What to expect when you’re expecting
(to submit a portfolio for review)

Soph Return

Are you in need of some tips on the design of your portfolio? Have you been wanting to see examples of portfolios? Want to hear some encouraging words from upperclassmen who’ve made it through portfolio? Meet SOPH Return. A space where past sophomores return the favor by sharing and reflecting on their portfolios. Here, you can view past sophomore portfolios, learn from the feedback they received, and rest knowing that you’ve got this, we’ve been in your shoes, and we are here for you!

Learn more about the Sophomore Portfolio Review >

Portfolio review can be extremely isolating, and I was consumed by stress and self-doubt my entire sophomore year. If you’re feeling this way, the second best thing you can do is reach out to your professors, mentors, classmates, family, and friends, no matter where you’re at with the portfolio. The first best thing you can do is remember that “your work is not you, and you are not your work.” Drill it into your head, and say it out loud if you need to. The portfolio review is a demonstration to show your professors that you’ve learned the skills they’ve taught you. It, ultimately, has nothing to do with you, and your potential as a designer definitely doesn’t cap in your second or third year of school. Be proud of the beautiful things you make, and accept critique as a tool to help you move forward. I truly believe you can do this!

Edwin Paquette (he/they)
Plan your time out early on with checkpoints for each project. Try your hardest to leave the last few weeks open for last minute changes and allow ample time to complete the portfolio design. Most importantly, don’t work in a bubble!! Working on my portfolio outside of class alongside my sweet friends made a world of a difference in improving my morale, keeping me motivated and accountable, and having someone around to make the whole experience a lot less scary. It’s also so helpful to be able to quickly turn to someone to get quick feedback on specific things in the moment. Believe in yourself, work hard, and make cool things!! You’ve got this <3

Noah Brown (she/they)
If you’re a transfer student, and you feel nervous about how your work stacks up to those who are continuing in the PSU program, meet with a PSUGD faculty member and go over your portfolio with them! It’s way less intimidating than you think.

Ash Kukuzke (she/her)
Hi Sophomore, It’s that time of year huh. It’s okay to be nervous – use that energy to push your projects forward! Be inspired to take fun risks! Experiment! Showcase different design skills and interests! Make something you are proud of, no matter what the outcome will be! (Take breaks ofc) Prepare ahead of time so you don’t rush or feel as stressed! Submit on time! And chill.

Angela Nguyen (she/her)
Don’t take your process work for granted!! Keep track of all of your research, sketches, iterations, and explorations throughout the project and include ALL of that in your portfolio. The more thorough you are, the higher you are going to score in that category and the higher you are going to score overall. My highest rating was in my process and it definitely helped raise my final score.

Stacey Horton (she/her)
The biggest piece of advice I have is to always ask for feedback, and learn new perspectives from your peers when receiving critiques and feedback. Every-time I felt closer to finishing a project, I would ask my professors, my fellow students, and my friends their thoughts on my project. Hearing what they had to say really let me know how my project was coming across, and how it was holding up visually. This helped me to push my projects even more, and really fine tune all aspects of the project. Also make sure to step away from your projects and take some time for yourself! Those little breaks really help to keep your mind and body fresh and focused. Keep working hard, and creating great designs! Im rooting for you all!

Casey Litchfield (he/him)
While you complete your sophomore-level studio courses, especially during Winter and Spring terms, tackle those projects as if they’re going into your portfolio upon completion. It’s always a great idea to revise your projects, but do your future self a favor by doing GREAT work the first time around! I spent a lot of time adding things to old projects that I wish I would’ve incorporated from the beginning. Also, to my fellow illustrators out there: you’ll have tons of time post-portfolio to explore illustration, so don’t neglect your typography skills! 😉

Chloe Findtner
One thing that really got me down during portfolio (and is still something I’m working on) was comparing my work to my peers! The more time away I’ve had from portfolio the easier this has gotten, but just remember that you’re doing good work and everyone is capable of doing good design. I was also terrible when it came to breaks and I’ve realized that time away from design majorly re energizes and motivates me to make things I end up feeling really proud of. If you can set aside a day or two per week or even just at a certain point every evening when you don’t even open your laptop, the space you give yourself to relax or do something fun will ultimately help your creative output in the long run 🙂

Paris Fox