Live Courses | Impact

This course focuses on building a strong design career through portfolios, case studies, and personal storytelling. Whether transitioning fields or advancing your credentials, you’ll craft a clear narrative, refine your job search, and prepare for the hiring process.

PORTFOLIO AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Who should take this course?

Early to Mid-Level Researchers

Grow your ability to turn synthesized data into compelling narratives that speak to broader audiences and more effectively drive change on teams.

Product Designers


Develop a deeper understanding of user needs and behaviors, create more informed and innovative design solutions, and communicate their insights compellingly to stakeholders

Product Managers


Enhance your capacity to understand user needs, guide the development of user-centered products, communicate effectively with design and development teams

Couse Summary

Upon completing this course, you will be able to tell the story of your body of work, how it relates to you as a person, and to potential clients and/or employers.

Key Details

  • Format: Live instruction from AC4D faculty, including office hours

  • Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7-9 PM CST

  • Duration: 10 weeks

  • Tuition: $4,000 $2,550

  • Location: Remote

Upcoming Courses

  • 📆 March 24, 2025

  • 📌 Enrollments close approximately two weeks before each course begins.

This course will enable you to:

  • Create an MVP Portfolio: One-pager of profile and case studies

  • Update your resume to match your brand

  • Create a holistic portfolio of touch points: be able to illustrate your POV and body of work across different mediums with unique requirements.

  • Begin to apply and interview for work

  • Increase familiarity with the creative industry, how design is being practiced and applied, subtle changes or evolutions in this space, and nascent opportunities

  • Deepen understanding of audience and values in prospective practice areas

  • Understand modern hiring practices and be able to prepare and perform well in order to achieve your goals

Curriculum

  • Week 1: Personal Narrative & Storytelling

  • Week 2: Personal Statement & Design Principles

  • Week 3: Design Basics: Layout & Hierarchy

  • Week 4: Working Session

  • Week 5: Guest Critique

  • Week 6: Portfolios & Design Criteria I

  • Week 7: Portfolios & Design Criteria II

  • Week 8: Portfolios & Design Criteria III

  • Week 9: Interview Decks & Mock Interviews

  • Week 10: Presentations, Reflection & Celebration

AC4D students, alumni & faculty are Designing for Impact