Portfolio creation at SCAD

Written by Emily Sanders. Photo courtesy of World Scholarship Forum.

Almost every major at SCAD wraps up the end of their four years with some sort of portfolio to take into the real world. Some people have a portfolio class, others have capstones (multiple quarter-length classes that center around one main project) or final collections. But what goes into assembling a portfolio? 

To start off, SCAD provides free access to a website called Behance, which is a portfolio website that allows you to upload work, share and view other portfolios as well. Once you create an account, you can upload work that’s specific to your major. 

The website runs through Adobe, so it allows for portfolio work ranging from written text, videos, graphics, animations and renderings. Anything can be uploaded with a link as well if you have external work to showcase, or you can upload straight from your computer. This is a simple way to kickstart any portfolio, especially for the majors who leave SCAD with a website portfolio or one that’s based within a digital platform. 

Meanwhile, departments like Fashion have physical portfolios called final collections. This is a two-part quarter system in which you design a collection that is modeled by the end of the twenty weeks.

Film and Performance have reels they can keep for their overall portfolio but are still more physical than a website, and their overall work is based on being part of sets before your final senior thesis film or reel.

Current senior, Keegan Smith, is part of the Graphic Design department, in the process of creating her final portfolio physically and digitally.

“For the print portfolio I’m using InDesign,” She explained, “The rest I’m putting into a website. For that, I’m just using Squarespace.”

Here are a few of the pieces she’s included in her portfolio:

If you’re overwhelmed, take a deep breath. Collection and capstone based portfolios are built into your curriculum if you’re included in any of the above majors. Others like animation, illustration and so on can be built online. By saving your work throughout your four years and polishing it all in the designated portfolio class, you’ll be set.

It’s a lot less scary when you get straight to the point. Start collecting work now, and know you’ll be prepared when it’s your turn to create your final senior portfolios.