What’s in a Portfolio?

I was recently contacted by a former professor and was pleasantly surprised to learn about an opportunity to head down to LSU and help out with students’ portfolio reviews. It had been a couple years since I stepped foot into those familiar spaces, and I wondered how the program was evolving. Who were the new faces? How did my student work measure up? (believe me, I dug it up and looked through it…all of it!)

The format was basically me conducting interviews with the students. Somehow, I doubt that I was too intimidating, seeing as I look like some punk kid. If anything, I simply tried to convince students to find ways to experiment with some form of motion design. I’ve always been inspired by the depth of experience that people can take from a well conceived piece of animation.

Before the interviews, I had an opportunity to chat with the senior class a bit. All eyes on me — from seats which I sat in myself just three years ago. Thinking back to the conversation, I would like to have added one point (or some point anyway). It seems that in order to create design that speaks volumes, one has to approach it equally as a visual art and as an intellectual endeavor. And really, unpacking the implications of that statement is more than I care to try to do in a blog entry.

A big “thanx” to Lynne Baggett one more time; and students, if you happen to read any of this, feel free to contact me at your leisure.