Lesson Plan
Course Title: Graphic Design & Illustration
Session Title:
Digital Portfolios
Lesson Duration: Approximately 1-2 weeks
[Lesson length is subjective and will vary from instructor to instructor]
Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this assignment, the student will create a digital portfolio.
Specific Objectives:
 Identify reasons for creating a digital portfolio.
 Outline steps in planning a digital portfolio.
 Identify major components of a digital portfolio.
 Compare and contrast sample portfolios.
 Critique portfolio pieces for inclusion in digital portfolio.
 Design a layout for an interface that will eventually hold the samples of a student’s work.
 Evaluate the digital portfolio interface layout.
 Create a digital portfolio.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
130.88 ( c) (1) (A)
The student applies academic knowledge and skills in art and design projects. The student is
expected to: apply English language arts knowledge and skills by demonstrating use of content,
technical concepts, and vocabulary; …and composing and editing copy for a variety of written
documents such as brochures, programs, posters, flyers, and magazine covers;
130.88 ( c) (2) (A)
The student understands professional communications strategies. The student is expected to:
adapt language for audience, purpose, situation, and intent such as structure and style;
130.88 ( c) (9)
The student develops employability characteristics. The student is expected to:
130.88 ( c) (9) (D)
maintain a career portfolio to document work experience, licenses, certifications, and work
samples;
130.88 ( c) (11) (E)
analyze and apply art elements and principles;
130.88 ( c) (11) (F)
The student develops an increasing understanding of graphic design and illustration. The
student is expected to: employ a creative design process to create original two- and threedimensional projects by;
(i) creating designs for defined applications;
(ii) applying elements of design;
(iii) applying design principles and typography;
AAVTC: Graphic Design & Illustration: Digital Portfolios
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
1
Instructor/Trainer
References:
 Writer’s business expertise
 Cynthia L. Baron. (2010). Designing a digital portfolio (2nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: New Riders
Publishers.
Instructional Aids:
 Digital Portfolios Slide Presentation
 Digital Portfolios Checklist
 Rubric
Materials Needed:
 Software
 Portfolio pieces
Equipment Needed:
 Projection device from a computer
 Computer
Learner
Portfolio pieces that have been completed in class.
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
Say: How many of you have tried to get a job and not been hired?” (ask the students
for a show of hands)
What if you knew you had the skills to do the job, and the only thing that prevented
you from getting that job was your portfolio?”
If there was a way to set your portfolio apart and to make it so professional that it
couldn’t help but be noticed, would you like to learn how to do that?” (certainly they
would)
Discuss the different components that go into making a digital portfolio and the
importance of keeping your portfolio growing. Portfolios are living documents, and
it’s important to keep your portfolios fluid and technologically current.
AAVTC: Graphic Design & Illustration: Digital Portfolios
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
2
Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructor Notes:
I. Identify reasons to create a digital portfolio
A. Artistic capabilities
B. Technology capabilities
C. Professionalism
The instructor may show the
slide presentation in
conjunction with the outline.
II. Outline steps in planning a digital portfolio
A. Planning
B. Collection and preparing
C. Production
D. Marketing
III. Identify major ingredients in a digital portfolio
A. Variety
B. Style
C. Technology and craft
D. Process
E. Concept and creativity
F. Soul searching and content adaptation
Show various online
portfolios and discuss the
major ingredients. Ask
students to identify what they
like/dislike about the
portfolios. Encourage them to
generate ideas for their own
portfolios.
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students may work in pairs for this guided practice section. Two students in a group
– students trade off critiquing the other student’s portfolio pieces and then change
roles.
Going on your current knowledge, offer a constructive critique to help your partner
improve his/her portfolio.
Suggest looking at online digital portfolios of currently working artists. Students work
in pairs so they may verbally interact and bounce ideas off each other. Also suggest
reviewing websites on creating digital portfolios:
 http://www.johnhendron.net/documents/digital_portfolios.pdf for ideas on
creating digital portfolios
 Research for ideas on how to on creating a digital portfolio
 Research for other digital portfolio resources
After the students have developed their own portfolio interface (in the independent
practice segment of this lesson), they may regroup to evaluate progress on the
portfolio.
The teacher may move about the room to observe the students’ interactions and
constructive comments.
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
AAVTC: Graphic Design & Illustration: Digital Portfolios
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
3
Students will create an interface design for their digital portfolio. They will need to
consider the categories they want to be present in the section.
The teacher will use the rubric to determine whether the students completed their
interface satisfactorily.
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Checking for understanding:
It is important to have a digital portfolio when applying for a design job as it helps the
potential employer understand your artistic capabilities and grasp your knowledge of
technology.
1. It is important to leave a copy of the digital portfolio because it is an advanced
and sophisticated reminder that you were there and that you do great work. It
also gives the potential employer the chance to look at your work again.
2. What are the main steps in preparing a digital portfolio? (Planning, Collection
and Preparing, Production, Marketing)
3. What are the major ingredients of a portfolio? (Variety, Style, Technology and
Craft, Process, and Concept and Creativity)
4. In a graphic design portfolio, what is a good mix of elements? (Art, 2D
graphics, Design, Freelance work, Motion graphics, and possibly 3D
animation)
5. What is “soul searching” and why is it important? (Soul searching is the
process of identifying strengths and weaknesses, pinning down goals,
identifying personal values, and discovering the personality. It is important to
know these things about yourself prior to designing a portfolio so that the
work will properly portray the individual…you!)
6. What do you need to know about content adaptation? (You should ask
honest questions of yourself regarding quality, quantity, and whether some
pieces need to be rethought or reworked.)
Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
Student peer-to-peer critique and teacher assessment of interface.
AAVTC: Graphic Design & Illustration: Digital Portfolios
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
The students will interface as step one in the creation of their digital portfolio. The
formal assessment occurs as the pages of the portfolio are completed. The teacher
will return the student files with suggestions on how the pages might be improved.
The grading for this project is not as important as the ongoing development of the
portfolio with constant interaction between student, instructor, and peers.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
Students may create an online portfolio using the interface they created; learning
digital software to prepare the interface to be used on the web.
AAVTC: Graphic Design & Illustration: Digital Portfolios
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Digital Portfolio Checklist
Besides creative and artistic work consider these as appropriate:
___An Introduction or Bio
___Pictures of yourself
___Contact Information
___Resume
___Accolades – Honors – Awards
___Letters of recommendation
___Certifications
___Other creativity such as poetry or music
___Major accomplishments
___Community service/involvement
AAVTC: Graphic Design & Illustration: Digital Portfolios
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
6
Digital Portfolio Rubric
Criteria
Excellent
Good
5
3
Needs
Unacceptable
Improvement
1
0
Score
Completeness
All components
(Intro., Resume, Work
Samples, Contact Info.,
Honors/Certs/Accolades,
Community service)
Visual Appeal
Variety
Style
Technology and craft
Process
Concept and creativity
Content adaptation
Mechanics
Organization
Neatness
Spelling/Grammar
TOTAL:
Comments:
Point to Grade
Conversion:
45-50 = A
40-44 = B
35-39 = C
30-34 = D
Below 30 = F
AAVTC: Graphic Design & Illustration: Digital Portfolios
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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