Our two-day portfolio review event is back for round two! Applying for a job, whether its your first or your 40th, is difficult, time-consuming, and stressful. Much of the available information is too general to apply to your specific situation, especially if you're in a creative field.
This series of two events is presented by Simple Truth. Simple Truth is an independent, Chicago-loyal, women-owned creative branding agency — tapping into the hearts of organizations to drive engagement and growth. We work with clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to local nonprofits, creating solutions to their brand, campaign, communications systems and culture challenges.
Day 1
In Day 1 of our Virtual Portfolio Review, designer Cristiaan Jackson and Partner and Executive Creative Director at Simple Truth, Kim Terzis, will answer some of those lingering questions and uncover those hidden tricks that no one told you in school.
Cristiaan will spend time shedding light on her own experiences looking for a job as a new graduate, while Kim will walk participants through what she looks for as a hirer. Participants are encouraged to come prepared with questions. Please note: this day of the Virtual Portfolio Review is in a webinar format and will not feature personalized portfolio feedback. That will take place on Day 2, October 23.
Day 2
In the second day of our two-day Virtual Portfolio Review, participants will receive personalized, one-on-one feedback on your portfolio from an industry professional of their choosing.
In this portfolio review, we're offering both written and virtual options. Virtual reviews will consist of a 15-minute one-on-one Zoom breakout room with one of our fabulous reviewers, while written reviews will take place over email. If you choose written feedback, you will send your portfolio to us through a Google Form that will be made available to you and we will assign you a reviewer who will respond with general feedback and/or answers to any specific questions you have. Outside of your virtual review time slot, you're welcome to mingle with other review participants and make friends in the design community!
Our reviewers
Susan Bennett, Partner/Chief Creative Officer at Simple Truth
Field: Graphic design, branding
Number of years in field: 36
Susan has over 25 years of brand and communication design experience. Passionate about simplification, her career has led her to some of the most acclaimed design firms in the industry. She has been recognized for design excellence by the American Institute for Graphic Arts, and Print and Communications Arts magazines.
"What is one thing you wish you knew when you were first applying for jobs?"
Ask yourself with every opportunity “what can I learn here?”
Cristiaan Jackson, Associate Designer at Golin
Field: Print + Branding + Motion Graphics + Illustration
Number of years in field: 1
Cristiaan Jackson is a recent graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and currently works as an Associate Designer at Golin. Even though she is just beginning her design career, Cristiaan has gained experience from several design leadership roles while in undergrad, by mentoring Loyola designers, and from frequently volunteering at the Design Museum of Chicago. She loves helping other designers follow their passion by sharing all the tips and tricks she's learned to make it ahead in this competitive industry.
Annie Leue, Art Director of Design and Marketing at the Design Museum of Chicago
Field: Graphic design, installation design, teaching
Number of years in field: 7
Annie Leue is a graphic designer, writer, art director, and lecturer living in Chicago. She holds an MFA in Visual Communication Design from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She’s most interested in the crossroads between language, design, and civic engagement as a means to drive social change. She enjoys dogs and exploiting her partial deafness?to make people repeat compliments.
"What is one thing you wish you knew when you were first applying for jobs?"
That being true to your interests and passions is integral to growth.
Kim Terzis, Partner/Executive Creative Director at Simple Truth
Field: Graphic design, branding
Number of years in field: 31
Kim Terzis has been working with Simple Truth for over 30 years helping Fortune 500 companies, small businesses and non-profits get to the core of what they're all about, help them realize the power of it and design compelling ways for people to connect with them by providing strategy, brand building, communication design and digital development.
"What is one thing you wish you knew when you were first applying for jobs?"
That landing the your dream job isn’t always about what’s in your portfolio—sometimes (often) it is more about the process, the passion and fitting with the culture. Bring you whole, authentic self to every conversation and let the work speak for itself.