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.
We're offering both written and virtual options — if you choose written feedback, you will send your portfolio to your chosen reviewer through a Google Form that will be made available to you and they will respond with general feedback and/or answers to any specific questions you have. In a virtual meeting, you'll be invited to a group Zoom meeting where you will be placed in a breakout room with your reviewer for a 15-minute meeting slot. Outside of that time slot, you're welcome to mingle with other review participants and make friends in the design community!
This series of two events is presented by Simple Truth. Simple Truth is a fiercely independent, Chicago-loyal creative branding agency. We’re a majority women owned business. We work with clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to local nonprofits, creating solutions to their brand, campaign, communications systems and culture challenges.
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: 8 months
Cristiaan recently graduated from SAIC and has only been working as a Graphic Designer for 8 months. Even though she is new to the design work world, Cristiaan has had several design leadership roles while in undergrad, is currently mentoring Loyola designers, and frequently volunteers at the Design Museum of Chicago. She is also writing a book–with fellow SAIC alumni Lenny Moore–that examines mathematics through the lens of design.
Jocelyn Dinkel, Executive Recruiter with Horizontal Talent, Chicago
Field: Senior recruiter for marketing and creative talent
Number of years in field: 9
Throughout her 8 years of professional staffing experience and 13 years in retail, Jocelyn has practiced unique and out-of-the-box thinking. As a recruiter, a manager and also through her philanthropic efforts she has identified partnerships within the community and leveraged her expertise to help maintain trusting and meaningful relationships that help build successful teams.
In her most recent position as Executive Recruiter, she has had the opportunity to take a strong and vital role in the success of the company and the creative community of Chicago. Her curiosity for digital and creative innovation drives her to stay well researched on the latest trends and enables her to partner with the most respected leaders in the field. With a dedication to ever-improving best practices she breathes new life into the job hunt.
"What is one thing you wish you knew when you were first applying for jobs?"
What is the best way to stand out from my competitors in the market?
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 more than 25 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.