ART 523 / 523S | Illustration Portfolio | SUMMER 2026 

Visiting Assist Professor Jime Wimmer
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ART 523: Illustration Portfolio |  4 Credits
Students will continue to study a variety of contemporary children's book media and illustrators, with advanced techniques demonstrated to the class. Students will further develop characters, improve environments, compose narratives, and design with color to build effective storytelling concepts — applying these concepts in their chosen medium for a professional portfolio. Additional topics include business, networking, and social media/website presentation. Class time will include PowerPoint presentations, in-class demonstrations, book and resource reviews, critique, and discussion.
ART 523S: Illustration Portfolio Studio |  2 Credits
Studio time will emphasize hands-on exposure to more advanced approaches to image-making. Students will focus on their medium of choice and create three to four finished illustrations for a professional portfolio for print and web, as well as design a professional postcard and business card (or additional leave-behinds) to showcase their best printed work in final exhibition format.
                       
COURSE MODALITY: This course (9am-Noon and 2-5pm, with Lunch break in between) meets on Zoom for 4 weeks and then in person on campus for the last 2. 
                      
Instructor Information:                 
Reading List: 
COURSE DESCRIPTION & PHILOSOPHY FROM INSTRUCTOR 
 This class is to elevate your work to a higher execution, develop the critical skills to self-evaluate your current body of work*, analyze new processes for creative ideation, explore networking and professionalism strategies, develop new portfolio pieces, and be ready to submit your professional best self to the world with a plan and confidence to grow. (*Bring your past work and past book dummies.)
 
Throughout this course, there will be various presentations, discussions, critiques, checkpoints, and demonstrations. Online weeks will be delivered via Zoom. I use traditional materials and Photoshop for Ideation and clean-up, and InDesign for Layout. Occasionally, I use digital for full illustration. You may use what you are comfortable with. You will be provided a set of Photoshop Brushes that also work in Procreate or Art Studio Pro. Each exercise that is offered and requested for critique is to improve your children’s book portfolio and filter into your dummy through examination and revisions. Invest in a web camera, microphone, and efficient lighting for your workspace.
 
Plan to bring your preferred art-making materials to campus when we meet in person for the final artwork rendering, where I will assist with execution and techniques. We will have several opportunities where folks may share their experiences with materials and techniques with the group.
 
"I am a believer in organization and preparation, which leads to confidence and professionalism! Think: 'Land the jet plane smoothly, do not crash it into the ground.' Above all, ask questions! I'm here to help YOU make YOUR work PEAK!"


WHEN ON CAMPUS: 
Bring your own supplies, such as papers, colored pencils, markers, paints, brushes, Xacto knife, Artist’s tape, metal rulers, scissors, erasers, or any other favorite tools. Bring a backing board, such as Foam or Gator, to tape your work to if working traditionally. Plan to have your originals, leave-behinds, and a physical portfolio with printed images of your best work on display at the final exhibit. You may also have your website displayed on a digital device or just a printout of its homepage.
 
PRINTER/SCANNERS:
There will be a required fee per student for use of the printers and scanners. This is an average fee charged to every student in every class to cover the cost of ink and paper through the summer semester. 
 
PRINTER DRIVERS: Follow the links below to download the drivers for the available printers and scanners on Campus. There will also be 2 imacs hooked up.  
ABOUT AI: 
Please remember that all work submitted for assignments must be your own and must include the appropriate citation of sources. Cheating and plagiarism are violations of the Hollins Honor Code (see page 14 of the 2024-2025 Student Handbook). This includes submission of material from published work and material found on the internet without sufficient citation, submission of papers for purchase, and/or the use of ChatGPT and other AI-generated text without citation. Students who engage in cheating or plagiarism will be directed to the Honor Court. As your professor, I will guide you in using it appropriately and ethically for the course and in context.
  
ADDITIONAL HOLLINS UNIVERSITY INFO 
HOLLINS PHILOSOPHY: Hollins is a campus that embraces diversity, values inclusivity, and encourages conversations and actions to bring our community closer together while fostering a deeper cultural understanding of experiences outside of our own. Our goal is for every student to feel welcomed, valued, and safe to express their truest selves while on campus and beyond.
  1. The Professor retains the right to adjust the syllabus provided and will notify all student in writing to such changes. 
  2. Out of courtesy to your fellow classmates, please refrain from using any strong fragrances or eating any odiferous food in our classroom and with discretion on Zoom.
  3. If you have a disability or some other factor that will make meeting class requirements challenging, please let your instructor know so that we can help make accommodations. 
  4. Our students come from many different backgrounds and have various learning needs. Hollins strives to meet students where they are on their academic journey, hence, additional course expectations and challenges are available for students who can rise to meet them. 
 
Academic Support and Tutoring 
Hollins faculty and staff are committed to providing all students with the academic support they need. Many types of learning support are available inside and outside of class. You are always welcome to talk with me or with your academic advisor if you are comfortable doing so. Other options include success coaches and peer tutors, both available in the library on the first floor. Success coaches are available to assist in a variety of ways, both academic and otherwise. Working with a peer tutor is a great way to maximize your learning and your success in writing, math, and assignments for other subjects. You can easily schedule an appointment at Hollins University Tutoring or drop in during opening hours.
The Green | An Integrative Learning Commons, on the first floor of the library, is where you’ll find success coaches, peer tutors and additional resources: Career and Life Design; the Global Learning Hub; HU Connect, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging programs and International Student Engagement Programs. The Green includes the Center for Learning Excellence (CLE), which houses the peer tutors and other learning supports. Other offices of Student Success, Well-being, and Belonging are located on the second and third floors of the library. These include Student Accessibility Services, the Student Success Coordinator, and the Chief Title IX Officer.
 
Accessibility and Accommodations [or Access and Equity] 
Hollins affirms that students are entitled to an equitable learning environment that fosters their agency, develops their capacity for self-advocacy, and is free of unfair and exclusionary practices. For accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services at [email protected], or find more information and submit an online inquiry on the Learning Accommodations page.  Student Accessibility Services works with students to develop individualized support services, including reasonable accommodations that facilitate access to learning, living, and other experiences at Hollins.
 
Mental Health and Wellness
Emotional and mental well-being is essential for academic success. I recognize that college students can experience mental health challenges that make learning difficult. You may be experiencing life stressors such as increased anxiety, feeling down or overwhelmed, strained relationships, suffering a loss, or dealing with a personal struggle. If you have or a friend has difficulties that are interfering with your academic or personal success, please know that helpful, effective, and confidential resources are available at Hollins. For mental health assistance contact:
Hollins University Health & Counseling Services at 540-362-6444 or [email protected]. Appointments for face-to-face and video counseling are available. Health & Counseling Services will assess and may refer students to other, off-campus providers based on your individual mental health needs.
  • Student Assistance Program (MYgroup) at 800-633-3353. The Student Assistance Program provides free, confidential help for personal, academic, work-related, financial, and family concerns. Help is available 24/7/365 via face-to-face, telephonic, and video counseling. 
  • Resources for coping with anxiety can also be found at the Hollins Anxiety Toolbox site.
  • JED Campus Get Help Now: Text “Start” to 741-741 or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
  • Blue Ridge Behavioral Health: 24-Hour Crisis Services 540-981-9351 
  • CONNECT – Carilion Clinic: 540-981-8181 or 1-800-284-8898
  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Text 988 to be routed to the National Suicide Prevention Line
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 and
  •  SARA Roanoke: 540-345-7273

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TITLE IX
Hollins University’s Title IX Policy defines specific employees of the institution as “individuals with authority:” Harassment Grievance Board officers, the President, vice presidents, Housing and Residence Life staff (including Community Assistants), Campus Security staff, and Human Resources staff. This designation is guided by federal law and requires these employees to report information regarding students who may have experienced sexual harassment, harassment, bullying, gender-based harassment, sexual violence, dating/intimate partner violence, and stalking covered under Title IX to the university’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Tiffany Hinton, at [email protected] or by submitting an incident report via https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?HollinsUniv. This includes information shared with individuals with authority in any manner, including, but not limited to, in-person communications, electronic communications, and class assignments. 
Sexual harassment under Title IX means conduct on the basis of sex (including gender identity and sexual misconduct) and sexual orientation that satisfies one or more of the following:
1.     An employee of the university conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the university on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (“quid pro quo” or “this for that”); 
2.    Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the recipient’s education program or activity; or
3.    Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking as defined by federal law.
4.    Once an individual with authority reports a Title IX sexual harassment situation to the Title IX Coordinator, the Title IX Coordinator is then legally required to contact students with resources and options and determine next steps. 
Information regarding sexual harassment, bullying, gender-based harassment, sexual violence, dating/intimate partner violence, and stalking is confidential to the fullest extent possible. Additional information regarding Hollins University Title IX policy including resources can be found at https://www.hollins.edu/about-hollins/commitment-to-dei/harassment-grievance-processes-including-title-ix/
 
Hollins Honor Code 
The basis of life at Hollins is honor and trust. The Honor Code, which embodies these ideals, applies to and must be upheld by all members of the Hollins community. Students, in a symbolic commitment to live by the Code, sign an Honor Pledge during their first six weeks at Hollins. 
 
Honor Code Pledge 
I pledge to conduct myself in an honorable and trustworthy manner at Hollins University by not lying, stealing, or cheating. I understand that my responsibilities to the Honor System are as follows when an honor offense occurs. I will: 
a. report myself to the Honor Court; and/or 
b. ask another to report herself or himself for an offense; and/or 
c. report the violation to the Honor Court if the student does not do so. 
I, _____________________________, place myself under the Honor System of Hollins University. I understand that a plea of ignorance will not excuse me in the matter. I also understand that I am subject to prosecution should I fail to report a violation. 
 
Contacts for Help at Hollins If you need to know who to talk to about advising, registration, drop/add, financial aid, or other matters please consult: Who do I contact? – Learning Resources at Hollins University (Student Handbook, pp. 4-7)

EMERGENCIES
Hollins University uses Omnilert to provide alert notifications related to inclement weather events or campus emergencies. Active students and employees may choose to receive notifications by SMS text message, email, voice message, and/or the Omnilert app, which is available on mobile devices and computers. But students do need to sign up at: https://myhollins.sharepoint.com/sites/CampusSecurity/SitePages/Alert-Notifications.aspx
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