Student Portfolio One-on-One

Since 1993, AIGA Minnesota’s annual Portfolio One-on-One event has provided advice, insight, and industry information to design students from around the upper Midwest. Over the course of two days, students interact with professional designers during studio tours, portfolio reviews, and other activities. Students gain invaluable career insights and make connections that can lead to internships, mentorships, and jobs.

Studio tours give students a glimpse of different types of work environments. A panel discussion provides a chance to hear advice from and ask questions of experienced design professionals. Students are also given the opportunity to submit their portfolios for scholarship awards. Workshops on a variety of topics relevant to students and entry-level designers are held in tandem with the portfolio review sessions. Each student is given the opportunity to participate in at least three of these scheduled review sessions. The 20-minute sessions place the student one-on-one with a design professional who critiques the student’s portfolio and evaluates their presentation skills. The designers who donate their time to the event come from large and small studios throughout the Twin Cities. They all have several years of experience in the industry and represent all varieties of print, multimedia, and interactive design.