Launch
Launch
Students will launch the project by exploring authentic examples of professional digital work, practicing core technology routines, and beginning the organizational systems and communication habits they will use throughout the term. They will interact with the school AP and IT team, compare digital tools for real tasks, create first-draft portfolio structures, and complete an early performance checkpoint that establishes readiness for deeper user research in the next phase.
Days 1 - 6
User Insights & Empathy
User Insights & Empathy
Students will gather and interpret real user feedback about technology habits, communication needs, and portfolio expectations, then turn that evidence into empathy artifacts that identify user goals, frustrations, and assumptions worth testing in later phases.
Days 7 - 16
Define Design Brief
Define Design Brief
Students will turn empathy research into a clear, evidence-based design brief for a professional digital portfolio solution. They will synthesize patterns from user data, define target users and constraints, compare tool options, validate assumptions with the school AP or IT staff, and revise their brief through peer and stakeholder feedback before a milestone check.
Days 17 - 26
Generate Multiple Concepts
Generate Multiple Concepts
Students will generate several distinct concepts for a professional, portfolio-ready digital workflow, test those ideas against user needs and project criteria, and select one concept direction backed by evidence, peer feedback, and stakeholder input.
Days 27 - 36
Prototype Test & Iterate
Prototype Test & Iterate
Students will build and test low-fidelity versions of their portfolio systems, communication artifacts, and workflow choices with peers and school-based users. They will use structured feedback, revise across two documented iteration cycles, and strengthen tool selection, collaboration, organization, and professional habits before moving into final polishing.
Days 37 - 45
Showcase
Showcase
Students will exhibit their final digital portfolios and presentation packages for the school AP, IT staff, and peers; complete a professional skills performance task; use audience feedback to make final portfolio updates; and reflect on how their tool choices, communication, organization, and work habits developed across the project.
Days 55 - 60
Launch
Days 1–6
User Insights & Empathy
Days 7–16
Define Design Brief
Days 17–26
Generate Multiple Concepts
Days 27–36
Prototype Test & Iterate
Days 37–45
Polish & Present Portfolio
Days 46–54
Showcase
Days 55–60
July 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
28
Day 2
🗂️ Future-Ready File Quest
🗂️ Future-Ready File Quest
29
Day 3
✉️ Professional Email Moves
✉️ Professional Email Moves
30
Day 4
🧭 Tool Matchup Decision Sort
🧭 Tool Matchup Decision Sort
31
Day 5
📁 Portfolio Folder Blueprint
📁 Portfolio Folder Blueprint
August 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
3
Day 6
🧪 Communication Skills Check
🧪 Communication Skills Check
4
Day 7
User Insights & Empathy
🧭 Portfolio User Research Protocols
🧭 Portfolio User Research Protocols
5
Day 8
✉️ Email and Workflow Pain Points
✉️ Email and Workflow Pain Points
6
Day 9
🎤 IT and AP Listening Session
🎤 IT and AP Listening Session
7
Day 10
🗂️ Student Tech Habit Interviews
🗂️ Student Tech Habit Interviews
10
Day 11
🧩 Affinity Map of User Needs
🧩 Affinity Map of User Needs
11
Day 12
👤 Persona and Workflow Journey
👤 Persona and Workflow Journey
12
Day 13
🔍 Tool Match Decision Sort
🔍 Tool Match Decision Sort
13
Day 14
💬 Empathy Map Feedback Round
💬 Empathy Map Feedback Round
14
Day 15
📝 Research Summary Email Draft
📝 Research Summary Email Draft
17
Day 16
📌 Empathy Artifact Milestone Check
📌 Empathy Artifact Milestone Check
19
Day 18
🎯 How Might We Statements
🎯 How Might We Statements
20
Day 19
🛠️ Google vs Adobe Decision Matrix
🛠️ Google vs Adobe Decision Matrix
21
Day 20
📝 Design Brief Draft in Docs
📝 Design Brief Draft in Docs
24
Day 21
🔍 Design Brief Peer Review
🔍 Design Brief Peer Review
25
Day 22
📧 AP and IT Check-In Emails
📧 AP and IT Check-In Emails
26
Day 23
♻️ Revised Design Brief Sprint
♻️ Revised Design Brief Sprint
27
Day 24
💬 IT Reflection Circle Notes
💬 IT Reflection Circle Notes
28
Day 25
📂 Design Brief Folder Checkpoint
📂 Design Brief Folder Checkpoint
September 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
31
Day 26
✅ Brief Defense Conference
✅ Brief Defense Conference
2
Day 28
🛠️ Tool Matchups Matrix
🛠️ Tool Matchups Matrix
3
Day 29
✏️ Crazy 8 Portfolio Concepts
✏️ Crazy 8 Portfolio Concepts
4
Day 30
🗺️ User Flow Storyboards
🗺️ User Flow Storyboards
7
Day 31
💬 Concept Critique Carousel
💬 Concept Critique Carousel
8
Day 32
📧 Mock Email Scenario Drafts
📧 Mock Email Scenario Drafts
9
Day 33
🎨 Concept Tiles in Adobe Express
🎨 Concept Tiles in Adobe Express
10
Day 34
🧑💼 IT and AP Feedback Round
🧑💼 IT and AP Feedback Round
11
Day 35
📊 Concept Decision Matrix
📊 Concept Decision Matrix
14
Day 36
✅ Concept Pitch Checkpoint
✅ Concept Pitch Checkpoint
16
Day 38
🗂️ Portfolio Flow Prototype Build
🗂️ Portfolio Flow Prototype Build
17
Day 39
✉️ Mock Email Workflow Draft
✉️ Mock Email Workflow Draft
18
Day 40
👥 Peer Usability Round One
👥 Peer Usability Round One
21
Day 41
🔁 Revision Sprint One
🔁 Revision Sprint One
22
Day 42
🛠️ Adobe Layout Fixes
🛠️ Adobe Layout Fixes
23
Day 43
🏫 IT Feedback Circle
🏫 IT Feedback Circle
24
Day 44
🔄 Revision Sprint Two
🔄 Revision Sprint Two
25
Day 45
✅ Prototype Milestone Check
✅ Prototype Milestone Check
28
Day 46
Polish & Present Portfolio
🧭 Share-Ready Portfolio Quality Check
🧭 Share-Ready Portfolio Quality Check
29
Day 47
✉️ Professional Email and Link Delivery
✉️ Professional Email and Link Delivery
30
Day 48
🛠️ Portfolio and Artifact Revision Sprint
🛠️ Portfolio and Artifact Revision Sprint
1
Day 49
👥 AP and IT Validation Walkthrough
👥 AP and IT Validation Walkthrough
2
Day 50
💬 Two-Peer Portfolio Feedback Round
💬 Two-Peer Portfolio Feedback Round
October 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
5
Day 51
🎤 Showcase Deck and Script Build
🎤 Showcase Deck and Script Build
6
Day 52
🔄 Rehearsal and Final Revision Loop
🔄 Rehearsal and Final Revision Loop
7
Day 53
✅ Professional Skills Performance Check
✅ Professional Skills Performance Check
8
Day 54
🪞 IT Reflection Circle Notes
🪞 IT Reflection Circle Notes
12
Day 56
🗂️ Portfolio Link Check Revision
🗂️ Portfolio Link Check Revision
13
Day 57
📬 Professional Skills Performance Task
📬 Professional Skills Performance Task
14
Day 58
🏫 AP and IT Portfolio Showcase
🏫 AP and IT Portfolio Showcase
15
Day 59
🔁 Audience Feedback Portfolio Update
🔁 Audience Feedback Portfolio Update
16
Day 60
🪞 Portfolio Conference Reflection
🪞 Portfolio Conference Reflection