03. Final Presentation

\\\\ COMPLETED FREELANCE PROJECT

You will need to have successfully completed the freelance project begun at the start of the semester. This includes not only the actual design, but also final production, artwork approval and payment.

  1. You will need to submit a CD or DVD with the following elements:
    1. A copy of your contract (PDF)
    2. Scans of your sketches (150ppi minimum)
    3. Copies of visual research you completed (PDF)
    4. Copies of alternative versions (PDF)
    5. Copy of your midterm presentation (proposal/paper 3) (PPT / PPTX)
    6. A timesheet, outlining the project steps and the amount of time each step took (PDF)
    7. Notes / reflections from your client meetings (PDF)
    8. A copy of your final invoice, signed by the client (PDF)
    9. A scan of the final payment check — must be legible (JPG / PDF)
    10. A press-ready PDF of your final artwork
    11. Copy of your final presentation (PPT / PPTX)
  2. Your CD / DVD must have your name written clearly on it in Sharpie, along with the date and the course title. It must also be turned in in a plastic jewel case.

 

\\\\ PROJECT OUTLINE AND FINAL SOLUTION

At the end of the semester, each student will give a short presentation about our freelance project and experience from the semester. This process will continue making us more comfortable with openly discussing our work and process. This presentation should take no more than 10–15 minutes; at 15 minutes you will be told to stop.

 

  1. Start your talk with a brief introduction. Imagine that you are presenting to people who may not know you personally; this could be your blurb / elevator speech we practiced for our interviews — the ‘Tell me a little about yourself’ question.
  2. Next, introduce the overall scope of the project that you worked on this semester. This will be the section in which you describe who the client is, why you approached them (or why they approached you), what you were hired to do and why you were hired to do it (remember, if a client says they want a new logo, there must be a reason).
  3. Talk about how you chose to approach the project. This is your opportunity to explain your process and should include information about what you researched (and why), examples of sketches or concepts you developed, what the client’s feedback was at this point and any other background information you might feel enhances our understanding of the project. In an interview, these elements would be your opportunity to show that not only are you able to create solid final solutions, but also come up with ideas and listen to feedback
  4. After you have told us about the initial ideas and research, introduce the final solution and briefly describe the overall concept. You should be able to explain how it fulfills the specific needs of the client and why this solution was the best. Remember, that it may not be your favorite solution, but if may be exactly what the client was looking for. That’s okay, and it’s okay to say that, but you still need to be able to explain your choices.
  5. Then, describe 3 things you have learned about the project or process, and 3 challenges you have had, for which you are looking for feedback. These can be related to the work itself or about the process of working with clients as a freelancer.
  6. Finally, outline what your next goals might be. In the spring, we will be required to find two new clients for whom we will be producing paid work. What kinds of clients might you want to try and find?
  7. At this point we will open the floor for 5–10 minutes of discussion about your questions and any feedback your peers may have.

\\\\ REFLECTION

  1. After your presentation and the discussion, you will need to submit a 1-page reflection (double-spaced) that answers the following questions as a PDF:
    • What did you do well during your presentation?
    • What can you improve for your presentations in the spring?
    • What are you going to do to improve your work over the break?

 

///////// WHAT TO SUBMIT

To get credit for this assignment, you will need to submit the following:

  • A disc with all of the documentation elements outlined in section 1, above, submitted promptly at the start of class.
  • A completed PowerPoint presentation, submitted either via email or Dropbox by 5:00pm on the day of the presentation.
  • A 1-page reflection essay (double-spaced) answering the above questions and submitted as a PDF via Blackboard, no later than 5:00pm on the day following your presentation.

 

///////// GRADING :

The assignment will be graded on the following criteria:

  • Quality of your presentation (50 pts — graded by professor and class)
  • Freelance project completed with required materials (40 pts — pass / fail)
  • Reflection essay (5 pts — pass / fail)

 

///////// AUTOMATIC FAILURE

  • Your submission is received after the 5:00pm deadline
  • Work is not complete
  • Presentation is incomplete or missing elements
  • Presentation runs longer than 15 minutes
  • Documentation disc is not in a plastic jewel case
  • Disc does not have name written on it