• Try “portfolio”, “ink”, “branding” or a code like “PRS 101”.

PRS 210Professional Identity and Online Presence

Creating Portfolio Case Studies

Select your strongest projects and turn them into case studies that show your thinking, process and results, not just the final image.

In developmentDraft content

About this course

A portfolio is an argument for hiring you. This course covers editing (choosing and sequencing 8 to 12 pieces for a specific audience) and then the case study: the problem, your role, the process, the decisions and the outcome, told in words and images. It works for client projects, self-initiated briefs and confidential work you can only describe. It does not cover building a website; pair it with a Digital Media and Web course for that.

Who it’s for: Designers, illustrators and artists with at least six finished pieces who want a portfolio that explains their value. Some experience presenting work is helpful.

You will be able to

  • Select and sequence 8 to 12 pieces for a named audience
  • Write a case study covering brief, role, process, decisions and outcome
  • Plan and produce process images that support a case study
  • Present confidential or unpublished work responsibly
  • Write captions and credits that are accurate and concise

Prerequisites

Studio project

An edited 8–12 piece portfolio selection with captions and two complete, presentation-ready case studies.

To complete this course

  • Complete every required lesson.
  • Have the assignment “Portfolio edit and sequence” accepted by an instructor.
  • Have the assignment “Two complete case studies” accepted by an instructor.
  • Records of completion are issued only for courses whose content has passed instructor review.

Part of

Syllabus

Working titles: they may change as the course is written.

  1. Module 1: Editing the body of work

    Choose fewer, better pieces for the person reviewing them.

    1. 1.1Who is reviewing?Reading · 20 min
    2. 1.2Choosing 8 to 12 piecesExercise · 45 min
    3. 1.3SequencingReading · 20 min

  2. Module 2: Case study structure

    A repeatable shape that still reads like a story.

    1. 2.1Anatomy of a case studyReading · 25 min
    2. 2.2Writing the brief and your roleExercise · 30 min
    3. 2.3Decisions, not diariesReading · 20 min

  3. Module 3: Process visuals

    Images that prove the thinking.

    1. 3.1What process to showReading · 20 min
    2. 3.2Mock-ups, honestlyReading · 15 min
    3. 3.3Producing process imagesStudio · 60 min

  4. Module 4: Words, captions and credits

    Short, specific text that helps the reviewer.

    1. 4.1Captions that workExercise · 30 min
    2. 4.2Results and evidenceReading · 20 min

  5. Module 5: Confidential, spec and personal work

    What you can show, what you can't, and what to do instead.

    1. 5.1Confidential and unreleased workReading · 20 min
    2. 5.2Self-initiated briefsExercise · 30 min

Author: Ricketts University curriculum team (draft for founder review) · Not yet reviewed

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