubt conquer in some unforeseeable fashion.
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Program Accolades:

University of Utah's professors disallowed stock photography. I applaud this teaching. When a designer settles on sterile stock photography that is blind to the intended consumer and concept, the final visual message is greatly depleted. I was thrilled to see UofU portfolios filled with magnificent, unique and high resolution photography.

BYU-Provo's design program displayed great letterpress work. This traditional printing method has inspired me a great deal and has reminded me of traditional methods such as the darkroom, the chemicals, and the cold wet prints. I am happy to see students work in a traditional art form that brings understanding to the intense efforts involved in printing processes.

BYU-Idaho, as in the past, continued to show a strong turnout. Last year my overall favorite was an exceptional student from BYU-Idaho that favored motion graphics.

WSU tends to bring forward a few superstars every year that will accomplish much after graduation.

Provo College had two students with illustration portfolios. Although their presentations lacked essential examples of typography, I admit their traditional illustrative works provided a haven of relief. Eagle Gate College is their partner college. Objectively, I believe some of their work fared better than multiple University portfolios.

It's nice to see career colleges step up to the plate.

Kimball Clark
Eagle Gate College

Kimball