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Portfolio Class Advisory Program Guide

In the Virginia Tech Industrial Design program’s portfolio class, students discuss what makes a good portfolio and work towards bringing to life a portfolio that represents their work. VT’s Industrial Design Advisory Board (IDAB) is working in collaboration with the portfolio class instructor, Brook Kennedy, to provide 1-on-1 opportunities for students to meet with design professionals for progress reviews and advisory.

Important Info and Dates

 

The portfolio class meets intermittently on Tuesdays throughout the Fall Semester, beginning on August 24th. Portfolio class advisors are asked to meet virtually a minimum of two times with their assigned students, during Week 3 and Week 10.

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Schedule

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Student Final Deliverables

This due date may seem a bit spread out. Long story short, that’s because the portfolio class won’t be meeting every single Tuesday. 

 

The final deliverable requirements:

  • Online portfolio draft in Behance or another online platform

  • 3-4 major projects

  • “About” and “Contact” section

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Goals of Portfolio Class Advisory Program

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  • Ensure students are able to speak to and showcase their work effectively within a predefined window of time

  • Help students understand what is and is not successful in their layout and presentation

  • Share with students typical expectations of candidates within the hiring process

  • Increase student preparedness and confidence for their participation in this fall's portfolio review at JMU, November 12-13.

  • Expose VTID alumni and professional friends to our promising and talented VTID students

  • Provide opportunities for students to connect directly with design professionals

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Meeting Structure

 

We ask that you meet a minimum of two times with your student. Of course, you are welcome to meet more frequently if that is better for you both. These advisory meetings are intended to be short, concise sessions, similar to what is achieved during a portfolio review. Students will be instructed to walk through their portfolio or a specific project within a 10-minute period. Following a students’ presentation, advisors should provide students with any critiques, comments, or suggestions for improvement.

 

Tuesday, September 7 - Monday, September 13

  • Set up your first mandatory meeting with your assigned student. It should be no longer than 30 minutes

  • Students will be instructed by faculty to have 1 project ready for professional feedback.

  • Make sure your meeting includes:

    • Introductory conversation - Who are you? What do you do? Why’d you want to participate? Who is the student? What are they hoping to do after college?

    • Student portfolio presentation - Please make sure this is no longer than 10 minutes. If they go over, it’s important that you communicate that to them.

    • Review and critique - Did the student effectively tell their story? Where can they improve? How well is their work presented? What do you hope to see in Week 10?

 

Tuesday, October 26 - Monday, November 1

  • Set up your second mandatory meeting with your assigned student. It should be no longer than 30 minutes

  • Students will be instructed by faculty to have 1 project ready for professional feedback. There should be great and noticeable improvement/progress.

  • Make sure your meeting includes:

    • Short check-in - How have they been? What are their thoughts on the class thus far?

    • Student portfolio presentation - Please make sure this is no longer than 10 minutes. Again, if they go over, please communicate that to them.

    • Review and critique - How effective were they this time? Where have they improved? What do they still need to work on?

    • Next steps - If possible, try to keep the door open to conversation and advice with your student. Though, if you do not have the time or if your connection with the student is not there, no sweat!

 

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FAQ

 

Who hosts the virtual meeting sessions?

That’s up to you and your assigned student. If there is a preferred virtual meeting platform, go with that! Each student has a personal Zoom room, so that’s always an option.

 

What do I do if my student never replies to my correspondence?

Contact us and we’ll get it sorted! Preferably, email both IDAB (vt.idab@gmail.com) and Brook (brook.kennedy@vt.edu) so we can get a hold of the student and figure out what’s going on (though if you have our personal numbers or want to DM us on the VTID Alumni Slack that will get things going quickly as well). Even if it’s only been a few days, don’t hesitate to reach out - it’s better to get ahead of it because a delay can really put the student in a rough spot with deadlines.

 

Can I talk to the class instructor?

Yes! If you have thoughts or questions about the class, its goals, or about your assigned student, Brook (brook.kennedy@vt.edu) can answer your questions. 

 

Can I chat with other portfolio class advisors?

Yes! The easiest way to speak to other advisors is through the VTID Alumni Slack channel, #portfolio-class-advisory-program. Feel free to chat about how your meetings are going, trends you’re seeing, general thoughts you have about student portfolios, etc.

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