Our recent Student Portfolio Day was well-attended by students from all over Kansas and Missouri. However, the distinction for furthest distance traveled would likely go to the group of five students from John Brown University, a small school in the scenic town of Siloam Springs, Arkansas. I got the chance to interview three of these students. Below is the full interview, along with some fresh portfolio pieces these students brought to the event.

1.) First off, what made you decide to come all the way from Arkansas to the KC Portfolio Day?

Justin Eddy: I had heard good things about AIGA events and portfolio reviews before, and I definitely felt it would be worth going since I had no experience whatsoever when it came to portfolio reviews otherwise. So basically it was just the prospect of a fun, eye-opening and very informal event that would (hopefully) better prepare me as an artist in the long run.

Hannah Hudson: I wanted to have practice presenting my portfolio and I wanted an outsider's critique on my work and this was the best way to get it.

Matt Smith: I knew that by attending the portfolio show I would be able to get a feel for what professionals are looking to see in new creatives. Plus simply getting away from the norm is always refreshing and inspiring to me.

2.) How did you feel about the critiques you received on your portfolio?

JE: They were all insightful, definitely. Encouraging is a relative term when it comes to getting your artwork critiqued, but all in all the reviewers were certainly helpful (whether or not they had all good things to say would be another story.) Also it was nice to hear from real professionals -- not that our professors aren't helpful, but it was such a fresh and relevant perspective, each review was, in that regard, a good experience.

HH: They were very helpful for the most part. It was refreshing to get honest compliments as well as honest critique. It was good to get critique on small little details that they noticed that everyone else had missed. Now I have a lot of changes to make, but I'll take everything that they said with a grain of salt because graphic design is so subjective.

MS: I would say that overall the critiques I received were very helpful. I'm actually leaning more towards professional photography than I am towards design so all of my reviewers were very interested in my work because it was so different from everyone else they had seen. It definitely helped me realize that everything people say needs to be taken with a grain of salt because everyone's sense of design is different.

Hannah Hudson

3.) What are two or three of the most useful things you learned, either during your portfolio review or in the breakout sessions?

HH: I need to go more organic with my design, trust my instincts with regard to color choices and typography is my weakest area.

JE: First, it's both what you can do AND who you know--but it's up to you to get in the "know" with those people. So get connected. Period. Second, people that are looking to hire you are interested in how you think, not just what you can do. Let the artwork speak for itself (it's sitting right there in front of them, isn't it?) Explain your concepts, how you arrived at the solution, how you think. That is what they want to know. Third, there is not some mysterious, end-all, be-all magic formula floating somewhere out there for you to make your portfolio the best ever in the world. It is all very subjective, therefore, know your subjects. Know who you're interviewing with, know who will be looking at your stuff. And when in doubt, just be comfortable and confident and real with yourself, and the rest will take care of itself.

MS: One of the best things that I got out of the breakout sessions was how to get noticed by potential employers. We're creatives. We need be more creative than all the other creatives. This means to be noticed we need to think the furthest out of the box, come up with the most genius and clever ideas to fix problems, no matter what the problem is. The other big thing I learned is that to keep climbing the design/money ladder is to keep switching jobs every couple years.

Matt Smith

Justin Eddy

4.) Are you about to graduate soon? If so, how do you feel about entering the job market in a recovering economy?

JE: Yes. Kind of like you do when you're waiting in line for a roller coaster that you've never been on before -- you've been on roller coasters before, but this one is like, the biggest one you've ever heard of. And you've been waiting in line for 22 years. And you're super excited because roller coasters have the potential to be lots of fun, but there's also the potential you could vomit all over yourself, or lose your wallet or...well, you get the picture. Basically I am in that state of anticipation mixed with hope and despair.

HH: I feel a bit apprehensive, but also excited to see the possibilities that are out there. Also, a bit relieved because there is less pressure to find a (creative) job.

MS: I graduate this May. Although the economy is pretty terrible, I'm confident enough in my talents that I know I'll be more than fine. I'm ecstatic for the new adventures that await me.

Hannah Hudson

Matt Smith

5.) Did you feel like this event helped prepare you for presenting your portfolio and getting a design job? If so, how?

JE: Yes, I was talking with a few of the other JBUers who went and we agreed that before this weekend, we felt kind of clueless about what to expect or what we were really getting ourselves into. You can have all the classes and preparation in the world, but you won't know what it's really like until you try it for real. This trip allowed me to try it for real, without the pressure of losing a potential job or embarrassing myself big time (although I think I came close a few times).

HH: Yes, now I am much more confident in my presentation skills. As for a job, I got a few pointers in how to search better.

MS: I think that this event will definitely help me in the long run especially in the interview process.

Justin Eddy

Hannah Hudson

6.) Do you have any advice for students who are either considering or just beginning a graphic design education?

HH: Volunteer for as many extracurricular projects that involve design as you can manage. you'll learn things that you wouldn't in the classroom. save all your work, even if you don't think you'll use it later, get an external hard drive and back everything up. Do as many internships as you can.

JE: Make sure you give it your all --the people with the best portfolios and the best jobs are usually the people who put the most thought and effort into their work. You don't have to be the best designer in the world to still impress someone. And in the end that's really what it's all about when it comes to portfolios, is making a good lasting impression.

MS: Sketch and design as much as possible. Also, enjoy and take inspiration from other forms of art such as paper-making, poetry, and kite flying.

Matt Smith

Justin Eddy

7.) Any other parting thoughts you would like to share?

JE: Always check the prices at a restaurant BEFORE you commit to having them set you up a table for eight. Otherwise things could get awkward.

HH: you'll need lots of money as a senior for making your portfolio, so save up.

MS: Don't be a robot or a zombie.

Thanks again to all the students and creative professionals who helped to make this event a big success!

Be sure and take a look at our flickr page to see photos from the Student Portfolio Day.

>Stephen Carlson, Social Networking Chair

Posted by Kansas in Interview Series, News | March 10, 2010

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Last Saturday, nearly 70 eager design students spent their Saturday morning at Kansas City Art Institute's Epperson Auditorium for Kansas City AIGA's annual Student Portfolio Day. After registration and some hot coffee, half the students set up their portfolios at tables in the auditorium, and the other half went down the street to KCAI's Design building for a series of Roundtable discussions.

Each of the students participating received professional portfolio critiques from up to five fine Kansas City-area creative professionals. In the Roundtable discussions, the students split up into smaller groups, where they received practical advice from experts in such areas as professional networking and looking for a job. After a delicious pizza lunch, the two groups switched locations to finish out the day.

Overall, the event was a BIG success! Thanks to KCAI for hosting the event, as well as to all 62 professionals who came out on a Saturday to invest their design wisdom into the future of our creative community.

For more photos from this event, check out our flickr or facebook page.

> Stephen Carlson, Social Networking Chair

Posted by Kansas in Event Recap, Local Talent, News | March 10, 2010

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On Saturday January 30th, AIGA Kansas City celebrated its twentieth anniversary at KC Twenty: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. This celebration of KC design was set in "the venue", a sophisticated urban space in the freshly renovated offices of Take 2. Upon entering, the walls were lined with an exhibition of 20 one-of-a-kind posters by renowned KC creatives, all to be auctioned off to the highest bidders. By the end of the night, these posters raised over $3,000 toward establishing our Design Scholarship Fund! At the top of an illuminated grand staircase, the space opened up to reveal the half-circle bar, open and stocked with plenty of wine and beer. On the wall scrolled a larger-than-life interactive timeline of Kansas City design, where guests waved their hands wildly to engage the motion sensitive experience. Another upstairs room was dominated by a delectable, high-piled buffet by Delish Catering. (I personally enjoyed the artichoke dip.)

The evening also included a stirring short film of Kansas City design history, featuring the work of John Muller, the founding president of the AIGA KC Chapter. We then honored Jon Muller by naming him this year's AIGA KC Fellow, an award that recognizes designers who have made a significant contribution to raising the standards of design excellence in their community.

All in all, KC Twenty was a night to remember. With a turnout of 150+ members and non-members that encompassed both the seasoned veterans who built this design community and the young talent that will sustain it; as well as stylish ambiance, great music and delicious food-there were plenty of opportunities to raise a glass and celebrate Kansas City for the midwestern mecca of design that it has grown to be.

Be sure and check out our flickr page to see the complete collection of photos from KC Twenty.

To see more photos from AIGA KC Twenty, check out our flickr page.

>Stephen Carlson, Social Networking Chair

Posted by Kansas in Event Recap, News | February 17, 2010

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On Tuesday, February 2nd, Sol Sender of VSA Partners in Chicago came to the Kansas City Public Library's Truman Forum to discuss Barack Obama's 2008 campaign identity to an enthusiastic crowd.

Sol gave an engaging presentation on the initial concept, process, and development of the Obama logo and branding. He showed several logos and concepts from the early stages of the design process, which eventually developed into the ubiquitous "sunrise O" logo seen throughout the 2008 Presidential campaign. He also showed several examples of how his team eventually stepped back and allowed the public to make the logo their own. Sol ended the lecture by discussing how graphic design and social media will influence the strategy and branding of political campaigns in future elections.

A special thanks to the Kansas City Public Library for hosting the event and for the following photos:

AIGA KC President Zack Shubkagel introduces Sol Sender

Sol Sender begins his lecture on the Obama identity

A packed-out crowd came out for Branding Obama

Sol discusses the development of the "Obama Sunrise" logo

Sol Sender and Henry Fortunato, KCPL Director of Public Affairs

(left to right) Zack Shubkagel, president of AIGA KC; Dawn Kirkwood, executive director of the American Institute of Architects in Kansas City, Mo; Sol Sender, associate partner, VSA Associates; Kathy Kelley, secretary of AIGAKC; Kevin Klinkenberg, president of AIAKC. AIGAKC and AIAKC, along with Industrial Designers Society of America and American Planning Association, organized Kansas City Design Week and are members of the newly formed Kansas City Design Alliance.

> Stephen Carlson, Social Networking Chair

Posted by Kansas in Event Recap, News | February 11, 2010

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