51-374/774
Preparing For Design PracticeInstructor: Kelsey Elder (MM204a)
Fridays 9–11:50 in MM203 Office Hours T/R 1–2 & via emailed request

Portfolio Package



Project Overview How will you record, capture, detail, archive, and tell your (design) story to others?

Your portfolio is a platform for telling the story of your creative process and thinking. It is a never-ending project that showcases your visual voice, expertise, unique point of view, and personality to potential collaborators and clients. It is one of the most critical things you will design. This curated collection of your work evidences your skill and your ability to execute projects. As a design object, it reflects your ability to curate—and narrate—the story of your creative process both visually and verbally.

So, how will you tell and share your story?

In this project, you will set goals for your professional growth and establish a sustainable workflow for maintaining a public design presence. You will systematically curate, document, and describe your work while exploring how these methodologies can amplify your unique perspective.


Rounds This overarching project is broken into a series of “Rounds” that are intended to support the development of your portfolio package. Refer to this page for weekly specifics.


Final Deliverables The final deliverables include:

  • A targeted list of desired employers/clients
  • Resume/CV
  • Portfolio: Website
  • Portfolio: PDF 
    .pdf, under 10mb, ready to attach in email

Optional deliverables include:
  • Cover Letters
  • Letterheads & Templates 
    e.g.; business card, invoice / estimate / proposal template
  • Motion Reel

Additional & ReferencesAll CMU students have access to a free Cargo site. Details about this can be found in our Google Drive. 

Examples of portfolios and resumes are hosted in our Google Drive. I have asked these designers permission to share with you for academic purposes only. These are for your eyes only. They contain sensitive information, like emails, phone numbers, and projects which are under NDAs. For the well-being of these individuals, you must agree not to share these items. Failure to adhere to this will be considered academic misconduct and will be grounds for failing the course.

Our Are.na contains further references and examples that are publically sharable.