MA C103 Career Planning & Portfolio Development

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course prepares students to plan, create, and present traditional portfolios, interactive Web or CD-ROM portfolios, or video tape demo reels. Topics also include career-planning skills, such as creating résumés, interviewing, and developing client proposals. This course is beneficial for a broad range of majors which use portfolios for employment interviews, freelancing, or transfer to a four-year university program.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. set career goals, and research trends in the marketplace and identify jobs in related field.
2. create marketing documents such as a résumé, cover letter, thank you letters, list of references, and business cards.
3. explain how to prepare for and conduct oneself during an interview or client proposal meeting.
4. examine and categorize the significant components in a media design portfolio.
5. formulate and employ an artistic style that strengthens the dramatic effect of a portfolio presentation.
6. evaluate commercial portfolio examples and estimate whether it would lead to a successful interview.
7. develop and implement design goals that encompass all facets of the influence strategy for a portfolio.
8. develop a production plan for a portfolio.

DETAILED TOPICAL OUTLINE

1. Setting Goals (A)
   1. Creating a professional image
   2. Integrating personal and professional goals
   3. Stress management
   4. Time management
2. Researching the Marketplace (A)
   1. Marketplace forms
   2. Organizational functions
   3. Researching labor market information and trends
   4. Developing leads
3. Marketing Documents (B)
   1. Cover Letter
   2. Résumé
   3. Letterhead and business cards
   4. Thank you letters
   5. Letters of recommendation
4. Freelance Client Consultations (C)
   1. Research
   2. Client meetings
   3. Components of a client contract
5. Employment Interviews (C)
   1. Research
   2. Questions to ask
   3. Questions to expect
   4. Etiquette
   5. Illegal or inappropriate questions
   6. Employment application
6. Portfolio Concept and Planning (D, F, G, H)
   1. Portfolio Objectives
   2. CD-ROM Portfolios
   3. Web Portfolios
   4. Demo Reels
   5. Traditional Portfolios
7. Design and Prototype (D, E, F, G, H)
   1. Design Goals
   2. Information Design
   3. Prototype
   4. Review and Evaluation
8. Portfolio Production (D, E, F, G, H)
   1. Production Schedule
   2. Organizing Resources
   3. Text Production
   4. Graphic Production
   5. Time-Based Production
   6. Audio Production
   7. Programming Production
   8. Packaging
   9. Testing
9. Mastering and Distribution (D, E, F, G, H)
   1. Physical Media Preparation
   2. Choosing Supplies and Materials
   3. Distribution Options

METHODS OF PRESENTATION

Course instructional methods may include but are not limited to

1. Textbook
2. Lectures
3. Videos
4. Online discussions

ASSIGNMENTS AND METHODS OF EVALUATION

Assessment of student performance may include but are not limited to

1. Quizzes (A, B, C, D)
   Example: Students complete a quiz that assesses knowledge of the different organizational functions in a business.
   
2. Critiques (D, F)
   Example: Students critique other artists’ portfolios and evaluate their effectiveness at conveying image, capabilities, and professionalism.
   
3. Online discussions (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H)
   Example: Students discuss techniques for job interviewing.
   
4. Final project (A, B, C, D, E, G, H)
   Example: Students develop a marketing and production strategy for creating a portfolio and set goals for producing works to fill the portfolio.

OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

1. Critiques
2. Project

REQUIRED TEXTS

Reading assignments are required and may include but are not limited to

1. Hungerland, Buff. (2003). Marketing Your Creative Portfolio. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. ISBN 0-13-097733-0

4.25.2006

  Courses Index