For senior visual art students, four years of work will be presented to potential employers and the public at the annual Portfolio Show this Friday evening.
The show will feature work from more than 40 graphic design, photography, illustration and digital cinema majors. Most students showcase their work in portfolio books or on boards in addition to personal websites.
Todd Goehner, associate professor of visual arts, has spent the semester teaching the portfolio class to prepare students for the show. He said the show serves two purposes: for the students to network with professionals and show their work to friends, family and faculty.
“This is a great event for students to showcase their hard work, and it is great way for them to ease into the interviewing process and become comfortable with talking about their work,” Goehner said. “They often receive good constructive feedback and interview offers. We usually have between 30 and 50 professionals attend the portfolio review.”
The professionals are invited to attend the show beginning at 4:30 p.m. They are given the chance to talk to the students, hear presentations and ask questions. In the past, several students have received interviews
after connecting with companies from the portfolio show.
Madison Gies, senior graphic design major, said that the portfolio class was more challenging than she expected, but she is proud of the work she has accomplished.
“I’m most proud the progress I have made as a designer. I took this semester seriously and improved a lot because of it,” Gies said. “Ninety percent of the work in my portfolio has come from this semester alone, so I’m proud that I was able to create quality work in just a few months.”
Lindy Martin, senior graphic design major, said she was especially happy with her package design project. “I really enjoyed making something tangible,” she said. She also said that the class and show have helped her feel more prepared for finding a job after graduation.
Gies said her portfolio has required more time than she expected.
“I never ever wanted to be one of those seniors who was caught up in portfolio, but it totally happened,” Gies said. “There’s a balance between taking your major seriously and becoming an expert in your field, then there’s becoming obsessed with little details that don’t matter.”
“This semester was difficult,” Gies said. “I grew a lot and turned out a lot of good work. I learned what it’s like to work really, really hard at what’s important to me. But I’m also glad it’s over.”
The event will be open to the public at 6:30 p.m. in the Simmons Great Hall.