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Sophomore Portfolio Review

Sophomore Portfolio Review 2011
Instructions, Evaluations, Outcomes
Graphic Design program · MARCH 31, 2011

Download full description of the review process

OVERVIEW

In order to take 300- and 400- level courses in the Graphic Design program, students are required to meet all prerequisite requirements. This includes both those courses which are listed as prerequisites (online at www.pdx.edu/art/graphic-design under the Major Requirements heading) and the  If students have not passed the Review, then regardless of experience or class standing they are not qualified to take 300- or 400-level courses. Transfer students who are ready to begin 3rd and 4th year requirements must also pass the Review. The purpose of this Review is to ensure that students
are learning the skills required for successful completion of the program.

Portfolios are reviewed by members of the graphic design faculty according to the categories outlined in the EVALUATION CRITERIA QUALITY LEVELS (available in this document) and are given scores of: 1·Unacceptable, 2·Sophomore Level, 3·Strong, 4·Advanced, 5·Excellent. (A description of the Review criteria and quality levels is distributed during the Spring term at the Sophomore Review Information Sessions.) The final score determines a result of either a Pass or a No Pass.
 
Do not assume that having received good grades in classes assures a passing score in the Review. Course grades are determined by factors such as attendance, participation, quizzes and tests, reading assignments, process work, exercises, and software skills as well as the creative work. Portfolio pieces for the Review, however, will be judged according to their own merits, without reference to all the factors named above.

This Review is based primarily on creative performance. Supporting documentation such as a writing sample, contextual statements, and process notebook contribute to the evaluation as secondary elements. The focus of the Review is on the totality of the projects presented, with emphasis placed on the ability to demonstrate the expertise needed to be successful in 300- and 400-level courses.

OBJECTIVES / BENEFITS

Students of design gain useful experience by compiling and presenting a graphic design portfolio. Portfolios are the primary tool used in the profession to evaluate and hire graphic designers.
 
Students will receive feedback regarding their overall body of work. This will be in the form of an evaluation sheet outlining relative areas of strengths and weaknesses, based on the EVALUATION CRITERIA QUALITY LEVELS found within this document. This feedback is a very important aspect of the
Review, as a student’s strengths and areas that need improvement are evaluated best by providing commentary across a body of work. Example: reviewing an entire body of work may demonstrate strong typographic ability, but reveal that similar color and compositional solutions are employed on multiple assignments.

Students work on their critical thinking skills by writing about their ideas and design process with regard to one piece of their own work. This is crucial, as professional designers  are expected to communicate effectively both orally and in writing about their work.