Fall 2014 Syllabus

Course Title: Portfolio Production
Course Number: MAAB409
Class Meetings: (To be completed by instructor)
Session/Year: (To be completed by instructor)
Instructor Name: (To be completed by instructor)
Email Address: (To be completed by instructor)
Phone: (To be completed by instructor)
Instructor Availability Outside of Class: (To be completed by instructor)
Portfolio Production

Course Description:
This course prepares students for entry-level employment within the industry by assisting them with the development and presentation of a professional portfolio that reflects the stated exit competencies. Students will demonstrate an advanced skill-set in areas such as conceptual thinking, design, craftsmanship, and other skills, as projects are refined and assembled into a cohesive, comprehensive body of work. Particular emphasis will be placed on identifying short- and long-term professional employment goals, industry and professional related resources and standards, portfolio development and presentation strategies.
Prerequisite(s): Permission
Corequisite(s): None
Instructional Contact Hours/Credits:
(Please insert the number of weeks, hours, lecture hours, and lab hours the class meets. This must match the language in your catalog.)
Course Length: 11 Weeks
Contact Hours: 66 hours
Lecture: 33 hours
Lab: 33 hours
Credit Values: 4.0 Credits
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:
Demonstrate craftsmanship (organization, neatness, precision)
• Exhibit solutions in a finished manner
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• Exercise attention to detail
Develop, analyze, and refine creative concepts from initial idea as thumbnail sketches to final product
• Analyze and define creative challenges in message making
Select and apply appropriate visual elements
• Apply the design process to specific goal-focused problem solving
Utilize basic terminology and concepts of design and media
• Evaluate which media options may be most effective
Develop practical skills in design, scheduling, budgeting, leadership, production, and project documentation
• Select and apply various management strategies in business situations
Initiate creative solutions to graphic design challenges utilizing fundamental design principles.
• Create a design solution that communicates a concept
Apply time management skills to the development and production of projects
• Prioritize, budget time, and sequence tasks
Articulate and defend concepts
• Recommend and apply creative typographic solutions to design problems
Demonstrate effective verbal and visual presentation skills
• Initiate the selection of final portfolio pieces
• Exhibit solutions in a finished manner suitable for client presentation
• Evaluate and organize researched information for effective presentation
Critique and evaluate design solutions
• Develop and use critical thinking in the design process
Meet deadlines according to project specifications
• Select and apply various management strategies in business situations
Examine and differentiate personal and career goals
• Evaluate personal and professional skills and interests relative to their application in possible career paths
Present a portfolio and articulate strength
• Update resume and projects that reflect the individual’s most marketable skills and qualities
Design and Develop a web presence
• Utilize appropriate file formats
• Design and develop a web presence with appropriate text and graphics
Course Prerequisites: All previous courses in curriculum and AD approval.

Textbook(s):.
Technology Needed: Macintosh computers running MacOS10.x with an Internet connection, flatbed scanners, Wacom tablets, printers, software including word processing, illustration, layout and design, virus utilities. Students should have removable hard or flash drive for personal file storage.
Grading Scale:
All assignments must have clear criteria and objectives meet. All students shall be treated equitably. It will be that student’s right to know his/her grade at any reasonable point that information is requested by that student. The criteria for determining a student’s grade shall be as follows (on a percentage of total points basis):
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A 100-93
A- 92-90
B+ 89-87
B 86-83
B- 82-80
C+ 79-77
C 76-73
C- 72-70
D+ 69-67
D 66-65
F 64 or below

Process for Evaluation: (To be completed by instructor)
Student Evaluation / Grading Policies: (To be completed by instructor)
Classroom Policy: (To be completed by instructor)
Student Art Work: (To be completed by instructor)
Students with Disabilities:
The Art Institute of is committed to providing qualified students with a disability an equal opportunity to access the benefits, rights and privileges of school services, programs and activities. The Art Institute of provides reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities.
Accommodation requests should be submitted as far in advance as possible. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Student Affairs Department to initiate this process (phone #). The Student Affairs Department will assist qualified students with disabilities in acquiring reasonable and appropriate accommodations.
Attendance Policy: (To be completed by instructor)
Student Conduct Policy: (To be completed by instructor)
LRC Assignment: (To be completed by instructor)
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Suggested Weekly Outline
Week 1: Explain aspects of a professional-level portfolio stressing focus, direction, and marketing perspectives.
Review projects for portfolio selection.
Week 2: How to analyze, sequence, and prioritize portfolio pieces.
Identify weaknesses and strengths of various pieces.
Review projects for portfolio selection.
Week 3: Format for individual pieces
Work on updating selected pieces.
Week 4: Project refinement
Preliminary Portfolio Review I (selection of portfolio projects).
Week 5: Project refinement
Copyright laws and ethical use of copyrighted materials.
Explanation of how to protect work.
Week 6: Student continues updating and also assesses any copyrighted materials in use.
Week 7: How to identify potential employers and clients
Week 8: Pre-Final Portfolio Review II.
Week 9: Portfolio feedback
Week 10: Interviewing Techniques.
FINAL evaluation of portfolio projects
Students submit final completed portfolio for review at public presentation.
Week 11: Present at the portfolio show.