Because of the “snow day” on Thursday, one member of the Portfolio Review Team did not have the opportunity to view your portfolios. He will be coming on Tuesday morning, December 15th to review them. Your portfolios will be available to “pick up” Tuesday afternoon – they will be stored in my office. If this poses a problem for anyone please contact me via e-mail at: lrzoska@kvcc.edu

Your portfolios are on display tables in room 120 for review. My plan is to give them back to you on Monday the 14th with the reviewers comments. You will also get you Personal Identity pieces back on Monday. Regarding the Elevator Pitch rehearsal – I saw huge improvement, I’m confident that you all will do well!

INFORMATION FOR THE FINAL PRESENTATION

Order of Presentations:

1. Wesley Uhl

2. John Babbitt

3. Eva Oldman

4. John Furrow

5. Aidan Boyle

6. Jonas Jagielski

7. Cynthia Cooper

Procedure:

Preperation -

• Dress business casual (neat, clean, no wrinkles, clean/shinny shoes)

• Arrive between 8:15 and 8:30

• Load your presentation image on instructor’s station

• Have your business card, leave behind, resume, and problem solving handout organized for handout.

- make sure there are no typos

• Wait outside the door of 020 to be invited in to present.

Presentation -

• Walk in the room, shake hands with each panel member, smile and say your name, and give them your packet of handouts.

• Walk to the instructor’s station and open your file.

• Walk over to stand near the screen, introduce yourself and thank the panel for attending.

• Proceed with your Elevator Pitch

- remember to keep eye contact

- remember to refer to your resume and problem solving handout

- remember to focus on how your skills, experience and talents specifically relate to their company’s needs

• When you have completed your pitch ask for questions

• When the session is over thank everyone again for their time and shake their hands again.

• Quietly leave the room

NOTE: Class will resume after the presentations have been completed and the panel has left, plan on remaining for the entire class period.

PORTFOLIO AND ELEVATOR PITCH PANELS

Portfolio Review Panel - The three industry professionals that have been asked to review your portfolios are: and sit on the Elevator Pitch panel are:

Peter Seuss-Brakeman: Seuss-Brakeman Design, Owner (Graphic Design/Illustration)

Jeff Matson: Creative Group, Owner (Graphic Design/Web Design)

Randy Walker: Randy Walker Art, Owner (Graphic Design/Illustration/Fine Art)

Elevator Pitch Review Panel - The industry professionals that have been asked to  sit on the Elevator Pitch panel are:

Linda Depta: LFK Marketing, Senior Account Manager

Christine Dahl: Information to Come

Sherry Ransford: Information to Come

Randy Walker: Randy Walker Art, Owner (Graphic Design/Illustration/Fine Art)

Elevator Pitch

It was nice to see your progress on your Elevator Pitches yesterday. I believe it helped having Diane Finch there – she had some very good questions for you and good comments. Her advice for all of you can be summed in these two comments:

1. You’re talking about yourself, your artwork, your future plans and desires. You should be able to talk about this with confidence and ownership. Take ownership of the presentation.

2. In your presentation talk more about how your skills and talents meet the specifications and responsibilities listed in the job description and what you can contribute to the company. Be specific.

Personal Identity Pieces

Some comments regarding your Personal Identity Pieces:

1. Resume:

• Design should include your logo.

• Be more specific regarding your employment goal and directly relate your goal to the company to which you’re interviewing.

• Make sure your layout is consistent and that everything is spelled correctly. Yesterday, I noticed some spelling errors – do a spell check then have someone read over the resume checking for grammar and spelling errors. I would be happy to review your resume again – you can e-mail it to me at: lrzoska@kvcc.edu

2. Business Card:

• Design should include your logo

• Check Spelling. Typography should be consistent with resume.

• If you are hand trimming them – use good craftsmanship.

3. Cover Letter

• Letterhead design should include your logo and be consistent with your business card and resume.

• Check Spelling

4. Leave Behind

• Design should include your logo.

• This should have all of your contact information on it, and be well designed.

• If you are hand trimming them – use good craftsmanship.

Problem Solving Handout

Good start on this – many need revisions in order to fully communicate your Problem Solving process. When revising your handout follow the steps below:

1. Strategy: A paragraph that states the problem you are solving which describes the message/emotion to be conveyed. This should also list the Target Audience and any specifications related to the problem.

2. Concept: Your full “Design Analysis” listing all the design principles you will be using goes here. Along with a “Rational” explaining why the design principles you selected are the best choice to visually communicate the message/emotion. Samples of your research goes here, as well – this could be style samples, color palette samples, reference photograph, etc.

3. Design: Here you should show your compositional thumbnails and your roughs. For illustration students you should show any development drawing that you created. All thumbs and roughs should be of good craftsmanship.

4. Production/Execution: Here you show your final digital solution. There should be a paragraph that explains your production steps: software used, tools used, specific skills used. If possible – show different stages of production and revisions.

(refer to the Design Analysis handout for more specific information)

211lesson1designanaly-f_09

Videos

I’m sorry – something went wrong – my the battery was low – but there are no videos for you to review. I will fix this problem and take videos next week. By then you should be well on your way to a strong Elevator Pitch.

Due Next Week

Everything is due:

1. Completed 12 piece Portfolio in its Case – I will be taking these from you. They will be reviewed by area professionals and returned to you the following week.

2. Completed and revised Personal Identity pieces – Logo, Business Card, Resume, Cover Letter on your Letterhead, Leave Behind.

3. Perfected Elevator Pitch.

4. Revised and fully developed Problem Solving Handout.

Please contact me if you are looking for direction or have any questions. Looking forward to seeing you in class next week! Until then – practice, practice, practice . . .

Good class today and good work pulling together your Elevator Pitch script and design analysis! The videos have been downloaded from my camera and are now in the GRD 219 class folder. They are in a folder named “Videos Take 1″.

Next week Diane Finch will be present to observe your EPs – be prepared to present her with your resume and problem-solving handout.

Looking forward to seeing you in class next week! Until then – practice, practice, practice . . .

The following are the companies/ job positions that were selected by you for your Elevator Pitch.  In order to properly prepare for your Elevator Pitch you should do background research on the company and become very familiar with the job description, its responsibilities and the skills needed.

Illustration: American Legacy Publishing

Graphic Design: Edge Technology Services, Inc.

Web Design: Ann Taylor

The Elevator Pitch Panel

The Elevator Pitch Panel will be provided the same information you have so they can research the companies and act as the company’s representatives.

Great class discussion and participation yesterday.

Company and Job Selection for Elevator Pitch/Mock Interview

Your Elevator Pitch is to be developed for a “Mock Interview” for an actual job opening. Research of the company and specifics of the job are necessary in order to create a purposeful Elevator Pitch. Three job positions from three companies will be represented by the Elevator Pitch Panel. One job position for each program of study represented in our class, Graphic Design, Illustration and Web Design.

The Graphic Design students must select between “Edge Ridge Technology Services” and “Lockheed Martin”.

The Illustration students have made the selection of “American Legacy Publishing”

The Web Design student (Aidan) must select between “Follett Corporation”, “Ann Taylor”, and “Nexon America Incorporated”

You can find information and/or links to the information regarding these companies posted on this class blog by clicking on the link below. All selections must be made by Wednesday evening, November 18th – if you don’t select one I will select one for you. Your selection should be email to me at: lrzoska@kvcc.edu

Company and Job Descritions

Elevator Pitch Preparation

I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing your first rehearsals for your elevator pitch next week! To prepare for next week you will need to do the following.

1) Create a list of keywords and key phrases for your pitch vocabulary

• Practice them

2) Select the one piece of artwork from your portfolio that you wish to showcase.

• Write up an accurate “Design Analysis” of the artwork.

• Write up a rational for each design principle used and be specific

• Practice presenting the above information until you can do it with friendly confidence.

3) Create a draft of your “Problem Solving” handout following this outline:

• Strategy

• Concept

• Design

• Production/Execution

(refer to the Design Analysis handout for more specific information)

211lesson1designanaly-f_09

3) Script your Elevator Pitch

• Record your pitch (Garage Band?) and up load it to you mp3 player or burn it on a CD and listen to it over, and over, and over again – until you know it by heart.

4) Find your Business Personae

• Practice talking, standing and walking in your Business Personae

- Be aware of your posture and the location and movements of your hands 

• Practice facial expressions in your Business Personae (with a mirror)

- Eye Contact, Smile, Listening expression, etc.

5) Practice your complete Elevator Pitch in your Business Personae

• Do this in front of a mirror or video camera

6) Critique yourself and practice, practice, practice . . .

For the next class session:

The following is due at the beginning of class:

• Scripted Elevator Pitch including Design Analysis and Rational of the artwork you are presenting.

• A digital version of the artwork you are presenting to show on the projection screen.

• A draft of your “Problem Solving” handout.

Bring printed versions of your portfolio artwork to class.

Looking forward to seeing you in class on Monday – class will start at 9 a.m. Please plan accordingly.

Below are links to two job postings for graphic designers. John Babbitt, John Furrow, Eva Oldman and Wes Uhl please read them through and let me know which is your vote for the Elevator Pitch. The one that gets the most votes will be the one that you will research and plan your elevator pitch around. Send your decision to me at: lrzoska@kvcc.edu

Remember the first rehearsals for your elevator pitches are next week – so a selection needs to be made in the next day or two so you have time to do your research and script your pitch and practice it. If I don’t receive votes by Wednesday evening I will select a company and job for you.

Graphic Design Job #1

Graphic Design Job #2

Click on the link below to open a PDF  handout from GRD 211 regarding the separate stages of creative problem solving. It is recommended that you create a handout for the Elevator Pitch panel showing your problem-solving skills using one of your portfolio pieces as an example.

211lesson1designanaly-f_09

The following should be included in your handout with an explanation and visual of each of the following stages:

1. Strategy

2. Concept

3. Design

4. Production/Execution

Company: FOLLETT CORPORATION

Location: McHenry, IL

Industry: Publishing

Job Type: Regular

Salary/ Benefits: Not Listed

Job Description: We help K-12 school libraries stay current, focused and empowered to bring maximum value to the learning experience. Follett is the nation’s largest supplier of books, eBooks and audiovisual materials to school libraries. Position for a Graphic / Web Designer with 3 years minimum print and web design experience (with a portfolio that includes both). Four year college degree in graphic design, a related field, or equivalent broad based training or work experience.

Responsibilities:

• Creating integrated marketing communications that meet communication objectives for a number of Follett business units.

• Develop creative concepts, designs and finished art files

• Files are to be developed for print and in HTML, Flash and other media

• May work on catalogs, brochures, direct marketing, e-mail marketing, web sites, digital video and other.

Skills:

• Fluency in print and online software products including:

- Microsoft Office suite of products

- Adobe Creative suite of products.

- Dreamweaver

- Flash

Contact: Not listed

Company: ANN TAYLOR

Location: New York, NY

Industry: Fashion Retail

Job Type: Full Time

Salary/ Benefits: Not Listed

Job Description: The Graphic Designer is responsible for maintaining and developing the look and feel of the LOFT web sites. This requires the ability to work under tight deadlines and see projects through from concept to completion.

Responsibilities:

• Daily interactions with the Senior Art Director and Art Director to ensure graphic content fits within the parameters of design and supports all projects.

• Translate print images to web-ready images, and maintaining same brand, campaign and season aesthetic.

• Heavy production on certain elements of the site to include: price points, image silhouetting, color changes, headers, small navigational graphics and seasonal corporate imagery.

• Designing web change outs to ensure that our corporate and brand identity is reflected consistently online.

• Produce static banners and animated banners (flash and.gif)

• Assist in the concept, design and complete projects, such as splash pages, and micro-sites/editorials.

• Effectively reprioritizes projects and work flow based on business needs.

• Understand and work around the functionalities provided by the new site platforms

• Maintain (and contributing to develop) the aesthetic of the web sites

• Concepting seasonal editorials so that the creative, marketing and merchant team’s visions are translated online.

• Effectively present initial creative concepts and be able to communicate functionality

• Design, spec and cutting of direct mail (e-mails) that announce new product and promotions for the brand maintaining the creative consistency of our website.

• Extensively   keep abreast of technical innovations, research competitors and develop innovative online interactive approaches.

Occasional collaboration with the LOFT print design teams on concepts.

Skills:

• 3+ years of e-commerce design experience

• Fashion retail and e-commerce experience is mandatory

• Highly proficient knowledge of Photoshop

• Knowledgeable about Flash

• Actionscript a plus

• Proficient on Macintosh platform, using OSX

• Skillfully handle multiple projects simultaneously

* Strong communication and time-management skills

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment with a variety of people and personalities

Contact: Not listed

Company: NEXON AMERICA INC.

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Industry: Game Developer/Publisher

Job Type: Full Time

Salary/ Benefits: Not Listed

Job Description: The Web Designer will design and maintain our existing sites according to pre-established specifications, maintaining quality control and a consistent overall look and feel. He/she must be familiar with user-interface and information architecture principles and how to design web sites with complex information or functionality. Master of image optimization techniques and tools through knowledge of web design constraints, including download times, browser differences, and web safe palettes. This person must have the ability to perform image editing and web optimization as well as create any necessary electronic files to provide to our marketing partners.

BA/BFA degree or advanced degree in Graphic Design or related field from an accredited program.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and design websites, and abide by the style guidelines and style guide documents.

• Design and implement creative designs and graphics using HTML and CSS.

• Optimize images for web user interface and create HTML/CSS that matches as original design layout.

• Understand how mockups translate to code.

• Produce a consistent visual image across web sites.

• Create dynamic and scalable interactive Flash applications.

• Contribute to enhancing skills/design ideas/quality control.

• Provide updated weekly status reports and comprehensive quarterly reports to the management with forecast and analysis of any technical issues, costs, needs, etc.

Skills:

• Minimum 3-5 years of related experience

• Highly proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, InDesign, and Dreamweaver.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Prior experience with major online or integrated web agency.

• Ability to create, edit, and release print-ready files for marketing collateral and advertising materials.

• Ability to work at a fast pace and within deadlines.

• Experience in the online/console gamin industry is a plus.

• Willingness to work additional hours and travel when needed.

Contact: Qualified candidates, please e-mail your (1) Resume (2) Cover Letter and (3) Salary history/requirements to:

now-hiring@nexon.net with Web Designer in the subject line

Company: HIGH 5 GAMES

Location: Mahwah, NJ 07430

Industry: Entertainment Venues and Theatres

Job Type: Full Time

Salary/ Benefits: Salary dependent of experience / Paid Vacation, 401LK plan plus 4% matching Optical, Medical, Dental, Life, and LTD Benefits

Job Description: Search for an extremely talented Digital Illustrator to finalize multiple games with a focus on photorealistic art with fantastical elements.

The Digital Illustrator will be responsible for working on simultaneous projects; completing own games and assisting other artists complete their games. In addition, the Digital Illustrator will participate in all stages of game design from brain storming to final delivery.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in project design

• Complete work within scheduled deadlines

• Manage multiple simultaneous game projects

• Work with the art director in shifting project priorities and deadlines

• Prepare files for delivery to clients in accordance with client specifications

Skills:

• Expert knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator is required

• Working knowledge of AfterEffects or Lightwave a plus, not required

Contact: Not listed

Company: AMERICAN LEGACY PUBLISHING

Location: Lindon, UT

Industry: Publishing

Job Type: Full Time

Salary/Benefits: Not Listed

Job Description: Illustrator wanted for Children’s Publication. Associates Degree or equivalent and Portfolio required.

Responsibilities:

• Manage multiple projects under deadline

Skills:

• Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator proficient

• Creates high quality and accurate artwork

Contact: Send cover letter, portfolio and resume to:

jeff@studiesweekly.com or FAX to: 866.531.5589

Company: YAMAHA CORPORATE ARTIST AFFAIRS, INC.

Location: Franklin, TN

Industry: Music

Job Type: Contract

Salary: TBD based on experience

Job Description: Illustrator needed to create album artwork and poster for up and coming band. “The design inspiration is 40”s/50’s pulp scifi/ horror magazines and comic books–schlocky retro-futurism.

Style samples found at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/103278/100-Classic-Pulp-Science-Fiction-Magazine-Covers

Responsibilities: Not listed

Skills: Not listed

Contact: Anamarie Knapp

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