Portfolio Requirements
In order to graduate from the CAT program with an AAS degree, ALL students MUST submit a portfolio for review by professionals in the industry. This Portfolio Review will occur at the end of the semester in which students take the Folio class. It is a required submission and MUST occur BEFORE students will be allowed to take the Practicum class.
Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Folio class after their level four class in their chosen option/track. If that is not possible, students may enroll in the Folio class during the same semester in which they enroll in level four of their respective areas of study. For example, if you are enrolled in Advertising Design IV, you can also enroll in the Folio class or if you take Photography IV then you can take Folio in the same semester. The Folio class will prepare you for the review process and will allow you to prepare any additional portfolio pieces you still may need for submission, on Portfolio Review Day, of your final portfolio for graduation. Keep in mind that level four in any area of study can be very intense and rigorous. That coupled with the rigors and intensity of preparing your final portfolio in the Folio class can be and has been overwhelming to students. While you can take both classes in the same semester it is not necessarily a wise thing to do.
At the end of the Folio class, you will submit your final portfolio for review. This is a big deal. Students will dress appropriately with business casual attire and will attend the Portfolio Review on the designated date. Students will get an opportunity to meet with and talk to professionals in the field. This is a good chance for students to network a bit and pass out their business cards to people who hire our students. The Folio class instructor will provide you with details during the Folio class.
ALL STUDENTS MUST PASS THE PORTFOLIO REVIEW IN ORDER TO REGISTER FOR THE PRACTICUM CLASS.
If a student wishes to complete two or more options (in Design, Photography, and/or Filmmaking) they MUST submit a separate portfolio for each area of study. Usually this will not occur in the same semester but it could. Students completing two or more options DO NOT have to complete more than one Practicum class. A student attempting to complete two or more options MUST receive a passing grade for each portfolio in order to receive the second/third credential on their transcript.
Students wishing to submit for the Review Board on Portfolio Day must adhere to the following guidelines.
1. You must complete and submit an Intent to Submit form with the Folio class instructor, before midterm of the semester in which you intend to submit.
2. With instruction and guidance from the Folio instructor, prepare your portfolio.
3. Two weeks prior to the Portfolio Review date, submit your portfolio and a Faculty Approval for Portfolio Review form to faculty members. Your portfolio must be reviewed for final adjustments or improvements by all full time program faculty members. Faculty members will review your portfolio and give you feedback on how you can improve your portfolio before the Portfolio Day Review. The faculty member will also sign and annotate your form. This process is not meant to redo your entire portfolio but, rather to make minor improvements overall.
4. All work submitted for the Portfolio Day Review must be submitted in a clean and neat professional portfolio case. The case must be black. It can be made of cardboard or leather so long as it is professional looking. Portfolios will not be accepted for the Review if turned in without a black portfolio case.
5. You will download and complete the "name" section of the Portfolio Review Evaluation form and include it with your portfolio submission. Fill it our as directed on the form with YOUR NAME, PR (for Portfolio Review), DATE OF REVIEW, YOUR AREA OF SUBMISSION (Photo, Design, Web, or Video)
6. If you fail to adhere to any of these guidelines you may not be allowed to submit for that semester.
7. Video Production Rating Sheets can found here.
FOLLOWING ARE THE FINAL PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE AAS DEGREE IN DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND FILMMAKING
Click on the tabs below to reveal a description of the course.
Your Final Design Portfolio MUST include 12-15 pieces from the following list:
Students without the minimum requirements and/or without signature approval of all three full time faculty members will NOT be allowed to submit under any circumstances
ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING
Logos, illustrations, and animations are not stand alone advertising messages. They are ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING. The goal of this program is to encourage students to produce exceptional, creative designs, images, and animations as components of advertising with the advertising message in mind.
Each logo, illustration or animation MUST include a sample showing how the element was actually used in the advertising message.
When creating images for advertising, the product and/or type of company should be evident or obvious in the final sample showing the advertising message.
Logo–Sports, Lettermark, Corporate
Digitally Enhanced Illustration
Animation or Special Effects
SALES PROMOTION
Printed promotional materials for products and services whose distribution comes from means other than traditional mass media.
Packaging–The container, cover or wrapping for a product.
Audio/Music CD
DVD (Movie) Video
Coffee
Wine Bottle
Any Product (in a box)
Software Package
Point of Purchase–Promotional advertising or display unit that presents the product or service at the specific sale location
COLLATERAL MATERIAL
Stationery Package (maximum 2) (also called Identity Package)
Flat printed stationery. May contain one or more pieces of letterhead, envelope and/or business cards
Brochure–Multiple page/panel piece (usually bound/folded) that advertises, presents and/or describes the advantages, capabilities, worth and/or reasons to buy a product or service.
Annual Report–Yearly communications piece, usually with financial data, intended primarily for stockholders or members as a statement or record of a company's or organization's annual performance or status
Poster–A single sheet, advertising or promotional piece intended for mounting and display for a product, service or event
DIRECT MARKETING
Anything that is mailed via USPS or delivered via special courier (private, FedEx, etc.) with the purpose of eliciting, provoking or effecting a consumer reaction (response card, phone number to call, order form, sale/event dates, etc.) Mere mailing of a piece does not necessarily make it direct marketing. The method of shipment (self-mailer indicia, envelope, etc.) MUST be evident and included on the piece.
Business-to-Business or Consumer, Single–Flat. Defined as any printed sheet or sheets, flat, folded or bound printed material.
Three Dimensional (3-D)/Mixed–Includes single or multiple pieces, and the container and its contents. Dimensional also includes “pop-ups” that might mail flat, but take on dimension in their final forms. Entries typically include some element/item (other than paper) as part of the marketing message (premium item, baseball, ink pen, etc.) which is included as PART of the message. The method of shipment, (box, envelope, etc.), MUST be evident.
OUT-OF-HOME
The outdoor display of advertising messages, notices or events, commonly associated with standardized wooden or metal structures, that are delivered to mass (outdoor) audiences on sidewalks, streets, roadways, etc.
Outdoor Board–Includes outdoor posters, outdoor boards, outdoor painted bulletins, outdoor vinyl posters or bulletins and site walls
NON-TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING
Also defined as alternative, buzz, grassroots, guerilla, viral or word-of mouth advertising. It is generally defined as an unconventional way of performing advertising and/or promotional activities. Examples of non-traditional advertising would be advertising on window clings, street stickers and stencils. It can also include wild postings, telephone poles, forehead or tattoo advertising (Not simply tattoo art, must be advertising a product or service).
CONSUMER OR TRADE PUBLICATION (MAGAZINE)
CONSUMER PUBLICATION–Advertising that appears in periodic publications whose circulation/distribution is made to the general public, and/or an unspecified industry target audience.
TRADE PUBLICATION–Advertising that is placed in periodic publications whose primary circulation/distribution is aimed at a specific trade or industry target audience (dealers, distributors, jobbers, manufacturers, etc.) within the various Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes.
Single Ad–Fractional Page. Any ad in a trade or consumer publication, regardless of (page) size/dimensions, that does not fill a full-page unit.
Full Page Ad–Any ad in a trade or consumer publication, regardless of (page) size/dimensions, that does fill a full-page unit.
Spread, Multiple Page or Insert–Ad unit(s) in a trade or consumer publication that exceed a full page, regardless of the (page) size/dimensions. Includes facing pages, two or more ads in succession, page ads with foldouts, inserts, etc.
Campaign–Two to four ads for the same client, with a common theme. May be placed in the same publication issue (excluding single entry spreads/multiple-page units), in separate issues of the same publication, or in issues of other trade or consumer publications.
NEWSPAPER
Advertising that is placed/run in publications whose primary purpose is to inform the public about current events or issues on a daily or weekly schedule basis.
Fractional Page Ad
Full Page Ad
Spread or Multiple Page
Insert
NP Ad or Insert Campaign (2 - 4 ads)
INTERACTIVE MEDIA
It is required that you submit a mounted, 8.5" x 11" color screenshot of the homepage, pop-up, banner, screensaver, etc. and a CD (Mac OS & PC compatible) of the website/entry. The screenshot is for reference and gallery presentation. The CD is to be used for presentation and viewing the website from a disk. Disks should not require any username or password for access. Submit on CD/DVD.
Flash Website–Flash-Based is defined as any website that uses the web software development tool known as “Flash” to design the ENTIRE site or the Flash elements control MORE THAN HALF the website's pages.
HTML (or other) Website–HTML based is defined as using any of these technologies — HTML, PHP, ASP, DMTML, XML, Cold Fusion, etc. — to create the website. Flash components may be included as part of the website and still be considered eligible as long as the Flash elements do not control MORE THAN HALF the website's pages.
Interactive CD/DVD–May include interactive kiosks CD/DVDs
Online Advertising (Pop-Up/Banner/Email/Other) Email/E-cards. Email includes email design and one landing page which continue the advertisement (click-through). This does not include links that result in reaching a full website. E-cards include all online greeting cards.
Online Games–Games created to advertise a product or service. The game may be located on a main site.
Online Newsletter–Any newsletter created to be viewed online.
Online Annual Report–Any Annual Report created to be viewed onlin
EDITORIAL DESIGN
Any two-page spread. One editorial spread or feature per entry. Not intended for submission of entire book or magazine.
Cover
Editorial Spread or Feature
All work will be mounted in a professionally acceptable manner on high quality, black 15" x 20" Mount Board or larger if individual pieces are necessary, with thin slip sheets between each board.
A business card sized identification card will be affixed to the back of each piece displaying the artist's name, phone number, and email.
Portraiture excluded, commercial photographs are not stand alone advertising messages. They are ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING.
The goal of this program is to encourage students to produce exceptional, creative photography as components of advertising with the advertising message in mind.
Each photograph MUST include a sample showing how the photograph was actually used in the advertising message.
When creating images for advertising, the product and/or type of company should be evident or obvious in the final sample showing the advertising message.
Your Final Photography Portfolio MUST include 15-20 pieces from the following list (2 maximum from any category):
ARCHITECTURE (Interior)
ARCHITECTURE (Exterior)
CUTLERY
DINNERWARE
GLASS PRODUCT (can include)
Beer
Wine
Liquors
DRINKS
Water
Tea
Milk
Coffee
FASHION (with or without model)
Sportswear
Swimwear
Casual wear
Footwear
HEALTH and BEAUTY PRODUCTS
Cosmetics
Fragrances
Medications
FOODSTUFFS
Meats
Produce
Confections
Snacks
Candy
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Cheeses
Eggs
Ice Cream
Milk
HOME ELECTRONICS
Computers
Cell Phones
iPods
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
Appliances
Toys
JEWELRY
SPORTING GOODS
MUSCIAL INSTRUMENTS
METALLIC PRODUCT
ENVIRONMENTAL/EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT
PORTRAIT (Head & Shoulders) (maximum 1)
PORTRAIT (Full Length) (maximum 1)
DIGITALLY ENHANCED PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographic images whose content has been digitally altered to create a new image (often creating an image not possible using traditional photo techniques). Utilitarian photo retouching, color correcting or photo editing alone does not qualify an image for this category. A sample of the original photo(s) MUST be supplied for proper judging.
Your photos can include any combination of the following except as noted: Digital Color Prints Standard Photographic Prints Black and White Prints (4 Max.)
All reflective art will be mounted in a professionally acceptable manner on high quality 11" x 14" black board.
A business card sized identification card will be affixed to the back of each piece displaying the artist's name, phone number, and email.
***OUR FILMMAKING OPTION HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED BEGINNING MAY 2016***
Your Final Demo Reel/Video Portfolio MUST include a short 1 minute highlight montage/music video plus 4-6 additional project pieces from the following list (no more than one of each category unless otherwise noted):
ANIMATION
SPECIAL EFFECTS
DOCUMENTARY
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
MUSIC VIDEO
SHORT FILM
MOVIE TRAILERS
Commercials for an upcoming film shown before or after a movie
TELEVISION COMMERCIALS
Commercial audio and video messages conveyed to the prospective/target consumer public by the seller of a product or service via a broadcast, cable or satellite transmission.
Local, Single–A single (one) TV commercial that is broadcast on the station(s) of one market
:15 or less. TV commercials that consume 15 or fewer seconds of
commercial airtime.
:30. TV commercials that consume between 16 and 30 seconds of airtime.
:60 or more. Includes all TV “direct marketing” commercials that are longer than one minute, but not included in the “Infomercial” category.
Local TV Campaign. Two to four commercials, of any length, with the same theme for the TV station.
TV, Single Product/Service
Consumer Products. The products only, not the sellers or dealers. May include cars, trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, manufacturers, fashion, sportswear, casual wear, lingerie, footwear, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, health and beauty products, medications, foodstuffs, meats, produce, confections, snacks, dairy products, beer, wine, liquors, drinks, water, tea, milk, coffee, sports beverages, home electronics, computers, household products, appliances, toys, sporting goods and other retail products.
Consumer Outlets. Includes, but is not limited to: retail stores, department, specialty, furniture, discount stores, restaurants, fast-food chains, specialty, franchises, supermarkets, convenience stores, mini-marts, grocery stores and other food retailers, automotive/boat/ motorcycle sales and rental, online retail sites, virtual store fronts on websites with online catalogs, sometimes gathered into a virtual mall, etc.
Consumer Services. May include media, cable companies, TV networks,
newspapers, magazines, radio stations, travel and tourism, cruise or airlines, hotels, resorts, destinations, entertainment, lotteries, amusement parks, movie promos, sports teams, casinos, hair salons, cleaning, employment, auto services, exercise spas, telephone companies, telephone directories, cellular service providers, pagers, long distance services, internet service providers, professional services, financial, legal, banking, investment services, brokerage firms, credit cards, insurance services, healthcare services, healthcare facilities, doctors, HMOs, company image, self-promotion, recruitment services, energy or utilities, natural gas companies, electric companies, political, religious, lobbying, special interest, etc. (not public service).
INTERNET COMMERCIALS
Any commercial run on the internet.
WEBISODES
An episode that airs initially as an Internet download or stream as opposed to first airing on broadcast or cable television. Entries in this category should be webisodes which advertise a product or service.
INFOMERCIALS
Any local, regional or national television advertising message that
consumes five or more minutes of airtime
ADVERTISING FOR THE ARTS & SCIENCES
Advertising created for activities, events and programs in any of the following:
• Any type of music, dance or visual arts (painting, sculpture, crafts, film, video or
computer art, etc.).
• Drama (theater and/or alternative space performances).
• Arts education, learning programs, classes, special events for the arts.
• Operas, symphonies, concerts, plays, art exhibits, craft shows, film festivals, art
museum exhibits, ballets, etc.
• All types of museums, zoos and galleries.
ALL VIDEO MUST BE TO ADVERTISE A PRODUCT, SERVICE, OR EVENT
All work will be submitted in a professionally acceptable manner on a high quality DVD with appropriate titling in a professionally designed custom package. Students will also submit an informative, written narrative about the contents of the DVD and the development of the student. A typewritten table of contents will also be submitted with the DVD.