This course follows an aggressive schedule that requires exceptional diligence and perseverance from each student. The output of the course is of utmost importance, as you will be building the tools that will shape your professional career. For the next nine weeks, your portfolio must be your full time job. Remember, in order to pass this course, your work must be of high quality, should be usable, and demonstrate thorough quality assurance.
1. Web Site
The posting of your portfolio site to a server is a requirement of the course. You are encouraged to register your own domain name and obtain server space to post your portfolio on-line. You may post the site to your AI server account. Please note that posting your portfolio on a free server that has web banners looks unprofessional and may affect you adversely in your job search. You should include one or more of the following for your portfolio: links for plug-in downloads, browser detection, plug-in detection.
Domain
Your domain name (other than the school server) must be yours and not of your company. It is important to choose a domain name that is simple and easily remembered. You may use a creative concept for this domain name that should be reflected in your portfolio shell and throughout all of the portfolio material. However, your name must appear on the site in some form so that your identity is established.
2. Contact Form
The contact form in your portfolio must apply validation.
3. Disclaimer
Please be sure to include the following disclaimer on all projects:
This interactive project was created for educational purposes at The Art Institute of Atlanta and is in no way intended for commercial gain or as a source of public information.
4. Resume
The resume must be 8.5 x 11” format. The logo should be included on the resume. You may choose to use one or more colors to reflect the design of the portfolio shell concept. Have your resume proofread by as many people as possible. An error on your resume may mean that you do not get the job!
5. Business Cards
Consider having the cards printed professionally. Make sure that you inspect any cards that have been printed and cut by a printing service because sometimes the cards will have errors. The instructor will demonstrate how to cut out business cards that you have produced and printed out yourself.
6. Paper Documentation
You should have a documentation book (printed documentation) with a site map and a design concept note for each project. These must be presented at the Portfolio Defense. Please make sure that the documentation has been proofread and labeled. Use appropriate branding on the documents. Documents with more than two pages must display page numbers.
7. Electronic Documentation
Electronic documents of at least a concept note and site map for each web site project must be included in the on-line portfolio. Be creative but above all, make sure you clearly communicate the structure of your site. The use of Visio or Illustrator is the best solution to create your site maps. Electronic documentation must be available for download from your portfolio site and delivered in PDF format (you may offer other formats as well). Be sure to include the file size and type of the document and a link for visitors to get the Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader. Read Adobe’s branding specifications for details on how you should present that link.
8. Packaging
The resume, business card and visual samples must be physically incorporated together so that they can be easily handed out to visitors to the portfolio show. You are encouraged to be professional as well as creative so that your resume and business card leave an impact on the person who receives them. It is recommended that you produce 15 to 20 packages to hand out to visitors at the portfolio show. A minimum of three package sets need to be produced: One package set is to be submitted to the department and two for your backup. Two CD-ROMs should be burned with your portfolio files on them for the Interactive Media Design Department archive.
9. Identity/Logo Presentation Display Board for Portfolio Show
Your logo and URL must be printed in color and mounted on a piece of foam core for display at the Portfolio Show. This print must be of high quality. Dimensions: 18” x 24” or larger
10. High Quality Printouts
Print out 3 of your best pieces to display at Portfolio Show. These may be screen shots of web site pages or other projects. Each piece must be mounted on foam core and be of high quality. Dimensions: 8.5" x 11”
11. Meeting with an Advisor
You must review your progress with an advisor at least four times (meetings should be spread throughout the quarter) and document each meeting in writing (a sheet is provided in this course outline). You should discuss any aspect of your portfolio, shell, and quality assurance with this advisor.
12. Quality Assurance
Before presenting your web site for final defense, you should have completed a thorough Quality Assurance to ensure that your portfolio and all of the web sites and projects contained in it are free of all errors (spelling, technical, etc.). This is an important step in the portfolio process. You must show documentation proof of the quality assurance, suggests and comments discussed with your advisor. If any of the meetings with the advisor are through email, then these must be printed.
13. Working in Class – Presenting Progress in Class
You must utilize the full 4-hour class time. You must present your progress on the portfolio each week. Bring something to work on in class. This will help you to finish a task. There are certain milestones within the portfolio class that must be met in order to successfully complete the portfolio by the deadline.
14. Midterm Review
During the mid-term review, the instructor will discuss your progress in the course. If the instructor feels that you are falling behind at this crucial time in the quarter, he/she may advise you to withdraw from the course.
15. Dry Run for the Portfolio Defense
The portfolio must be up and running (web sites posted to server, CD-ROM and DVD fully integrated and tested) and quality assured. The URL for the on-line portfolio must be available for the dry run of the Portfolio Defense. You should bring a sample of your documentation, business card, resume and packaging for this class. Be prepared to answer questions about the industry, your areas of expertise, and other industry related topics. Your attendance to this class is crucial so that you can identify and address any quality assurance and technical problems that may have been missed.
16. Faculty Review
The portfolio must be up and running (web sites posted to server, CD-ROM and DVD fully integrated and tested) quality assured and submitted to the faculty committee for the Faculty Review.
The URL for the on-line portfolio must be available for review. Samples of your documentation, business card, resume and packaging must also be submitted at this time. The faculty committee will review the work submitted and make a recommendation for your participation in the Portfolio Defense.
The following requirements must be submitted for the Faculty Review.
Resume
Business card
Packaging
Statement of career goal
Print out of one job posting relevant to your career goal
Proof of Quality Assurance documentation and Advisor meetings (should be signed and dated)
Project 1. Website (at least four pages)
Site map (printed and on-line)
Design concept note (print and on-line)
Functioning website (on-line)
Project 2. Website (at least four pages)
Site map (printed and on-line)
Design concept note (printed and on-line)
Functioning website (on-line)
Project 3. Website (at least four pages)
Site map (printed and on-line)
Design concept note (printed and on-line)
Functioning website (on-line)
Project 4. Illustrations, animation clips, comps, code library, etc. (printed and on-line)
Backup of all the web projects and printed documents on a CD-ROM
NOTE: All Printed documentation should be bound in a binder with your identity, page numbers and be clean and professional.
17. Portfolio Defense
This is a formal interview session with an examination committee. You will be asked to respond to general questions about the interactive media industry (hardware & software tools, technologies, design strategies, definitions, roles, well-known professionals, trends, organizations, and so on). Your passing or failing of the Portfolio course will depend on how well you present yourself, if you have met all the requirements stated below (see chart below), and how well you are able to respond to questions on the industry. Failure to attend or tardiness to the Defense will result in failure of the Portfolio course. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
18. Portfolio Set Up
You must have your table with: resume, business cards, logo display, color printouts, and computer set-up before Portfolio Show.
19. Portfolio Show
Participation in the Portfolio Show is a requirement for graduation.
PORTFOLIO OUTPUT
This course follows an aggressive schedule that requires exceptional diligence and perseverance from each student. The output of the course is of utmost importance, as you will be building the tools that will shape your professional career. For the next nine weeks, your portfolio must be your full time job. Remember, in order to pass this course, your work must be of high quality, should be usable, and demonstrate thorough quality assurance.1. Web Site
The posting of your portfolio site to a server is a requirement of the course. You are encouraged to register your own domain name and obtain server space to post your portfolio on-line. You may post the site to your AI server account. Please note that posting your portfolio on a free server that has web banners looks unprofessional and may affect you adversely in your job search. You should include one or more of the following for your portfolio: links for plug-in downloads, browser detection, plug-in detection.Domain
Your domain name (other than the school server) must be yours and not of your company. It is important to choose a domain name that is simple and easily remembered. You may use a creative concept for this domain name that should be reflected in your portfolio shell and throughout all of the portfolio material. However, your name must appear on the site in some form so that your identity is established.
2. Contact Form
The contact form in your portfolio must apply validation.3. Disclaimer
Please be sure to include the following disclaimer on all projects:This interactive project was created for educational purposes at The Art Institute of Atlanta and is in no way intended for commercial gain or as a source of public information.
4. Resume
The resume must be 8.5 x 11” format. The logo should be included on the resume. You may choose to use one or more colors to reflect the design of the portfolio shell concept. Have your resume proofread by as many people as possible. An error on your resume may mean that you do not get the job!5. Business Cards
Consider having the cards printed professionally. Make sure that you inspect any cards that have been printed and cut by a printing service because sometimes the cards will have errors. The instructor will demonstrate how to cut out business cards that you have produced and printed out yourself.6. Paper Documentation
You should have a documentation book (printed documentation) with a site map and a design concept note for each project. These must be presented at the Portfolio Defense. Please make sure that the documentation has been proofread and labeled. Use appropriate branding on the documents. Documents with more than two pages must display page numbers.7. Electronic Documentation
Electronic documents of at least a concept note and site map for each web site project must be included in the on-line portfolio. Be creative but above all, make sure you clearly communicate the structure of your site. The use of Visio or Illustrator is the best solution to create your site maps. Electronic documentation must be available for download from your portfolio site and delivered in PDF format (you may offer other formats as well). Be sure to include the file size and type of the document and a link for visitors to get the Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader. Read Adobe’s branding specifications for details on how you should present that link.8. Packaging
The resume, business card and visual samples must be physically incorporated together so that they can be easily handed out to visitors to the portfolio show. You are encouraged to be professional as well as creative so that your resume and business card leave an impact on the person who receives them. It is recommended that you produce 15 to 20 packages to hand out to visitors at the portfolio show. A minimum of three package sets need to be produced: One package set is to be submitted to the department and two for your backup. Two CD-ROMs should be burned with your portfolio files on them for the Interactive Media Design Department archive.9. Identity/Logo Presentation Display Board for Portfolio Show
Your logo and URL must be printed in color and mounted on a piece of foam core for display at the Portfolio Show. This print must be of high quality. Dimensions: 18” x 24” or larger10. High Quality Printouts
Print out 3 of your best pieces to display at Portfolio Show. These may be screen shots of web site pages or other projects. Each piece must be mounted on foam core and be of high quality. Dimensions: 8.5" x 11”11. Meeting with an Advisor
You must review your progress with an advisor at least four times (meetings should be spread throughout the quarter) and document each meeting in writing (a sheet is provided in this course outline). You should discuss any aspect of your portfolio, shell, and quality assurance with this advisor.12. Quality Assurance
Before presenting your web site for final defense, you should have completed a thorough Quality Assurance to ensure that your portfolio and all of the web sites and projects contained in it are free of all errors (spelling, technical, etc.). This is an important step in the portfolio process. You must show documentation proof of the quality assurance, suggests and comments discussed with your advisor. If any of the meetings with the advisor are through email, then these must be printed.13. Working in Class – Presenting Progress in Class
You must utilize the full 4-hour class time. You must present your progress on the portfolio each week. Bring something to work on in class. This will help you to finish a task. There are certain milestones within the portfolio class that must be met in order to successfully complete the portfolio by the deadline.14. Midterm Review
During the mid-term review, the instructor will discuss your progress in the course. If the instructor feels that you are falling behind at this crucial time in the quarter, he/she may advise you to withdraw from the course.15. Dry Run for the Portfolio Defense
The portfolio must be up and running (web sites posted to server, CD-ROM and DVD fully integrated and tested) and quality assured. The URL for the on-line portfolio must be available for the dry run of the Portfolio Defense. You should bring a sample of your documentation, business card, resume and packaging for this class. Be prepared to answer questions about the industry, your areas of expertise, and other industry related topics. Your attendance to this class is crucial so that you can identify and address any quality assurance and technical problems that may have been missed.16. Faculty Review
The portfolio must be up and running (web sites posted to server, CD-ROM and DVD fully integrated and tested) quality assured and submitted to the faculty committee for the Faculty Review.The URL for the on-line portfolio must be available for review. Samples of your documentation, business card, resume and packaging must also be submitted at this time. The faculty committee will review the work submitted and make a recommendation for your participation in the Portfolio Defense.
The following requirements must be submitted for the Faculty Review.
Site map (printed and on-line)
Design concept note (print and on-line)
Functioning website (on-line)
Site map (printed and on-line)
Design concept note (printed and on-line)
Functioning website (on-line)
Site map (printed and on-line)
Design concept note (printed and on-line)
Functioning website (on-line)
17. Portfolio Defense
This is a formal interview session with an examination committee. You will be asked to respond to general questions about the interactive media industry (hardware & software tools, technologies, design strategies, definitions, roles, well-known professionals, trends, organizations, and so on). Your passing or failing of the Portfolio course will depend on how well you present yourself, if you have met all the requirements stated below (see chart below), and how well you are able to respond to questions on the industry. Failure to attend or tardiness to the Defense will result in failure of the Portfolio course.There are no exceptions to this requirement.
18. Portfolio Set Up
You must have your table with: resume, business cards, logo display, color printouts, and computer set-up before Portfolio Show.19. Portfolio Show
Participation in the Portfolio Show is a requirement for graduation..