2015 Portfolio Review Weekend

The Wait Is Over
AIGA Jacksonville invites you to attend the 26th Annual Student Portfolio Review. This year's action-packed two-day event begins Friday evening, April 17, with a keynote presentation by Justin Mezzell. Saturday, students get the chance to meet with local design professionals for feedback on their final portfolio or work-in-progress. Students not reviewing are still welcome to attend Friday for the lecture and Saturday to observe the review. Register for both events and receive a discount on admission.


An Evening with Justin Mezzell
AIGA's 26th Annual Portfolio Review weekend kicks off with Friday night’s keynote speaker event, which brings to town Justin MezzellJustin Mezzell is an illustrator and designer based in Orlando, Florida. A graduate of the University of Central Florida, he specializes in illustration, digital art, and UI/UX design. Justin's clients have included Google, Twitter, Facebook, AOL, Disney and Wired.


When:
Friday, April 17, 2015
6–7 p.m. Social Hour
7–9 p.m. Keynote Presentation


Where:
Jacksonville University 
Goodin Auditorium (Building 1 on Map)
http://www.ju.edu/aboutju/Documents/Campus_Map.pdf
*This event is free for reviewers and volunteers.

 

Student Portfolio Review


Portfolio Review
Professionals and educators from the Jacksonville area volunteer this Saturday to review your portfolio with you in a one-on-one setting. You'll have the opportunity to practice your interview skills, get constructive feedback on your work and gain insight into the industry. You can categorize your portfolio as print, digital or hybrid, and will be matched up with reviewers who specialize in each area.

Portfolio Competition
For an additional fee, you may elect to enter your portfolio into a judged competition, which takes place after the review. A panel of judges, including AIGA members representing all facets of the design community and the keynote speaker, will judge all the entries and narrow each category down to a winner and a runner-up (placings may be added or subtracted based on the number of entries). Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at the end of the day.

 

When
9:30–10 a.m. Registration
10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Student Portfolio Review
3:30–4:30 p.m. Portfolio Competition Judging

Where
Jacksonville University 
Kinne Center Banquet Room (Building 31 on Map)
http://www.ju.edu/aboutju/Documents/Campus_Map.pdf
2800 University Boulevard North
 

Coffee, snacks and lunch are provided for all participants.

Who Should Attend?
Recent and soon-to-be graduates are invited to participate in this year’s Student Portfolio Review. Undergraduate as well as graduate students are encouraged to attend.

If your portfolio isn’t ready to be unveiled to the public just yet or you're still early in your education, you are still welcome to attend the portfolio review as an observer. Observers are allowed to walk the review area and listen in on the conversations and view the portfolios.

Be Prepared
Your goal for the review is to present your work and get honest feedback. In order to make that happen, you need to be prepared. Finished portfolio presentations are best, whether it's a custom book, black matte boards in a leather portfolio or an interactive presentation—the choice is yours. If you do intend to show digital pieces, we recommend bringing a laptop or tablet and, to be safe, make sure your work is on your local hard drive, not just online. Those of you still in the throes of creating a one-of-a-kind portfolio are also welcome, as it’s never too early to get constructive feedback.

First Impressions
While this isn’t an interview, this is a chance to make connections and make a lasting impression. Be sure that lasting impression is based on a "Wow!"-worthy book and not a "Wow?!"-worthy wardrobe. In other words, dress business casual. Other suggestions include getting a good night's sleep, taking a shower, combing your hair and, of course, brushing your teeth. You want your book to leave an impression—not your breath.

Relax, Have Fun
The review doesn’t have to be stressful. You’re here to get constructive feedback on your work—it’s not personal. It’s all about improving your book and making you more marketable.

When & Where
Fri, Apr 17, 2015 - Sat, Apr 18, 2015 6:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Jacksonville University
2800 University Boulevard North
Jacksonville, FL 32211