The Living Assessment
Please Contribute Your Thoughts
Needs Assessment for Multimedia Portfolio Design for Students
(Please take the time to answer this questionnaire. Your own interpretation of the questions is encouraged.)

Name:

Title:

1. Your validation (relation to Multimedia or Portfolios):


2. What elements do you feel should be included in a Multimedia Portfolio?


3. What do you feel employers are looking for in a Multimedia Portfolio?

4. How do you feel Multimedia Portfolios should be presented?


5. General comments, concerns or feelings towards students creating a Multimedia Portfolio:
or email these results to leah@leah-marie.com

Name: Jason Bock
Title: LASERTRON
1. Your validation (relation to Multimedia or Portfolios):
Former ad director, art director, currently in charge of marketing and occasional buyer of multimedia
2. What elements do you feel should be included in a Multimedia
Portfolio?
Individual projects of merit, software used, graphic design elements
3. What do you feel employers are looking for in a Multimedia Portfolio?
A personal sense of style, command of software and quality work
4. How do you feel Multimedia Portfolios should be presented?
Best served personally, but since that is not possible, I favor web over DVD/CDs
5. General comments, concerns or feelings towards students creating a
Multimedia Portfolios:
--Keep it updated, continue working (if possible) after classes
--Be prepared to specifically describe how you generated
effects/work...the world is full of people who borrow other people's works.
--A small, complete project is much better than an almost finished project
--All elements will be reviewed as a part of human nature...if your skill
is graphics and you include sound in an animation...you better be able to
do quality sound work and the sound better be good. Multi-media IS multi-media after all. Scripting, writing, editing and directing will all play a huge role in multi-media...not just the graphics.
Name: Aimee Murch
Title: (Financial Aid Admin at ITT Tech in Getzville, NY)

1. Your validation (relation to Multimedia or Portfolios):
My exposure to Multimedia Portfolios occurs very early in the student’s school entrance process. As an extension to the admissions process, I familiarize myself with the program elements. In this way I am able to share these elements with new, prospective students. The Multimedia Portfolio is a showcase for the student’s accomplishments and a source of pride for ITT Technical Institute.

2. What elements do you feel should be included in a Multimedia Portfolio?
The Multimedia Portfolio should feature work the student is most proud of. This work doesn’t have to be limited to pieces that earned the highest grades, but should include inspirational, thought provoking, and conversation inducing works, as well.

3. What do you feel employers are looking for in a Multimedia Portfolio?
Employers are looking for styles to compliment the structure already in place within their organization.

4. How do you feel Multimedia Portfolios should be presented?
The Portfolio should be a place for the student to highlight their creativity. The portfolio should not be limited to a simple carrying case, but should include some Internet accessible options, as well.

5. General comments, concerns or feelings towards students creating a Multimedia Portfolios:
The Multimedia Portfolio is a culmination of the student’s work. The student should be familiar with the need for a Portfolio as early in their college curriculum as possible. Feedback in a constructive format from peers and students should be encouraged to give the student an idea about how their work will be perceived by others, including future, would-be employers.

Name: Joey Buczek
Title: Photographer/Visual Artist
1. Your validation (relation to Multimedia or Portfolios):
I work extensively with portfolio-building and creation.
2. What elements do you feel should be included in a Multimedia Portfolio?
All the strong points of the artist.
3. What do you feel employers are looking for in a Multimedia Portfolio?
Diversity and consistency in the prospective artist. Diversity when it comes to the various areas that the artist excels at, but consistency in each individual project's scope and design. Also, the artist should display only their best and/or latest works.
4. How do you feel Multimedia Portfolios should be presented?
In the format that they were created. For example, if the portfolio is mostly video work, then snapshots of the videos aren't enough; it should be the video itself or various clips of it if the length is an issue time-wise. The portfolio should also be clean and neat/sharp. Do not go overboard with extra trimmings and fancy typeface or graphics if they are not part of the artwork. Remember, your portfolio is not a piece of art itself, it is a professional presentation OF your artwork.
5. General comments, concerns or feelings towards students creating a Multimedia Portfolios:
Always show your best/latest works. If you have something kicking around from a few years back that you like but don't feel is your best, don't include it. Don't use sub-par work as "filler". ever. Even if you only have three best works, just show those. Other work can be viewed upon request if necessary.
Name: Kelly L. Leeper
Title: Student
1. Your validation (relation to Multimedia or Portfolios):
Multimedia Student

2. What elements do you feel should be included in a Multimedia Portfolio?
Environmental Design, Graphic Design, Print Design, Web Design, 3D Modeling and Rigging, and Instructional Design.

3. What do you feel employers are looking for in a Multimedia Portfolio?
Creativity, User Friendly, Different styles abstract, contemporary, and typography.

4. How do you feel Multimedia Portfolios should be presented?
Digitally and Cased and Online.

5. General comments, concerns or feelings towards students creating a Multimedia Portfolios:
I don’t know. PLEASE HELP MEEEEEE. MAKE A GREAT ONE!!!
Name: Tim Herzog
Title: President Flying Bison Brewing Company
1. Your validation (relation to Multimedia or Portfolios):
Job applicants for design or website positions usually bring multi media to show the breadth of their work.
2. What elements do you feel should be included in a Multimedia Portfolio?
For our needs, web experience is a must. A disc containing web design, or computer graphics that could be uploaded to website is helpful. Also some demonstration of advanced print (label, carrier, billboard) applications helps.
3. What do you feel employers are looking for in a Multimedia Portfolio?
Solid understanding of the basics of design as well as ability to use latest technology to achieve results.
4. How do you feel Multimedia Portfolios should be presented?
Generally a disc that contains the electronically generated pieces, and a standard 2D presentation of print designs will show me the capabilities of each applicant.
5. General comments, concerns or feelings towards students creating a Multimedia Portfolios:
If I have to assist in setting up presentation, it’s over. The presenter had better be more computer literate than I am, or they are not going to help me advance. The presentation should not look or feel like a video game. Only the creative director at a video game company wants to see that.
Name:___Mark A. Onesi___
Title:__Dean of Academic Affairs (ITT Tech Getzville, NY)
1. Your validation (relation to Multimedia or Portfolios):
Have taught non-multimedia portfolio classes in the past

2. What elements do you feel should be included in a Multimedia Portfolio?
Evidence of creativity and knowledge of the multimedia field. But, the included elements should be tasteful and geared towards the needs of an employer, not just games or the likes of the student themselves.

3. What do you feel employers are looking for in a Multimedia Portfolio?
Evidence that the prospective employee can do things that the employer needs. They are looking for breadth of abilities. Limiting the portfolio only to the elements most liked by the student doesn’t show flexibility and/or in-depth knowledge of the field.

4. How do you feel Multimedia Portfolios should be presented?
On video or disk. Hard copy is a back-up, but the bulk of employers would like to see the automated version.

5. General comments, concerns or feelings towards students creating a Multimedia Portfolios:
Too often, multimedia students are focused on one area of the field. They enjoy a certain type of multimedia course and they excel in that area. But, they fail to see the need for a more well-rounded presentation of their skills and abilities. Most employers are looking for employees who can fill their needs and be flexible enough to branch out into additional areas of the field. This flexibility and well-rounded ability should be displayed.
Name:__Kristan Lambert
Title:_Career Services Specialist (ITT Tech Getzville, NY)
1. Your validation (relation to Multimedia or Portfolios):
I assist the students with gaining employment in their field once they graduate from the school, their portfolios are a very important aspect of their job search and thus I deem Multimedia Portfolios very necessary.

2. What elements do you feel should be included in a Multimedia Portfolio?
Hand drawings, advertising aspects, logo, company website, etc. a product concept and design, 3D modeling examples, animation examples, utilization of photoshop and illustrator, html experience, css and dreamweaver as well, a final project and also their resume- prefer to see a creative watermarked resume.

3. What do you feel employers are looking for in a Multimedia Portfolio?
Diversity and flexibility, skills and the usage of those skills and how those skills are essentially being “sold”

4. How do you feel Multimedia Portfolios should be presented?
Website or CD, but would prefer a website

5. General comments, concerns or feelings towards students creating a Multimedia Portfolios:
I think it should be a mandatory effort by all Multimedia students, it is to assist them in their professional future and should be considered as that when creating it.

Name: Christopher Martone
Title: Multimedia Student
1. Your validation (relation to Multimedia or Portfolios):
ITT Tech Multimedia Student

2. What elements do you feel should be included in a Multimedia Portfolio?
Past works including websites, 3D renders, brochures, pamphlets, drawings etc.

3. What do you feel employers are looking for in a Multimedia Portfolio?
All of the above. Well designed products, and product suites that show you are capable of good quality work and that shows you are right for the job

4. How do you feel Multimedia Portfolios should be presented?
CD preferably a CD-RW so that you can constantly update it. Of course some tangible works should also be included in a folder.

5. General comments, concerns or feelings towards students creating a Multimedia Portfolios:
It should tie in with your resume and should carry on any images or styling from it.
Name: Jonathan Bauer
Title: Multimedia student (graphic designer)
1. Your validation (relation to Multimedia or Portfolios):
I am a 7th quarter multimedia student that is carrying a 4.0 GPA, I have done photo editing work outside of school and also ad design at my current job.
2. What elements do you feel should be included in a Multimedia Portfolio?
A digital portfolio of your work, free hand drawings and computer generated samples. These samples should be put into the digital portfolio and also a snapshot of the images of the computer work should be put into the hard copy of the portfolio.
3. What do you feel employers are looking for in a Multimedia Portfolio?
They want to see a solid understanding of the programs and the talent of the person submitting it has. The way the portfolio is laid out will also show the organization and project management.
4. How do you feel Multimedia Portfolios should be presented?
I believe a person should be ready to present it in one of two ways. The first should be done in hard format where all of the samples are in a leather type bounded portfolio so the employer can flip themselves. A second one should be done on a CD or as a website so an employer can look it up at anytime.
5. General comments, concerns or feelings towards students creating a Multimedia Portfolios:
An organized portfolio is a must and also the preparation of and little details are what will set it apart. The portfolio needs to be diverse and span all of your different talents. For multimedia students we need to make more steps than other industry portfolios because I feel multimedia students are judged more on a visual portfolio than what is written.