LEARN SOMETHING NEW WITH US THIS WINTER!
Chicago Portfolio School is offering multiple online workshops to help build portfolios in Creative Advertising, Strategy and Design in addition to skill-strengthening classes like Stand Up Comedy and Editorial Typography.
Classes range from 4 weeks to 8 weeks, and consist of both lectures and critiques of weekly assignments. The workshops start the week of January 4th! Last day to sign up is December 30th.
To register, or if you have any questions, reach out to fran@chicagoportfolio.com. Space is limited.
Starting Your Portfolio
Gary Fox Robertson, Freelance Creative Director
Mondays at 6pm — 8 weeks
Cost Is $800
Take a deep dive into solving problems for brands, learn how to change the behavior of consumers, think of big ideas that resonate, and leave with portfolio-worthy creative pieces.
Instructor Gary Fox Robertson (affectionally known as “GFR”) has been a Creative Director for more years than he’d admit, making award-winning campaigns for Nintendo, McDonald’s, Samsung, The Army, Allstate, Commonwealth Edison, etc. His “Sundial” billboard for McDonald’s was inducted into the Clio Hall of Fame.
First class is Monday, January 4th at 6PM CT. Cost is $800.
Editorial Typography
AJ Getz, Design Director at Soulsight Chicago
Mondays at 6pm - 6 weeks
Cost Is $600
Take a 6-week deepdive into editorial typography, type setting and layout. You’ll reconcept and redesign the cover and interior layout of a favorite novel.
Instructor AJ Getz is the Design Director of Soulsight in Chicago, and longtime beloved CPS instructor. He studied design at SCAD, and is incredibly talented at all things type, including hand lettering.
First class is Monday, January 4th at 6:00pm CST. Cost is $600.
Video Storytelling
Tom Sandak, Founder & Creative Director of Believe In Blue Productions
Mondays at 6:00pm - 8 weeks
Cost Is $800
Whether you want to create Instagram stories for a campaign you’ve already developed for your portfolio, create videos targeted at creative directors to get you hired, or shoot and edit a sketch comedy video series, think of this class as a video playground.
Instructor Tom Sandak is the founder and creative director of Believe In Blue Productions, Inc in Syracuse, NY. He’s produced documentary films and television programs, as well as countless branded campaigns. He also has taught video from a creative and technical perspective to high school, college and post-college students.
First class is Monday, January 4th at 6:00pm CST. Cost is $800.
Brand Strategy
Stephanie Kelly, VP Group Director of Strategy at Digitas
Tuesdays at 6pm — 8 weeks
Cost Is $800
This 8-week course will help you improve your skills in market research, cultural analysis, forecasting, and finding insights. You’ll leave with a crafted portfolio piece that shows you can tell a brand story.
Instructor Stephanie Kelly is VP Group Director of Strategy at Digitas. She’s spent the last fourteen years working with clients such as P&G, SC Johnson, John Frieda, Biore, and most recently, KitchenAid.
First class is Tuesday, January 5th at 6:00pm CST! Cost is $800.
Experiential Design
Kim Lindstrom, Founder of Four Four Design
Tuesdays at 6 pm — 8 weeks
Cost Is $800
This workshop teaches the principles of designing graphic elements for a physical space. Reconcept a traditionally online brand into a physical brick and mortar space.
Instructor Kim Lindstrom is the founder of Four Four Design, an agency that brings brands and stories to life using a mix of graphic design, architecture, and digital. She has a Master of Architecture from University of Illinois at Chicago.
First class is Tuesday, January 5th at 6:00pm CST. Cost is $800.
Stand Up Comedy
Michael Alexander, Professional Comedian
Wednesdays at 1pm — 8 weeks
Cost Is $500
This “lunch & learn” workshop is eight weeks long and will cover the history of stand up comedy; writing, and performing. Gain confidence while presenting to a room full of people and learn the art of telling a story through exploring insights.
Instructor Michael Alexander has been a professional comedian for over 30 years. He was a staff writer on the Arsenio Hall Show, Jay Leno, and George Lopez. Michael’s a regular at Zanies Comedy Club in Chicago and has appeared on A&E’s An Evening at the Improv.
First class is Wednesday, January 6th at 1:00pm CST. Cost is $500.
Brief Writing
Byron Morgan, Senior Strategist at Jack Morton Worldwide in Boston
Thursdays at 6pm — 6 weeks
Cost Is $600
Spend 6 weeks learning the research and process behind the brief, and leave with stellar portfolio examples of your strategic thinking.
Instructor Byron Morgan is a Senior Strategist at Jack Morton Worldwide in Boston, and founder of Vinylmint, an online marketplace that connects creatives to a community of over 5,000 award-winning musicians and voice actors.
First class is Thursday, January 7th at 6:00pm CST. Cost is $600.