Professional Readiness
During the first full week of class, students are required to participate in an individual interview and submit:
- A current résumé (PDF)
- A portfolio (website preferred; PDF acceptable)
Students will also complete baseline skills demonstrations in:
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
These skills checks are used for project placement and team roles.
Grading Categories
1. Attendance & Time Tracking — 25%
This course operates like a professional design studio. Attendance and time accountability are mandatory.
- Students must submit a weekly time log documenting hours worked by project.
- Time logs must be submitted by the stated deadline each week.
- Failure to submit a weekly time log results in a 0% for that week, regardless of attendance or work completed.
- Time cannot be approved retroactively.
Each weekly time log accounts for approximately 2% of the final course grade.
2. Participation & Teamwork — 15%
Students are expected to actively contribute to studio work and team projects.
Evaluation is based on:
- Professional conduct
- Communication
- Reliability
- Initiative
- Contribution quality
Peer evaluations will be conducted during the semester and used to inform this grade.
3. Design Work & Deliverables — 35%
This category evaluates:
- Conceptual strength and problem-solving
- Craft and execution
- Responsiveness to feedback
- Completion of assigned deliverables
- Professional file preparation
Grades are based on milestone reviews and final project outcomes.
4. Presentation & Client Communication — 15%
Students are evaluated on:
- Client presentations
- In-class critiques
- Written and verbal rationale
- Professional communication standards
5. Skills Checks & Professional Conduct — 10%
Includes:
- Software skills demonstrations
- Adherence to studio expectations
- Professional behavior
This category may also reflect exceptional leadership or persistent professionalism concerns.
CategoryWeightAttendance & Time Tracking | 25%
Participation & Teamwork | 15%
Design Work & Deliverables | 35%
Presentation & Communication | 15%
Skills & Professional Conduct | 10%
Total | 100%