NIACC Student Portfolio
Real world, real experience
Graduates of the Design Programs at NIACC walk away with real-world experience, having solved real-world design problems in the classroom and on the streets.
Working with real clients
Typically, students work with a variety of clients, addressing their specific needs and requirements. Projects like these hone the production skills learned in the classroom while helping to develop the skills needed to communicate with business people (and possibly employers), correctly document user needs, and design viable solutions to real problems.
Here are some of the types of organizations NIACC Design Students have created web solutions for:
- Charitable organizations
- Non-profits and churches
- Small businesses
- NIACC college and instructor sites
There are links to a couple student-project sites in the sidebar on the right side of this page.
Working as part of a large team
One of the most important skills graduates develop is the ability to work productively as part of a large, multi-skill team.
Web designers and graphic designers join forces to work in teams of five to ten on projects like the 2008 campaign materials for the United Way of North Central Iowa. Materials created for the campaign include:
- Logo design
- Web site redesign
- Brochures, folders, inserts, flyers, pledge cards
- Television and radio ads
- Campaign video
You can watch the campaign video by following the link in the sidebar at right.
Displaying their work
Students are given the opportunity to display their work in varied ways.
Before graduation, each student produces an electronic portfolio that is used to solicit employment or demonstrate skills to four-year institutions for transfer. These portfolios include a gallery of the students best work from their college career. Continuing the portfolio after graduation gives the student a working piece for soliciting job transfers or pursuing freelance work.
There are links to a few student electronic portfolios in the sidebar on the right.
Digital Photography students are given the chance to display and possibly sell their work in an art show. In the past, these photo shows have taken place at area coffee houses, auditorium lobbies, and other high-traffic venues. Students have also displayed their work as part of other group shows or as individual artist shows. (Our students are a talented lot.)