Work hard.
Play nice.™
Minerva is the two-year portfolio program in advertising at the University of Alabama. Students concentrate in art direction or copywriting and work as creative teams to build a competitive portfolio packed with conceptually compelling and strategically sound campaigns while earning their undergraduate (BA) or graduate (MA) degree in advertising.
Portfolios
Morgan Brooks
Art Direction / 2024
Rachel Fields
Art Direction / 2024
Juliana LaPorta
Art Direction / 2024
Katelyn Roberts
Art Direction / 2024
Riley Cleave
Copywriting / 2024
Leah Fletcher
copywriting / 2024
Megan Johnson
copywriting / 2024
Meagan Riordan
Art Direction / 2024
Ella Channing Romine
copywriting / 2024
Bridgette Hahn
Art Direction / 2024
Rachel Narbo
copywriting / 2024
Laney Hulsey
Copywriting / 2024
Johanna Chavez
Copywriting / 2024
Izzy Hernandez
Art Direction / 2024
Adam Philippe
Art Direction / 2024
Falcon Wiles
Copywriting / 2024
Ally Engleman
Art Direction / 2024
Hill Jones
Art Direction / 2024
Elle Prendergast
Copywriting / 2024
Natalie Ferrara
Copywriting / 2024
Sami Kate Kickert
Art Direction / 2024
Kayla Roberson
Copywriting / 2024
Alumni
Minerva alumni are out there making work that makes an impact for some of the most respected agencies in the world. Click here for the complete list of names of our former students.
Credits: Elizabeth Swartz (CW, 2018), Charlotte Frank (AD, 2018), Emeline Earman (AD, 2019), MK Holladay (CW, 2019), Larissa Magera (CW, 2017), Alisha Branch (AD, 2018), Ramsey Chandler (AD, 2020), Mary Buzbee (CW, 2018), Lauren Meadows (AD, 2018), Walker Bowen (CW, 2018), McKenzie Woodall (CW, 2021)
… just to name a few.
Curriculum
Minerva classes are a unique experience. There’s nothing to memorize, no exams, and graded assignments are few and far between. That’s not to say building a killer-diller portfolio is easy—quite the contrary. Classes are dedicated to critiquing the work completed between classes. Required supplies include a superior work ethic, an open mind, thick skin, and a well-blended mixture of confidence and humility in equal parts.
Semester One (Fall)
Concepting, APR310
In the early stages of the program, software knowledge (or lack thereof) can limit a student’s ability to explore really big ideas. So, we keep things analog and generate hundreds and hundreds of thumbnails. (Sharpies fear us.) Students work individually to build their conceptual thinking skills and learning to give and receive critical feedback. It’s not until the final weeks of the first semester that we transition from ideation to execution. And even then, we hand-render our campaigns in order to further develop our work ethic and appreciation for craft.
Semester Two - Spring
Portfolio I (APR410)
Students work in art director/copywriter teams to develop three strategically sound and conceptually compelling advertising campaigns. By the end of this class, students should have three fully executed, portfolio-worthy campaigns. Work is reviewed by a jury of creative professionals at an end-of-semester critique.
– and, either –
Copywriting Seminar (APR322)
Aspiring copywriters explore the craft across a variety of genres. Students gain an understanding of the power of words and the use of distinctive voices, with implications for strategic advertising copywriting.
– or –
Art Direction Seminar (APR323) and Software Applications II (APR301)
The Art Direction Seminar examines formal graphic design principles and their application in advertising via lectures, reading assignments, and projects. Topics include color theory, typography, and layout, as well as applied skills associated with an art director’s daily work.
Software Applications II provides intermediate-level training for aspiring art directors in the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) as well as video editing, web and mobile app development, and animation.
Semester Three - Fall
Portfolio II (APR411)
Students work toward professional-level execution of a complete advertising portfolio reflecting mastery of strategic and conceptual thinking. Each creative team’s work is both prepared and evaluated according to the highest industry standards and reviewed by a jury of creative professionals at an end-of-semester critique.
– and, for art directors –
Software Applications III (APR401)
Provides advanced-level training for aspiring art directors in the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) as well as video editing, web and mobile app development, and animation.
Semester Four - Spring
Portfolio III (APR412)
Students work as part of a creative team in this workshop course creating work to compete in national or international creative competitions while continuing to develop professional-level advertising campaigns for inclusion in their creative portfolios. The work completed in this class will reflect a mastery of strategic and conceptual thinking. Each creative team’s work is prepared and evaluated according to the highest industry standards and reviewed by a jury of creative professionals at an end-of-semester critique. Students are also further advised regarding job search strategies and personal branding.
Applications
Students from any major can apply. If accepted, however, students must be (or become) an advertising major to participate.
The application window opens once a year, just before spring break. During that time, applications can be found in Reese Phifer, 234.
The application consists of a single, open-ended big question. For example, last year’s question was, “Where’d they go?”
