Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Curate portfolio with diversity of brief, scale, and medium
3–4 weeks (2–3 hrs/day)
Curate a portfolio of four to six projects demonstrating range across brief type (identity, editorial, campaign, type-led), scale (print, digital, environmental), and approach. For each project write a case study (300–400 words) covering the brief, your design process, key decisions made, and honest evaluation of what succeeded and what you would do differently.
Proof required
Submit your portfolio draft (minimum 20 pages of visual work) and project case studies for each work as a PDF.
What gets checked
- Four to six projects with genuine range across brief type, scale, and approach
- Each case study covers all four elements: brief, process, decisions, and honest evaluation
- Honest evaluation identifies what you would do differently — not only what succeeded
Common mistakes
- Portfolio contains only identity and branding work — no range demonstrated
- Case studies are project descriptions rather than process and decision analysis
- Honest evaluation is absent or superficial — 'overall I'm happy with this project'
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Verify portfolio has genuine range — ask student to name the brief types represented
- Check case studies address all four elements — missing honest evaluation is the most common failure
- Ask student: which project in your portfolio is the weakest, and why is it included? Inability to identify weakness indicates portfolio has not been critically curated
Produce finished portfolio document and prepare panel
1–2 weeks
Produce your final portfolio document (PDF or print portfolio, ready to share) and prepare a structured 20-minute panel presentation. Identify three projects where you made a significant creative decision that could be challenged — and prepare to defend each decision with design reasoning.
Proof required
Submit your final portfolio document (PDF) and preparation notes identifying three challenge points with your prepared defences.
What gets checked
- Portfolio document is complete and print-ready — no placeholder text or incomplete layouts
- Three challenge points target significant creative decisions, not easy wins
- Prepared defences are grounded in design reasoning, not personal preference
Common mistakes
- Challenge points are questions the student has easy answers to — not genuine hard questions
- Portfolio document is 'almost finished' — incomplete at panel time
- Prepared defences are defensive rather than reasoned — 'I liked it' instead of 'this serves the brief because...'
Resources
Foundationstart here
What a verifier looks for
- Check portfolio document is complete — incomplete layouts indicate student is not ready for panel
- Review challenge points — they should target real creative risks in the work
- Ask student to defend one challenge point now — the quality reveals their preparation
Present to external graphic design panel and document challenge
1 week (panel + reflection)
Present your portfolio to a panel of at least two reviewers including one external reviewer with named professional graphic design credentials and one reviewer not involved in your programme. Panel must be minimum 30 minutes with live questioning. Document significant challenges and produce a post-panel reflection (minimum 400 words).
Proof required
Submit: (1) panel session record (date, all reviewers with names and roles, significant challenges — minimum one page), (2) post-panel reflection (minimum 400 words).
What gets checked
- Panel record names all reviewers with professional credentials
- Challenges are documented specifically — not 'the panel asked about my process'
- Post-panel reflection identifies at least two changes to future design practice
Common mistakes
- Panel is internal tutors only — external perspective absent
- Post-panel reflection is a description of the event rather than what it revealed
- Challenges not documented specifically
Resources
Foundationstart here
What a verifier looks for
- Confirm panel included at least one external reviewer with named professional graphic design credentials — not only programme tutors
- Confirm panel included at least one reviewer not involved in the student's programme
- Confirm panel session was live (in-person or video) with date and all panel member names and roles documented
- Check post-panel reflection identifies at least two specific practice changes
- Verify challenges are documented specifically
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