Assessments

Portfolio Review

After being admitted to the University, new students are required to submit a portfolio of their work. Students are expected to exhibit growth, dedication and maturation while enrolled in the GAND program. These traits are especially important during the first year in the program. Student growth, dedication, and artistic maturation is gauged via five portfolio assessments. Each year all graphic and animation design students will be assessed, based on their work and presentation of their work in the portfolio assessment.

There are five mandatory portfolio assessments as explained below.

Mandatory Portfolio Assessments

As a graduation requirement, all students must participate in, and pass each of the five levels of the GAND portfolio assessments. At each of the five assessment levels, students must present work that is predetermined by the faculty. The assessment evaluations are scored as either pass, no pass, or conditional no pass.

Evaluation scores explained:

• A pass permits the student to progress to the next level and continue to take GAND classes.
• A conditional no pass is granted only if the assessing faculty members believe the problems with the work can be improved in the remaining weeks before the end of the semester. If a conditional no-pass is granted, the student will be reassessed. The student will be informed as to what must be improved, and a date and time for the reassessment will be set. The reassessment will take place within the remaining weeks before the end of the semester and by the original assessors.
• A no pass stops the students from advancing to the next level in the GAND programs. Only one no-pass assessment is permitted.

A second no-pass results in the student losing the opportunity to major in GAND. Any student receiving a no-pass in an assessment must wait one year before that student is eligible to be reassessed.

• A common rubric is used by all Graphic and Animation Design faculty (pdf)

The assessment rubric is included in every course syllabus, and the rubric is reviewed by each GAND faculty every semester. However, we strongly suggest students download and read the assessment rubric to become familiar with what is assessed. Please address any questions to your GAND faculty advisor.

Five Core Competencies

Portfolio assessments are based on where the student is in the program. The student and his or her work are assessed on of five core competencies (see below). Depending upon when the student entered the program, his or her assessment will take place either prior to Spring Break or just after Fall Break.

• Communication Skills: Develop and employ the ability to write and speak about art, design and art history with clarity and logic, and be able to form and support critical judgments about art, design and art history.
• Formal and Technical Skill: Acquire and demonstrate technical mastery of the relevant materials and tools, and the terminology, theories, and practices relevant to the student’s field of study.
• Conceptual Skills: Develop and demonstrate the ability to generate, support, and utilize individual thoughts and ideas.
• Critical Thinking and Research Skills: Develop and demonstrate the ability to do research in art design, art history, and the competence and knowledge to analyze and think critically.
• Historical and Contemporary Relevance: Acquire and utilize an expanding knowledge of historical achievements and contemporary thinking, trends, processes, and issues in art and design.

Students are responsible for preparation of work and signing up on time. They will be notified through Canvas, emails, and postings in the Bedford Building.

Mandatory Zero-credit classes

Each student must register for the appropriate zero-credit class for each level of assessment. The zero-credit classes are used to prevent students who have received a no-pass for an assessment from advancing to the next level in the DSAM program. Since the class is zero credit, it does not affect the student’s GPA. Each student will register for the appropriate zero-credit class when they register for classes in each of their assessment semesters. Beginning with the Third-year Assessment, students will register for the appropriate section of the zero-credit class in their area of study; either Brand, Identity, Media Design or Animation, Simulation and Time-Based Media Design.  

Zero-credit Class Schedule

GAND 100 - First-year Assessment
GAND 200 - Second-year Assessment
GAND 300 - Third-year Assessment - choose the section specific to the student’s area of study. Participation in the Junior Show is mandatory to pass Third-year Assessment.
GAND 350 - Fourth-year Assessment - choose the section specific to the student’s area of study.
GAND 400 - Senior Project Final Assessment - choose the section specific to the student’s area of study. Participation in the Senior Show is mandatory to pass Senior Assessment.

Portfolio Assessment requirements

The five levels of assessment progress as follows:

1. First-year Portfolio Assessment – Six to eight projects from the student’s first year GAND courses— GAND 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 204—are assessed. Projects will be selected by the professors. A list of the projects will be found on the assessment sign-up sheet, as well as communicated in design and animation classes well in advance of assessments. A case study of a selected project is the required written assignment. Each assessing professor must receive a printed copy.
2. Second-year Portfolio Assessment – Five to seven projects from the student’s second-year GAND courses are assessed. Projects will be selected by the professors. A list of the projects will be found on the assessment sign-up sheet, as well as communicated in design and animation classes well in advance of assessments. A résumé and creative brief, including a Problem as Given; Problem as Understood statements are the required written assignments. Each assessing professor must receive a printed copy.
3. Third-year Portfolio Assessment – The focus of this assessment is the evaluation of the student’s Senior Project Proposal, although additional work from the student’s third-year GAND courses is assessed. Participation in the Junior Show is mandatory to pass Third-year Assessment. Three written proposals, containing hypothesis statements, research citations, a need/want rubrics, a call-to-action statement, a S.W.O.T analysis, and a commitment statement are required. A package explaining the above will be given to each junior in order to prepare his/her proposal dossiers. Each assessing professor must receive a printed and jacketed copy.
4. Senior Project Mid-Assessment – The focus of this assessment is the evaluation of the student’s Senior Project at its mid-point
5. Senior Project Final Assessment – The focus of this assessment is the evaluation of the student’s completed Senior Project. Participation in the Senior Show is mandatory to pass Senior Assessment.

Senior Project Planners

They are designed to help keep students on track as they navigate the Senior Project path. There are two versions: one for May graduates and one for December graduates. Make sure to download the correct version.

• Senior Project Planner for students planning to graduate in May (pdf)

• Senior Project Planner for students planning to graduate in December (pdf)

You will find our handy Graphic and Animation Design Assessment and Professional Presentation Standards helpful as you prepare for assessments and the junior show.

• Graphic and Animation Design Assessment and Professional Presentation Standards

Mandatory Participation in Junior Show

As a condition for passing the Third-year Portfolio Assessment, all Graphic and Animation Design majors must exhibit work in the annual Junior Show.

Mandatory Participation in Senior Show

As a condition for graduation, all Graphic and Animation Design seniors must exhibit their Senior Project at the annual Senior Show.