DEG 460: BFA Portfolio
Polish your presentation of work for clients and employers
In this class, you will finalize your portfolio, business materials, and resume, in preparation for pursuing or advancing your design career. Working with your instructor, you will hone your BFA-level projects into a persuasive presentation of final work. The course structure includes the opportunity to enhance your portfolio as well as demonstrate your ability to effectively communicate the depth of your creative and technical skills, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, work ethic, and passion for developing impactful and compelling professional work.
About This Course
Project-Based Learning
The main focus of this course will be on assembling your portfolio. The first draft submission will be to your instructor at the midpoint of term. The second submission will be at end of term, where you will present your final work to your instructor and your classmates.
What Skills Will I Develop?
Students in this course can expect to learn to:
- The ability to pull together a body of work into a cohesive portfolio that provides an effective platform for advancing your career.
- The ability to assess your current portfolio, identify enhancements, and improve your work based on your portfolio goals.
- The ability to improve your work by analyzing and acting upon feedback, and to give constructive feedback to other artists and designers.
- The ability to write a creative statement describing your approach to creatively solving problems as well as producing and finalizing your work.
- The ability to create effective versions of your portfolio in different media: hardcopy portfolio, digital portfolio, online portfolio, and sell sheet.
- The ability to prepare a strong selection of your work for online exhibition.
- The ability to effectively communicate your ideas visually, in written form, and through a presentation.
What Software and Supplies Do I Need?
To take this course, you'll need:
- Computer with Internet connection.
- Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign CC.
Course Instructor(s)
The course is taught by the following instructor(s):
Dr. Meryl Epstein
Dr. Meryl P. Epstein is the Dean of Academic Affairs for Sessions College. Meryl has extensive experience in design, education, and leading academic teams and has served as Dean of Academic Affairs, Program Chair, Doctoral Development Faculty, Art Director, Graphic Design Manager, Faculty member, and Exhibiting Artist/Photographer.
Andrew Shalat
Andrew Shalat is an author, designer/illustrator, educator, and Mac expert who is a regular speaker at Macworld and has written several books on design for McGraw-Hill and Peachpit Press.
Course Outline
Start Where You Are
You've come a long way in this program. We will begin the class with a review of your existing portfolio, in which we will get familiar with the portfolio requirements for this class.
Curating Your Work.
We will roll up our sleeves and assess how to curate your work and structure each presentation to create a "Wow sandwich."
Preparing for Your Presentation.
We will address how your portfolio class fits into your larger goals of channeling constructive feedback, marketing yourself, optimizing your presentations, and acing your interviews.
Assessment Criteria
Student work will be evaluated to assess the achievement of program outcomes defined for their Bachelor's Degree program. Please consult the appropriate program page for a complete statement of program outcomes.
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- Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design
- Bachelor's Degree in Web Design
- Bachelor's Degree in Digital Photography
Here's a summary of expected components:
Number of Pieces Due By Hardcopy portfolio 10-15 pieces Due Week 14 Digital portfolio PDF 10-15 pieces 1st draft due Week 8, 2nd draft due Week 14 Portfolio website 10-20 pieces 1st draft due Week 8, 2nd draft due Week 14 Sell sheet At least two portfolio pieces 1st draft due Week 8, 2nd draft due Week 14 BFA Portfolio Show submission No more than 10 pieces Due Week 12
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Do The Courses Work?
Our courses are project-based and instructor-led. In each course you’ll complete a series of lectures, projects, discussions, and critiques designed to stretch your creative skills. Weekly assignment deadlines keep you on track, so you can build your studies around your schedule. Two live Zoom meetings in this course provide the opportunity to work 1to1 with your instructor.
Who Are The Instructors?
Our courses are developed and taught by our industry-leading faculty of creative professionals. This means that you’ll learn in-demand skills, get feedback on your work, and build a portfolio of creative work. View our Student Gallery for featured student projects.
When Can I Start?
Classes start January, April, and August, and this course is completed in a 15-week term. This course is part of a Bachelor's Degree program at Sessions College.
How Do I Register?
To register for a program, complete our program application. This course is not available for individual enrollment; it can only be taken as part of a program.
Is Sessions College Accredited?
Yes. Since 2001, Sessions College has been accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).