Dear Melissa and Jessica,

Your letters come with similar thoughts almost at the same time, which is an irony of itself, and they both are valuable contributions of your own personalities— and perhaps suggest what others are thinking as well. You are both seeing things very differently—the strength of your imaginations will become your best assets. Your curiosities are the essence of hope.

For those reading this open letter besides Melissa and Jessica, you might like to know it was motivated one, by Melissa Cullen, who herself was prompted to write and thank Brian for the amazing presentation that he …more

The reason for this mammoth smile, this amazing smile you’re looking at, is that this young person has begun living her dream.

Several months ago, during a freezing cold spell…there I was pulled over in the parking lot of Panera, walking around behind my yellow FJ, at 9 pm on a Friday night. I was talking to a creative director about what makes Portfolio Center different and what a student from here is going to be able to offer. In the same breath, I asked that CD to see Audrey, explaining: …talented, yes…a girl who takes no path of least resistance…special …more

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting Northwestern Louisiana State University, where I judged the student show and made a presentation to the Fine and Graphic Arts Program.

What a great bunch of people! It was really inspiring to see so much happening in a small school off the beaten path—smart and driven students, involved and motivated instructors, wonder and curiosity in abundance, everyone with sparkles in their eyes. It reminded me of Portfolio Center.

It also reminded me that there are lots of young people out there hungry for what this industry has to offer. They’re …more

The 2008 Art Directors Club National Student Portfolio Review was held on the 5th and 6th in New York City. 200 of the most promising graduates were selected from the most respected advertising and design schools in the country, and we, of course, are one.

For two full days, seasoned professionals came from coast-to-coast—representatives from packaging firms, corporate ID firms, publication corporations, magazines, environmental firms, advertising agencies, design firms, interactive firms, retail firms, and world wide global branding firms, along with all sorts of other media and communications firms: Cliff Freeman, Goodby Silverstein, Modernista, Martha Stewart, the New York Times, Taxi, …more

What do companies like Ogilvy & Mather, Martha Stewart, The New York Times, Microsoft, McCann, Jackson Fish Market, Carbone Smolan, Frog Design, Blue Marlin, BBDO, Landor, RGA, Avenue Razorfish, AKQA, Interbrand, and Nike all have in common? Five, ten, fifteen years of some of the fabulous alumni below, who have come out in full force over the last two days to support Portfolio Center students while they are in NYC showing their work. Some amazing people and alumni—all leaders in their firms—once again proving that the value of a Portfolio Center education is the tremendous future opportunities for doing great work …more