Developing and Maintaining a Design-Tech Portfolio

Rafael Jaen has a vast experience in portfolio development and has been presenting workshops on this subject matter for the last 10 years –his audiences have included high-school students, undergraduate students, teachers and professionals in the field.

He was originally an architecture student in the Universidad Central de Venezuela (his country of origin), there he began his interest in theater and portfolios in 1978 while working with small theater groups. Eventually, he entered his design work in a competition and won a scholarship to study Theatrical Design in the USA. He applied to New York University and was accepted after a successful portfolio review--even though he didn’t speak English yet! While in school, Mr. Jaen worked as a designer and assistant designer for different companies. His mentors (Broadway Designers/ Technicians) showed him the importance of marketing and showcasing the designer’s work in a comprehensive portfolio and with resumes and business cards.

After graduation in the 80’s Mr. Jaen worked as Design Associate and Costume Designer for different costume houses and companies in the USA and other countries. He also ran a successful Fashion business dedicated to haute couture--bridal and tailoring. For it, he developed different portfolio-books showcasing design styles with cut sheets and fabric swatches.

In the 90’s he began a fruitful collaboration with Emerson College, developing a very successful costume program. Eventually, because of his impressive portfolio, he was offered a position as Emerson Stage’s Resident Costume Designer. He started to teach at Emerson College and became the Costume Area Head. While at Emerson he developed a series of portfolio workshops to assist undergraduate students apply to graduate school. He has expanded on these workshops and has been presenting them in various conferences (all over the country) including the USITT Annual Conference & Stage Expo.