AIGA Portfolio Review 2018

Robert Lopez of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIU-C) took on the responsibility of orchestration of the portfolio review portion of the AIGA’s annual student conference on Saturday February 10, 2018. I’m glad they still had me on a list of willing portfolio reviewers. As reviewer, I am once again, impressed by the quality of design and professional presentations made by these aspiring artist/designers.

The event hosted at Maryville University featured speakers (Roxy Prima and Phoebe Cornog of Pandr Design Co., and Dan Funderburgh.a Brooklyn-based illustrator, artist, and wallpaper designer), workshops in addition to the opportunity to have a few local professionals review and critique their portfolios.There was plenty of opportunity to meet and greet.

College students facing the prospect of becoming job seekers are encouraged to participate in the portfolio review sessions to get some real world feedback. I had the pleasure of sessions with Jonathan Neal (UMSL), Tyler Clemons (Millikin University), Jack Prange (SIU-C),Claire Nipper (Truman State University), Kory Wood (UMSL), Adrianne “Annie” Mathews and Lyubov Sheremeta (Stephens College). More than 100 students were a part of this conference. They came from nearby, far and wide. Reviewers included executive recruiter Bob Bishop, design firm owner/president Dave Cox, event trade show designer Jamie Kidd and Kim Watson of Pinacle Graphics.

My advice, as always, is to seek out advisors in and around the quality of work for which you hope to be associated. Contact them and start with a courtesy interviews. Build your network and your personal brand by listening carefully. Happy Hunting!