Build a Standout Portfolio: Art, Design & Creative Careers

A great portfolio doesn’t just showcase your work—it tells a story, builds confidence, and makes you stand out. This class is designed to help students refine their creative vision, get fresh inspiration, and develop portfolio pieces that reflect their personal strengths and goals.

Students will receive 1:1 guidance early in the week to explore new directions and gain confidence in their work. Throughout the course, they’ll experiment with new creative techniques, refine existing pieces, and learn professional photography, editing, and presentation skills to make their portfolio shine.

By the end of the week, students will have a professional portfolio showcasing fresh, dynamic work that highlights their unique style and strengths. They will also gain the confidence to present and talk about their work with clarity and purpose.

Daily Breakdown: Confidence, Creativity & Career Readiness

Day 1: Finding Your Creative Direction

Morning:

• 1:1 Instructor Sessions – Each student will:

  • Review past work, discuss interests, and set portfolio goals.

  • Go through sketchbooks, inspirations, and unfinished ideas to find fresh creative directions.

  • Get personalized feedback on strengths and areas for growth.

Afternoon:

• Photography for Artists

  • Learn how to capture work professionally, whether it's paintings, drawings, 3D pieces, or digital art.

  • Hands-on practice with lighting, framing, and photographing portfolio pieces.

Day 2: Confidence & Creative Exploration

Morning:

• 1:1 Instructor Check-Ins

  • Review progress from Day 1 feedback.

  • Brainstorm fresh ideas and techniques to elevate portfolio pieces.

  • Build confidence in how to talk about your work and present it effectively.

Afternoon:

• Photoshop Editing Session

  • Clean up portfolio images with cropping, color correction, and digital optimization.

  • Learn how to prepare files for college applications, job submissions, and online portfolios.

Day 3: Creating Something New

Morning:

• Exploring New Directions

  • Students reflect on what excites them creatively and choose a new project to develop.

  • Options: Illustration, product design, concept art, mixed media, branding, or experimental techniques.

Afternoon:

• Studio Time: Building Fresh Portfolio Work

  • Students start their new portfolio piece, using feedback and inspiration from earlier in the week.

  • Instructor feedback and guidance available throughout.

Day 4: Refining & Elevating Your Work

Morning:

• Final Touches on New Portfolio Pieces

  • Time to push projects further, refine details, and ensure they stand out.

  • Instructor mini-critiques to help students polish their work.

Afternoon:

• Layout & Presentation Techniques

  • Learn how to organize a portfolio professionally for different opportunities.

  • Experiment with Canva, InDesign, or other tools to create clean, eye-catching layouts.

Day 5: Portfolio Power-Up & Final Showcase

Morning:

• Confidence & Personal Branding

  • How to talk about your work in interviews, applications, and presentations.

  • Writing a strong artist statement to tell your creative story.

Afternoon:

• Final Portfolio Presentations

  • Students share their work, get feedback, and celebrate their progress.

  • Export & Save: Best practices for saving files in print, web, and application-ready formats.

What You’ll Leave With:

✔ A refined, professional portfolio
✔ New, fresh work if needed that reflects your unique style
✔ Confidence in presenting and talking about your work
✔ Stronger technical skills in photography, editing, and layout
✔ A clear vision of your creative path moving forward