AIGA Get A Job Bootcamp

Last weekend I attended the AIGA Get A Job Bootcamp at the Des Moines Central Library. Overall I thought it was a really great experience. The guest speaker from Saturday Manufacturing had some great tips about making your portfolio and your work stand out. I really liked when he said that the work in your portfolio should show thinking behind the work (rather than it just look aesthetically pleasing). I know when I'm working on projects I have a lot of thinking behind each decision, so I will remember to mention this thinking process in future portfolio reviews. Listening to the panel of recent graduates was also very insightful. I was glad to hear that they have struggled with some of the problems I am struggling with right now (mainly working with printers and getting things ready to be sent to clients). This just reminded me that there are a lot of aspects about this profession that can't be taught in a classroom. The best part of the day in my opinion was the portfolio reviews. I sat down with four individuals and discussed my work I have in my portfolio (which finally came in the mail!). Everyone had nothing but good comments to make about my pieces, which was great to hear. One of the pieces I included in my portfolio was a mobile app I designed for a class last semester, and most of my reviewers said that it was a great piece to include because it's different than what most people have. I know that I have to do some tweaking to my portfolio and include more recent pieces, but overall I think I have a good start on it, and this Bootcamp gave me some other insights on how to make it better.

Folder of materials I received at the AIGA Get a Job Bootcamp