Portfolios and Professionals is back – this year with even more to offer! There will be three events – students must register for each individually, though all are welcome to attend all three! Descriptions of each are below. Questions? Contact Hillary L'Ecuyer ([email protected])
SHOWROOM TOURS
Thursday, February 22nd
5pm-7pm
Showrooms are one of the most valuable resources designers have access to in Kansas City. On this tour, students will get to learn about some of the latest and greatest products on the market while experiencing them first-hand. Our local reps will also share about their career paths and roles in our design community. If you’re considering a career as a manufacturer rep or dealer designer, you won’t want to miss this!
PROJECT + FIRM TOURS
Friday, February 23rd
9am-12pm
Kansas City is home to numerous innovative architecture firms and even more exciting new design projects. On this tour, students will get a behind-the-scenes peek into a recent revitalization project that turned an old bowling alley into a vibrant center for arts + culture, as well as the inside scoop on the work, culture, and office environment of an international A+D firm. Don’t miss this opportunity to pick the brains of some of the most creative people in town!
CAREER PREP WORKSHOP
Friday, February 23rd
12pm – 5:30pm
The Career Prep Workshop is an entire afternoon filled with interactive sessions geared toward prepping students for an internship or job in interior design. Below are the 101 Sessions that will take place upon arrival (lunch will be included during this time). Following these sessions, professionals will join us for a 2-hour Portfolio Review, offering one-on-one critique to students as they present their designs and process. Note: students do NOT need to bring completed or polished portfolios to participate! A portfolio in-progress, or even a past project layout is welcome for critique. At the conclusion of the Portfolio Review, professionals and students are invited to stay for networking with light refreshments!
Designers who Lunch | Now and Next: where we are and where we’re going (LUNCH)
Join a table of your peers and a current industry professional for a round-table discussion on the current state of our industry, what’s next on the horizon and how both perspectives may affect your job hunt. We’ll have some thought + conversation starters, but feel free to bring your own questions for our experts!
Judging a Book by its Cover (1 hour)
Annie Monfort, an Independent Art Director and Brand Strategist, will present key tips and tricks on how to make your portfolio stand out among the crowd. This in-depth session will cover everything from developing a personal brand to choosing the correct fonts, to choosing the right size paper. There will be something for everyone to learn in the content-heavy session!
To Licensing and Beyond! (1 hour)
So you land the job, then what? This session will introduce you to the how and why of NCIDQ testing, as well as professional registration, interior design advocacy, and the state and future of our profession.