Our first ever virtual Emerging Designer Portfolio Day brings together recruiters, professional designers, and art directors to review the portfolios of graduating seniors, post-grad students who have not landed their first full-time role, and designers with one to two years of experience who are looking for new opportunities. This is an emerging designer’s opportunity to receive feedback on visual storytelling and presentation skills from companies that are hiring in the area. Registration will close on Thursday April 16th at 8am.
AIGA members register for FREE.
Use the AIGA Cincinnati website, select the "member" ticket option, log in, and then sign up for the event in order to get the member price.
Non-members register for $15.
AIGA membership begins at just $50 annually, and will include free or discounted participation to many upcoming events, as well as tons of national benefits. Check it out at aiga.org/belong.
Portfolio Reviewers register for FREE here.
The set up and what to bring:
This year’s Portfolio Day will be held virtually through Zoom! We are requesting that all attendees download the Zoom desktop application prior to the event date to ensure the best quality experience. All emerging designers will be sharing their screens with reviewers in order to share their portfolios--so please be sure to have your website or PDF portfolio set up and ready to share, mute all desktop notifications, and please make sure that your laptop is fully charged and/or connected to a power outlet.
The review format:
Portfolio reviews will be done in an interview-style format. Reviewers will be giving feedback on the following:
- Application of personal branding
- Presentation skills
- Visual storytelling
- Pacing of projects
- Proper usage of ideation methods and/or sketches
- Presentation of final finished pieces
As an emerging designer, these skills will be your ticket to not only getting your foot in the door, but actually getting the job offer. Many of our reviewers will be representing companies that are actively hiring, so please dress professionally as you would for an interview.
Scholarship Awards
Scholarships will be awarded to the top three student portfolios, judged by the AIGA Cincinnati Board members. After registration, please send a PDF portfolio of 10-12 pieces to emerge@aigacincinnati.org to be considered. The scholarship award is only available for graduating seniors, and entries are due by Friday, April 10th at 5:00pm EST.
Event Schedule
Emerging designers will participate in three mock interview sessions.
9:30-9:45am: Reviewer set up and breakout room assignments
9:45-10:05am: Emerging Designer set up and break out room assignments
10:05-10:40am: Review round 1
10:40-10:50am: Break
10:50am-11:25am: Review round 2
11:25-11:35am: Break
11:35-12:10pm: Review round 3
12:10-12:15pm: Thank you & closing
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About EMERGE
EMERGE is a series of experiences tailored to help emerging designers (those with 0-5 years of experience) hone their skills, discover their talents, and grow their careers. EMERGE is a nationally supported initiative originally established by AIGA Minnesota, in partnership with AIGA's Diversity & Inclusion Task Force. AIGA Cincinnati is excited to be participating in this initiative by hosting a series of events created specifically for emerging designers by emerging designers. The goal of EMERGE is to help you flourish as a designer—in the areas of employment, growth, leadership, entrepreneurship, and life skills.
