2026 Emerging Designers' Portfolio Review (Troy)

THE EVENT

The review is open to local art, design, and communication professionals and educators interested in helping our local emerging designers prepare themselves for their professional careers. We welcome a wide range of reviewers from seasoned professionals to those who have successfully landed their first design positions. Why not take a few hours and give back to our local creative community? #payitforward

The review is a chance for emerging designers (students, recent graduates, career switchers, bootcamp graduates, anyone early in their design career) to practice their interviewing skills and get valuable feedback from local professionals about their design work and resume in a no-risk, non-competitive environment geared at preparing them for the professional portfolio presentation process. Participants also have the opportunity to network and share their work with each other.

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?

You will receive objective advice and thoughtful one-on-one commentary and criticism of your design work from local design educators, professional designers, and potential employers. While this event is not a job fair, some reviewers may be looking for potential employees or interns. This event is a great way to discuss your work, fine-tune your presentation skills, network, and become aware of who’s who in your local design community.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

Students and Emerging Designers
The review is open to college seniors, bootcamp graduates, self taught designers switching careers, current MA and MFA candidates, and recent design graduates with less than 5 years of professional experience.

REVIEWERS

The review is open to local art, design, and communication professionals and educators interested in helping our local emerging designers prepare themselves for their professional careers. We welcome a wide range of reviewers from seasoned professionals to those who have successfully landed their first design positions. Why not take a few hours and give back to our local creative community? #payitforward

FREE for Reviewers! Just bring yourself, a good attitude, and constructive feedback.

WHAT TO BRING

Bring 12–15 pieces of your best work from your portfolio, as well as multiple copies of your résumé and business cards. If you plan on showing interactive or rich-media work, please bring a fully-charged laptop or tablet (there are outlets to charge, but not everywhere). Guest WiFi and light snacks will be available.

Questions?

Email Doug Bartow, AIGA UPSTNY, [email protected]. Cheers.

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