In Mahidol University International College’s (MUIC) Communication Design Program (CDP), students are required to compile their artworks in a portfolio in order to demonstrate their level of creativity and thus give future employers the opportunity to assess their eligibility.
In this article, two CDP students discuss the contents of their respective portfolios in the hope that these would inspire not only younger students in the program but also senior high school students who are considering applying for admission in MUIC and CDP.
Mr. Punyapat “Poon” Srichompoo
Mr. Punyapat “Poon” Srichompoo described the contents of his portfolio as comprising “a wide variety of in-class projects and personal experiments conducted outside the classroom, reflecting my interests at the time.” He explained that what influenced his portfolio contents were, namely, the career path he wants to pursue and the artworks that he enjoys creating.
Asked what his dream job is, Punyapat said he wants to be an art director in a fashion brand someday. “I plan to start applying as soon as I am almost finished with my fourth year. I believe my portfolio will play a big part in helping me get noticed by potential employers. It showcases my various skills and my passion for design, which I am confident will appeal to employers and help me secure a position,” he explained.
Digging through his portfolio, Mr. Punyapat said his favorite artwork from my portfolio came from a packaging design class. “At the beginning of the class, I was assigned a stainless steel soap, which is a unique and stylish product, like a cooler version of soap,” he said, adding that, “This project was a perfect fit for me because the object aligned perfectly with my design style. I thrive on creating things that look and feel cool or visually appealing, which is also the reason I was inspired to pursue design in the first place. This assignment allowed me to fully express that part of my creativity, and it remains one of my proudest pieces in my portfolio.”
To the younger batches of CDP students, he has this to say: “Be yourself, be unique, create your own style, and make it work. Don’t push yourself too much. Your mental health and well-being should be your number one priority. Everything will be fine, and pay attention to your portfolio development class.”
Ms. Jatuporn “Sea” Sartpant
On the other hand, Ms. Jatuporn “Sea” Sartpant said she chose branding design as the main focus of her portfolio, explaining that she wants to build a career in this branch of the design industry.
“Logo design, key graphics and other brand elements are part of most of the design work. Most of the art work is usually designed for digital platforms or executed digitally, from corporate identity guidelines, social media advertising to digital billboards. Graphics and vectors are primarily used in the design work,” she explained.
Asked what her favorite artwork in her portfolio is, Jatuporn answered that it is KrungCrepe, an integrated branding project. “I was satisfied with all the graphics and outcomes. This project was started from my own experience in a crepe shop. I found that there were various pain points in the customer experience. Thus, I want to design my own crepe shop brand that can solve all those pain points.”
And this is her advice to the younger CDP students: “If you are still figuring out your style or interest, don’t be too rushed and too stressed out of making a perfect portfolio with magnificent artwork. Trust the process as well as yourself. Trying out various mediums and topics is the best way to explore yourself. Don’t be afraid of comments and revision. It is the steps to elevate your design work to its best! Despite the frustration that you may experience, please remember that you don’t have to take the right step when you are still starting. You still have plenty of time to find the best version of yourself.”
Such reassuring words from two senior CDP students who have discussed their respective art works and the logic and creative process behind them. Each content of their portfolios reflect the reflection, artistic skills, and determination that they have invested. Younger students can take their cue from Punyapat, Jatuporn and (from the previous article) Saahiba.
Are you dreaming of working in the design industry someday? MUIC offers the Communication Design Program to prepare you for a career in this area. To learn more about this program, please click this link: https://muic.mahidol.ac.th/eng/programs/undergraduate-programs/communication-design-and-media-communication/communication-design/
