New graduates applying for a job would usually send their resumes to job recruiters and potential employers. For graduates of the Communication Design Program (CDP) of Mahidol University International College (MUIC), there is one more crucial item that should be included – their portfolio.
CDP students are required to compile their best works in a portfolio. According to the CDP portfolio requirement (issued in 2022), a portfolio is “a collection of one’s own creative accomplishments and a reflection of the owner’s attitude towards future study.”
The process starts even before students are admitted to the program. Dr. Dynaya Bhutipunthu, a faculty member of CDP, said senior high school students who want to apply to CDP must also submit their respective portfolios. Applicants would then attend a portfolio interview session in order to determine their eligibility for the program.
As students are accepted in the Communication Design Program, they continue adding entries into their growing portfolio until they graduate. Dr. Dynaya emphasized that “works in the portfolio should showcase the owner’s creative and conceptual thinking which transform vividly into the selected works.”
Based on the CDP portfolio requirement, she added that the CDP portfolio covers works in these executions/platforms, namely, two-dimensional works, digital, computer-generated, hands-on technique productions, drawing, painting, and three-dimensional work, such as sculptures, packaging design, or models.
And to demonstrate how important the portfolio is to a CDP student, three senior students were interviewed for this two-part article and were asked to share some of the contents of their portfolio, what influenced them, and their thoughts on how their portfolios can help them in their future careers.
Ms. Saahiba “Sasha” Phongsinghwithaya, who describes herself as “a playful, adventurous and fun person,” said she has a diverse array of design categories in her portfolio.
“My portfolio features seven contents, each showcasing a different aspect of my creative abilities,” she said. “I have divided my categories by areas of designs I am good at, like branding, package design, EGD, typeface, and character design. I have created unique brand identities, like a brand for dog’s gelato, and collaboration with major brands such as Pepsi on package designs. In Environmental Graphic Design, I've created immersive spaces for activities like surf skating. I've also created character design to raise awareness about depression. For the UX/UI design, I created a platform to help users choose what to eat easily.” She added, “Throughout my work, I focus on cohesive brand identities, editorials and prints. The art medium that I use most of the time is graphic design and typography.”
Asked what her criteria are for her portfolio contents, Sasha replied, “What I include in my portfolio are based on what I love doing and what I'm really good at. This way, viewers can see my best work and where my passion lies.”
Among her works, her favorite piece is a campaign design I worked on in collaboration with Siriraj Hospital. “This project holds a special place in my heart as it focuses on supporting individuals dealing with depression,” she explained. “Inspired by a desire to create meaningful and empathetic design solutions, I crafted a set of characters representing different emotions to help patients connect with these characters. These characters areas featured across various mediums, including self-journals, hospital posters, brochures, and other merchandises. The inspiration for this project stemmed from a deep-seated commitment to making a positive impact on mental health care and supporting those in who need help.”
Regarding the benefits of having an impressive portfolio, Sasha said it helped her get internships because it showed her skills and design abilities. “It lets employers see what I'm capable of and gave them a good sense of my identity as a designer. With a variety of designs on display, it proved I could handle different types of projects well. This reassured employers that I could excel in various internship roles. Overall, my portfolio helped me stand out from the crowd and prove my worth as a candidate.”
Sasha said she aspires to be an entrepreneur in the long run: “to start my own business and create a brand that reflects my design philosophy and creativity.” In the meantime, to prepare her for that ultimate career dream, she is “searching for a job to gain more industry experience and insights, which will help me achieve my long-term goals.”
She shares these tips with younger CDP students: “My advice to younger CDP students preparing their portfolios is to include work that truly reflects who they are, not just their best pieces. Showcasing your unique style, personality, and creative approach will help potential employers or clients understand what makes you stand out as a designer. This authenticity can be just as important as technical skill in making a memorable impression.”
(To be continued)
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/
