First-year Visual Communications students at the Charles H. Bohlen Jr. Technical Center are in the final push to complete the first stage of their digital portfolios.

Each student who completes the Visual Communications program leaves with a completed website as well as a paper-based portfolio of their work. 

More than just galleries showcasing projects, the digital portfolios help students visualize career goals and life beyond high school, Visual Communications Instructor Rich Clarke says.

In their portfolios, each student discusses their experience as a young graphic designer and the skills and knowledge they’ve gained. They also discuss their vision for the future and where they might further their education after completing the second year of the course.

“These students have a vision for their life and many of them have their sites set on post secondary education and future jobs in advertising, animation, publication design, multi-media presentation, game art and design, Web development and other areas,” Mr. Clarke says.

According to Clarke, the jobs outlook for the graphic communications field is promising for successful students who go on to further study at two and four-year post-secondary programs.

“It’s one of the growing career fields and it’s constantly changing. We’re always going to need visual communicators. If you have the skills set – you can find work,” Mr. Clarke said.
 
Mr. Clarke says the students’ digital portfolio is their personal website created in Dreamweaver CS5. Their site is meant to be a living document that will refine and grow with each student. The first year emphasis is on functionality and basic design, which the students will refine in the second year of the course.