Design Portfolio is an intensive, one year course that guides digital design career focused students in skill, project and portfolio development as well as concept design techniques.  It is structured to encourage individual exploration of a variety of applications, artistic mediums, design styles, and the ever-changing technology trends.  Techniques and applications taught are used in numerous professional careers including:  engineering, architecture, industrial design, forensics, medical & scientific research, military simulations, graphic design, advertising, game design, and film production. This class will help guide students to become active independent learners and better prepare them for their future career. This course is ideal for artists, and students pursuing careers in architecture, computer science, engineering, industrial design, game design, and entertainment industries.  Note: Lab fee of $40 is required for art supplies and materials.

 Syllabus / Lab Fee     Due  8/27  "Who Are You?" Paragraph about you.   Due 8/27  "What Inspires You?" Inspiration Board   Due 8/27
 Create Google Site  Due 8/27
Turn in Portfolio Address  HERE  Due 8/31

Final Projects (Production)

Possible Projects Inspiration Board Due 9/11

FP#1: Final Project #1 Due 10/14
FP#2: Final Project #1 Due 10/14

FP#3: Final Project #1 Due
FP#4: Final Project #1 Due 

Learning to Learn - Indie Skill Development 


IDEA EXPLORATION (EXAMPLE)  State Initial Focus Tutorial Research 5-6 Sources  Direction Thoughts, Analysis, and Reflectio State Independent Skill Objective  

CREATION PROCESS (EXAMPLE) 

State Initial Focu Daily Process Documentation & Reflection                -  Visual Progression               -  Ongoing Reflection & Justifications
FINAL PROJECT & REFLECTION  Final Project Images  Final Reflection                -  Success                -  Improvements

Full Concept Development 


INITIAL IDEA EXPLORATION - Due 1/23[NOTES]    [EXAMPLE] Initial Design Project Inspiration Board  State Initial Focus 
IDEA & SKILL  EXPLORATION - Due 1/23 Tutorial Research 5-6 Sources  Direction Thoughts, Analysis, and Reflectio State Independent Skill Objective  
Focused Inspiration Board  Inspiration board  *Annotated  Thoughts, Analysis, & Reflection 
Design Objective Reflection & Resources


DESIGN DEVELOPMENT Thumbnail Sketching Due  [NOTES]    [EXAMPLE] Thumbnail Reflection/Annotate  
Design Research & Resources  [NOTES]    [EXAMPLE]
Development Sketches [NOTES]    [EXAMPLE] Design Development Sketch Reflection
Final Concept Design [NOTES]    [EXAMPLE]
CREATION PROCESS  [NOTES]    [EXAMPLE] Documentation & Reflection Due               - Daily Process      -  Visual Progression               -  Ongoing Reflection & Justifications
FINAL PROJECT & REFLECTION[NOTES]     [EXAMPLE] Final Project Images & Video           Low -Resolution Test Model          Animation Test?           Final Model Final Reflection                -  Success 

Cell Phone Use Policy

Students are assessed based on Three main areas, foundation skills, developing ideas, & independent project & skills development.  This is more of holistic approach which is student-centered and promotes a growth mindset.


GRADING:  There are three main areas that impact a students grade:


Grading is competency based 1-6; which is more holistic, student-centered, and promotes a growth mindset.  Students are able to practice mastery of competencies and skills without the penalty of receiving a poor grade and creates an opportunity for students to learn from their mistakes.  

Standards to Grade Conversion

6 = Industry Level Mastery 6/4 = A+ / 110 

5 = Advanced Mastery 5/4 = A+ / 105 

4 = Mastery 4/4 = A / 95

3 = Partial Mastery 3/4 = B / 85

2 = Developing 2/4 = C / 75

1 = Emerging 1/4 = D / 65 

“And remember, the world is possibility if only you'll discover it.” Ralph Ellison Developing Ideas or Ideation is the creative process of generating, developing, and communicating new ideas.Students will follow a design process of creating, developing and communicating abstract, concrete or visual ideas based on their interests  related to the course content.  
“Education is not the filling of a pot but the lighting of a fire.”W.B. YeatsMy goal is to foster an environment that promotes intrinsic skill and project exploration.  Ultimately giving students an opportunity, the tools, and an environment, to explore their passions and/or future careers.  Students will document either:
-- Learning new course related skills based on their interests. 
-- Their project production process.