2025 Portfolio Review

Careers involving a creative role are highly competitive. Get an edge on the hiring game by having professionals look at your portfolio and give you valuable feedback. This event is ideal for students and young professionals looking to get their portfolios interview ready.

In partnership with MSU, AAF: Lansing will be hosting a Portfolio Review at the MSU Student Services Building.

April 3rd, 2025

6:30 PM-9:30 PM

MSU Student Services Building

Room 113 - Presentation Suite

Portfolios are not limited to a certain type. If you are in a creative field, you are welcome to attend! We will have professionals with a variety of backgrounds to give multiple perspectives.

• Graphic design

• Illustration

• Marketing

• Advertising

• Public Relations

• Photography

• Videography

• Web design

• Copywriting

Students who sign up are expected to attend their designated time slot(s). 

MEET THE PROFESSIONALS

Note: As new reviewers sign up to participate they will be added to the list.

Allie Siarto

• Title: Photographer / Professor of Practice for MSU's Advertising and PR Department

• Company: Allie Siarto & Co Photography / Michigan State University

• Bio: Allie Siarto is a professor of practice for MSU's Advertising and PR Department. After working for Edelman Public Relations in Chicago, Allie started her own boutique agency focused on social media listening and research, working with global brands like Wrigley, New Balance, PF Chang's, Radio Flyer, and Mini Cooper. She later moved into commercial photography, helping brands to create product and marketing imagery.

• Areas of expertise: Photography, Public Relations, Social Media

Angelique DuPhene

• Title: Creative Director & Chief Operating Officer

• Company: InVerve Marketing

• Bio: A graduate of Grand Valley State University, Angelique was brought up in the corporate world working for many years at Meijer Corporate with every major brand in the store from Apple to Disney to Kraft. Today she runs the day to day operations at InVerve Marketing, where she also acts as the creative director, and in a pinch steps in for graphic design, photography and really any services the clients may need.

• Areas of expertise: Graphic Design, Web Design, Video, Photography, Advertising, Marketing

Bear Nelson

• Title: Graphic Designer

• Company: Ciesa Design

• Bio: Bear is a graphic designer at Ciesa Design in Lansing, MI. Since graduating from MSU in 2022 he has been able to play a fun assortment of different roles within the advertising space.

• Areas of expertise: Graphic Design, Advertising

Bill Fischer

• Title: Principle

• Company: I-See-U

• Bio: Bill Fischer is professor emeritus and founder of the Digital Art & Design program at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. He is the author of the I-See-U blueprint for Inclusive, Socio-Emotional, Entertaining, and Universal design. He was the executive producer for The EPIC Project (Engaging Production Inspiring Classrooms) an ongoing collaboration with faculty, K12 educators, and field experts that build and test digital media products focused on inclusion and innovation. He's designed toys, buildings, automotive interiors, animated, printed, and interactive media for over 30 years.

• Areas of Expertise: Digital & interactive media, design

Brianne Witt

• Title: Assistant Professor of Studio Art and Gallery Director for Ganton Art Gallery

• Company:  Spring Arbor University

• Bio: Brianne has been teaching drawing and painting at Spring Arbor University for nine years. She works in a variety of mediums from traditional to digital and outside of teaching does commission portraits and illustration work. Her historical illustrations have been published in multiple books, magazines, and are on three different historical markers around Jackson, Michigan. In the next academic year, she will be taking over the typography and beginning graphic design courses at Spring Arbor University.

• Areas of expertise: Illustration, Graphic Design

Chad Bennett

• Title: Visual Design Instructor

• Company: Lansing Community College

• Bio: I’ve been a visual design instructor at LCC for twenty years and MSU for a couple of years. I’ve taught graphic design, web design, animation, 3D, 2D, traditional drawing, etc. Previously, I was a freelance graphic designer and fine artist (several gallery shows). Before that, I worked in the corporate world as an architect in both Lansing and Detroit, often focusing on marketing and visual standards in addition to architectural design. I have both the professional experience and ability to communicate ideas to fellow designers. 

• Areas of Expertise: Graphic design, web design, animation, marketing

Elizabeth McKerr

• Title: Graphic Designer

• Company: WIELAND

• Bio: After graduating from school with a BFA in Graphic Design and Graphic Communication I worked at an agency for 4 years. For the past 7 years I have been doing the internal branding for a construction management company in the Lansing area. Internal branding is what I love to do and I very much enjoy the career path that I am on.

• Areas of expertise: Graphic Design

Hilary Edwards

• Title: Director of Creative Strategy

• Company: Piper & Gold

• Bio: Hilary Edwards is a creative strategist who combines artistic vision with strategic thinking to craft impactful visual stories. As the Director of Creative Strategy at Piper & Gold Public Relations, she excels in branding, marketing and social media strategies. Hilary has spearheaded high-profile projects, including Michigan State University (MSU) Athletics' season ticket materials, gaining national exposure and reaching hundreds of thousands of fans. She also played a key role in planning and promoting the grand opening of ATESTEO North America in East Lansing, Michigan, an event attended by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, that reached an audience of 457 million through media coverage, social media, and strategic partnerships.

• Areas of Expertise: Branding, marketing, social media strategies, public relations

John Addis

• Title: CEO & Chief Strategist

• Company: Addis Enterprises

• Bio: John K. Addis has tackled more than 500 unique projects for businesses, organizations, and individuals. His work has been discussed and highlighted in local and national press, including CBS News, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and even parodied on The Tonight Show. A former graphic and web design instructor, Addis has personally won awards in categories as diverse as web design, video production, photography, logo design, campaign development, writing, and original music composition. Addis is the owner of Addis Enterprises, a 20-person design & marketing firm in Lansing, Michigan, which was founded out of his Michigan State University dorm room in 1998, and currently serves as Lt. Governor of District 6 of the American Advertising Federation.

• Areas of expertise:  Web Design, Video, Photography, Copywriting, Graphic Design, Advertising

Matthew Simonis

• Title: Director of Video

• Company: Michigan Creative

• Bio:  With over a decade of experience in video production and post-production, I've worked across local TV, advertising, short films, and live video, refining my skills in crafting engaging visual content. As the Director of Video at Michigan Creative, I lead the creative vision for each project—overseeing the production process, directing shoots, and developing fresh storytelling strategies for our clients. I'm passionate about the power of visual storytelling and believe that every detail, no matter how small, plays a crucial role in bringing a narrative to life.

• Areas of Expertise: Video

MEMBERSHIP & REGISTRATION

This event is open to AAF: Lansing members (Not a member? Sign up here first). Registration is required to participate. Registration ends March 26th. Time slots to sign up for specific professionals will be sent out to all registrants on March 28th.

PARKING

The closest on-campus parking ramp to the building is Ramp 6 located here: https://maps.msu.edu/interactive/index.php?location=0222

Alternatively, the closest off-campus parking is in East Lansing, in the Bailey Street Garage, directly across Grand River from Campus (126 Bailey St. East Lansing, MI 48823): https://maps.app.goo.gl/GJdQT53cQqW32oUS9; Parking requires payment in this lot until 3 am. 

BUILDING ACCESS

Room 113 is located on the Main Floor of the building. This building is keycard access at all times, with the exception of the front doors located off East Circle Drive, directly across from the Broad Art Museum (pictured above). After 6, you will need to be let into the building - we will be on hand to help with this. There are several entrances, but all are locked after 6pm. Reviewers can plan to enter through the entrance on the East Side off Farm Lane - an AAF representative will be standing by to let participants into the building. Call Angelique DuPhene if you have difficulty entering the building (248-890-2650). MSU students can use their student IDs to enter the building.