Student TA – ART-450 Portfolio (Samuels), F26

Digipen; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

DigiPen Institute of Technology is seeking a highly organized Teaching Assistant to support the ART-450 Portfolio course for DigiPen students. The TA will help manage assignments, track submissions, and provide feedback to help students refine their portfolio work and presentations.

This student position reports to Danny Samuels, runs Tue 2:00–5:00 p.m., for August 31–December 15, 2026, at 3–6 hours per week, with a wage of $17.13–$18.25 per hour.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Experience with spreadsheets (Google Sheets, Excel).
• Knowledge of professional portfolio standards in the video game industry.
• Ability to provide constructive, supportive feedback on art and presentations.
• Prior teaching, mentorship, or peer review experience preferred.
• Accountable for tracking and reporting the amount of time worked.

Responsibilities

• Track assignment submissions and ensure requirements are met before grading.
• Provide real-time notes on student presentations.
• Offer advice on delivery and professional presentation skills.
• Assist students in refining portfolio work to industry standards.
• Maintain progress spreadsheets and support peer review sessions.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Spreadsheets

Portfolio standards knowledge

Constructive feedback

Teaching/mentorship

Time-tracking

Tools

Google Sheets

Excel

Job description

Applicants MUST be a current student at DigiPen Institute of Technology to qualify for this position.

• Student Employment at DigiPen is open to all currently matriculated students if they meet the qualifications for the job.
• Students may not work during any time when they have a class scheduled , a class is canceled , or a class ends early .
• Student workers must reside within the State of Washington. Remote work outside of Washington will not be permitted.

Job Title: Student TA – ART-450 Portfolio (Samuels), F26

Reports to: Danny Samuels

Class Times:

Tuessdays – 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly organized and motivated Teaching Assistant (TA) to support a senior-level BFA course focused on portfolio development, networking, and professional practices for students preparing to enter the video game / film industry. The TA will provide organizational, instructional, and feedback support, helping ensure students meet assignment requirements while also guiding them in refining their presentations and artwork.

Key Responsibilities

Assignment Support

• Track assignment submissions using organizational spreadsheets.
• Review student work to ensure all requirements are met before instructor grading.
• Provide constructive feedback on clarity, completeness, and alignment with assignment criteria.

Presentation Support

• Monitor student presentations and provide real-time notes.
• Offer advice on delivery, communication, and professional presentation skills.
• Assist students in improving confidence and clarity when presenting to peers or professionals.

Art & Portfolio Development Support

• Give actionable suggestions to help students push their art further.
• Encourage refinement of portfolio work with a focus on industry standards.
• Help students align their work with target roles and studios.

Classroom & Organizational Support

• Maintain spreadsheets to track student progress across assignments.
• Assist with setting up and running peer review sessions.
• Serve as a point of contact for students needing clarification on course expectations.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Experience with spreadsheets (Google Sheets, Excel).
• Knowledge of professional portfolio standards in the video game industry.
• Ability to provide constructive, supportive feedback on art and presentations.
• Prior teaching, mentorship, or peer review experience preferred.
• Accountable for tracking and reporting the amount of time worked.

Expected dates of employment: August 31 – December 15, 2026

Expected number of hours per week: 3 - 6

*** Once again, students are not permitted to work during any time when they are scheduled for a class. ***

Wage Range:

$17.13 - 18.25 per hour, depending on number of terms worked at DigiPen

Working Conditions:

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, and/or crouching; and fine finger dexterity. May need to lift up to 25 lbs. Generally, the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, and 10% standing.

DigiPen Student Employee Academic Requirements:

• Are currently a Matriculated student at DigiPen Institute of Technology
• Good Academic Standing – not on Academic Warning as defined in DigiPen Course Catalog
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher

Requirement Exceptions:

It is possible to still be selected for a position with DigiPen if you do not meet the requirements above, so don't let that dissuade you from applying!

Once you have applied for – and the supervisor decides to offer you – a position, we will contact the necessary managers (Supervisor, Department Chair, and/or the Dean of Faculty) to complete and sign off on an Academic Waiver form, depending on which requirements need to be waived. Once the Waiver is returned to us, we'll continue you through the hiring process.

Equal opportunity is a priority of DigiPen Institute of Technology, as the institution is committed to fostering a positive learning environment for all. The Institute's intent is to hire the most qualified individuals for faculty and staff, attracting candidates from diverse backgrounds of race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, veteran status, nationality, culture, religion, and physical abilities. We are committed to broadening our candidate pool to include more diverse individuals and ensuring fairness in hiring by avoiding bias and determining criteria to judge all candidates prior to posting each new position.