PORTF OLIO 1-ON-1

DAY ONE STUDIO TOURS & SCHOLARSHIPS

WHICH DESIGN FIRM WAS YOUR FAVORITE?

- I honestly liked them all, but it was great to see how a bigger place (Mono) would compare to a smaller place (Aesthetic Apparatus), and how they are both successful in their own ways. -The Thorburn Group. Imagehaus was also awesome. - My favorite had to be YYES. It’s a small two person team, and they gave us general advice about AIGA and portfolio reviews in addition to telling us what they did. -Our group toured Capsule, Pixel Farm, and Catalyst. Pixel Farm was really interesting, but Capsule was probably my favorite because the atmosphere of the firm seemed casual, and their firm included several different areas such as: packaging, identity, and interactive

HOW WERE YOU INSPIRED?

-To believe that what I am doing as a designer is important. And also not to give up or get discouraged. -By going to the different studios and seeing all the neat things, and just seeing successful designers so excited and happy with their jobs. -After getting back to school on Saturday night, I thought I would go to bed right away, but I was actually very motivated to work on my GD2 project instead. I took what I hear the last two days and tried to put it to good use -Two out of the three places we toured have UW-Stout grads working there. This was encouraging.

WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF THE STUDIO TOURS?

- Getting to see what each place works on, and how they execute it. -Seeing what it would actually be like to work at different studios; the atmosphere, the space, the people. -Seeing how the atmosphere changes between studios. It’s crazy how different they are.

SCHOLARSH IP

DAY TWO PORTFOLIO REVIEWS

DID YOU ATTEND ANY WORKSHOP S?

-Design after Puberty, Design + Networking. I learned in an interview, it is your portfolio but also YOU that counts. Employers want to know that you're a type of person they could work with well and get along with. When in doubt, err on the side of courtesy, humility, pleasantry, niceness, etc. But also try to be yourself. Treat the employer with respect. And always send a thank you! -I attended the sustainability one, but it was not interesting and very dry.

WHAT WAS THE MOST HELPFUL ADVICE YOU RECIEVED ON YOUR PORTFOLIO?

-I received a very helpful and interesting piece of advice, and that was to work on projects that are both feminine and masculine. For example, redesign an identity for a cupcake shop, and for some power tools. This will show your skills and flexibility. -Expand and do more with projects you like. Apply a logo further on more things. It is your portfolio, so if you want to change a class project for your portfolio so you like it better, DO IT! -It was too small and which projects I should take out and that I should take my other projects and expand them. -To make the pages bigger, and to consider bringing along samples of work (especially my screen printing and hand illustrated pieces)

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU WOULD HAVE DONE PRIOR TO PORTFOLIO 1 ON 1?

-Order/make thicker or more professional looking business cards. Not ones just printed on card stock. -Make nicer business cards -Look over my work and practice explaining it and talking about it. -Expanded several projects a bit before, and worked on my book A LOT SOONER. At least a month before, not two weeks like I did. -Taken better quality pictures of my work, also wish I would've revisited some projects so I could have included them.

ANY ADVICE FOR THE INEVITABLE MASS AMOUNT OF STOUT KIDS GOING NEXT YEAR?

-Practice talking about your work and be passionate about what you do. Be able to explain your projects. -This is an awesome experience and everyone should attend, DON'T WAIT TILL YOU'RE A SENIOR! -Sophomores, juniors, seniors and everyone should go. Many people were impressed with my drive to attend as a sophomore, and gave great advice based on what direction to head in now, and how to succeed next time around at Portfolio 1-on-1. -There was this one girl from a different school who was really annoying and kind of obviously trying too hard to make connections with people. Be conscious of people's time, don't be pushy, be genuine, and "people are just people" don't be scared.

SHARE PORTFOLIOS, WHILE WE TALLY UP VOTES. AW YEAH.