Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- create a professional portfolio for different purposes
- use a portfolio as a promotional tool
- use a portfolio as a means of developing their professional profiles.

Learning environment

Zoom, plus computer classroom. Individual distance working spaces.

Student time use and work load

- Student is required to collect and organize all the designs/works in one place / file (online) before starting to design the portfolio.
- Student is required to work and develop the portfolio outside the contact hours. Contact hours can be also used for photographing the design works if necessary.

Contents

The course is targeted especially at Packaging and Brand Design students and is suitable for exchange students in related fields, for example, Industrial Design and Graphic Design.

During this course, a student learns to compare various professional online portfolios and platforms in an open and dialogic environment. After benchmarking and comparing different types of portfolios, the student will select the base style that fits the best for her/his personal works and needs. Then the student designs their own portfolio. For example, the student can concentrate on a portfolio for applying for student exchange, for seeking a summer job or a training place, or making a generic designer portfolio, easily alterable for future purposes.

During the course, the student also practices organizational, time management, and presentation skills. The student will learn to express her professional goals and articulate his/her personal design identity. As a result, the target is that the portfolio will reflect the student’s creativity, personal interests and will demonstrate clearly the student's real skills and abilities as a designer. Actually, the portfolio will be a part of the student's own personal brand.

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

Note: Illustration and Photoshop skills are not mandatory but preferred! The course is not about teaching and learning any specific platform or software to build a portfolio. The teacher will act more like a coach or a guide, and the students need to learn to use the chosen platform on their own.

Assessment criteria

Assessment of the portfolio is based on the outcome and quality of the published portfolio, its structure, usability, accessibility, and visuality of it.

The portfolios are peer-reviewed and self-evaluated besides the teacher's feedback.

Activity, participation, and willingness to help others in the class are very much appreciated.

Assessment scale

Approved/Failed

Failed (0)

- The portfolio is not published
- The student has not participated actively in the course and tasks. Note: participation includes giving feedback on other students' works and portfolios.

Assessment criteria: assessment scale failed/approved

The course is passed:
- If the portfolio is published and
- If the student has actively taken part in the course (participation in Zoom, exercises/homework and contact hours 80%)

The course is failed:
- If the student has not published the portfolio
- If the student has not actively taken part in the course (participation in Zoom, exercises/homework and contact hours less than 80%)

Note: Participation includes also giving feedback on other students' works and portfolios.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

- Has used a template or made a basic portfolio
- Is able to justify the choices made
- Takes part in contact hours and gives feedback
- The overall quality is satisfactory

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

- Has adapted the templates or benchmarked portfolios for own needs.
- Has defined spontaneously the basis and choices of the portfolio.
- Has been goal-oriented and iterative in the given tasks and in the feedback.
- The overall quality is good.

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

- Has chosen and adapted different kinds of techniques, ways of working, and information in the given tasks.
- Has defined spontaneously the basis and choices and can argue and explain well the choices made.
- Showcases innovative and alternative solutions and is helping other students in building better portfolios.
- The overall quality is excellent.