Portfolio Design 485 SYLLABUS
Spring 2026
This course is your opportunity to design a personal, professional website using Adobe Portfolio or another content management system that you prefer. This may include WIX, Wordpress, Squarespace or another program. (Adobe Portfolio is free as apart of the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription). This includes development and publishing of graphics for the web and implementation of a personal web site. Emphasis will be placed primarily on designing and producing web pages and a site for yourself. The main emphasis will be to have a portfolio worthy site up and running by the time the semester ends. It will build upon existing design vocabulary and problem solving techniques. Special focus given to portfolio design, PDF's, resume design and getting work prepared for electronic publication. If you are a Graphic Design minor you may combine this course with your Major capstone (if there is one). The main goal of this course is to have you identify your career goals and objectives and to publish/present yourself on the web accordingly. Seize this opportunity.
The course will concentrate on the following items:
• Design a web portfolio that will represents your skills, creativity and career objectives. This course will involve much one on one interaction. We will discuss your web portfolio on an individual basis and put together hopefully a “complete package” that will best represent yourself on the web in line with your career objectives.
• Understanding how to prepare graphics and compose pages for the Internet using Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat and perhaps Adobe Portfolio.
• Writing and designing an effective resume that will communicate to your intended audience.
Objectives of this course will prepare you to:
• Gain a general understanding of how to use the Internet as a vehicle to raise your profile. This can include Instagram, X, TikTok and other avenues.
• Develop the ability to prepare graphics and compose web pages and a create a web site.
• Have a finished professional portfolio package that will allow you to secure the type of work you desire in the marketplace or enter on to graduate school.
• Understand how to research, identify and target assorted institutions in the marketplace regarding job opportunities.
• Put together a portfolio that will function as a complete self promotion package. This portfolio will include a resume, cover letter, contents within the portfolio and a digital portfolio that you can send to prospective employers/clients.
How well you do is extremely dependent on how motivated you are. A large part of this class will involve including developing a navigation system for your site as well as figuring out your best content. You could kind of coast along and do the bare minimum or you can seize this as an opportunity a focus on preparing high quality graphics with creative, bold imagery. Adobe Portfolio is used by artists, designers, illustrators and photographers.
Note:
• If you decide to incorporate techniques and software that are not covered in class you are responsible for making sure your site fully functions.
Web Links:
Adobe Portfolio tutorials
Terry White (my favorite)
Terry White (newer version)
Blake Rudis
Aaron Rutten
Jesse Showalter
Lindsey Marsh
Professional Designers that have good sites
https://emmylingscheit.com/
http://www.krishnapriyadesign.com/
https://www.nickchristy.com/
Behance (some strong professional portfolios)
SNC Student/
Professional Portfolios
Spring 2025
Lara Deschler
Madeline Martin
Ashely Ebben
William Miller
Claire Ostopowicz
Margaret Byrne
Kenzi Gummin
Grace Peterson
George Szczerba
Itzel Chavarria-Castaneda
Spring 2024
McKenna Burggraf
Milenia Lavia
Gabriel Thiel
Ally Zickert
Spring 2023
Brianne DeLain
Sydney Suchy
Gia Minneci
Spring 2022
Mari Beltran
Mikaela Benitez
Grace Liska-Verdu
Kori Halstead
Allyson Laidlaw
Spring 2021
Rachel Stover
Erica Ditzman
Marybeth Koss
Spring 2020
Annabelle Broeffle
Kyra Kronberg
Annicka Rabida
Noah Fidlin
Adobe Portfolio Examples/Themes
https://portfolio.adobe.com/
https://portfolio.adobe.com/examples
The SNC Academic Honor Code applies to all written and created work for this course.
Attendance Policy
(With Covid this policy has changed) Art Department attendance policy applies to this course and will be discussed in more detail during first class. This course will be synchronous and asynchronous. I will discuss further in class.
Academic Support
“In keeping with the St. Norbert College mission to help students develop their full potential, and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the College provides supportive services to students with disabilities. For inquiries and further details, please visit the Academic Support Services Office located on the 2nd floor of Todd Wehr Hall, Room 211.
www.snc.edu/academicsupport
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Policies/Procedures
•You are responsible for reading and understanding the course syllabus and the goals. If there are any questions, please ask.
• When I am giving demonstrations, please pay attention and do not view your computer. Instant messaging, surfing the web etc. are absolutely unacceptable during demos.
• Surfing the web is acceptable as long as it is for information relative to project at hand.
• Whenever possible, please verbally ask questions/comments etc. as opposed to email. We have become to dependent on email and I prefer to communicate face to face.
Grading
Grading will be based on several criteria in order of importance:
• Meeting the target deadlines throughout the semester
• Quality of Website
• Quality of presentation of work
• Functionality of Website
• Quality of the images (technically and aesthetically)
• Technical Proficiency
• Ability to Problem Solve
• Attendance
• Completion of assignments according to project deadlines
• Participation during critiques
All of the above are extremely important. During the semester if you have any questions, issues regarding your grades, please ask. I am always willing to discuss your grades and how they might be improved. If you would like to improve your grade by going above and beyond the required coursework, contact me and we can discuss this.
Class Suggestion
Web URL Archive
It is suggested (optional) you keep a collection web addresses that interest you for one reason or another. This file should be of items that are of particular interest to each student in terms of how it communicates and what it looks like. This sample collection should serve as inspiration for your personal growth. Any time during the semester if you wish to review your URL's, I would be glad to go over it with you.
Safety and the Bush Art Center
The Art Discipline is dedicated to maintaining a safe environment conducive to learning, creating, and working at St. Norbert College and the Bush Art Center. In collaboration with the Chemical Hygiene Officer and the Campus Safety Department, the Art Discipline insists that all students act in compliance with the particular safety measures associated with the various art classes, labs, and studios. Students will be instructed in the proper and safe use of (art) materials and tools and approved methods of the storage and disposal of chemical and solid waste materials. Safety manuals and first-aid kits are located in all studios, as are clearly marked containers, receptacles, and informational signs.
Furthermore, all students are asked to cooperate in observing the posted hours of operation of the BAC (no student will be given permission to work in the BAC during those times in which the building is closed for daily, weekend, and school holiday hours). Certain studios maintain particular hours of operation (see Art Faculty/class syllabus for particular information). Failure to comply with measures intended to assist and secure the safety and well-being of the students will be forwarded to the appropriate departments for immediate action.
All BAC student workers MUST complete safety training under the supervision of the SNC Chemical Hygiene Officer prior to working in the building.
Office Hours
Mon/Wed Noon-1:00pm
Or by appointment
Class Schedule
Lecture: Room Bush Art Center 220
Tuesday & Thursday Noon-1:30pm
Tests/Quizzes
Occasional quizzes may be given throughout the semester; this is contingent upon how well you perform as students. The subject matter of the quizzes will be readings assigned as well as items on reserve at the library. You will be given information on quiz content at least one week in advance
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