Would you put a Chickfila project in your portfolio?

[BJMRamage]

I would keep it there.
If this is for the National chain and not just some touchups for a local joint.

If this is your "largest" reaching design that is good...and if it has stuck around for a while. If nothing else, it can produce talk about the piece, the company, stance, etc. and that shouldn't have any connection toward beliefs, and possibly (if these are spectacular pieces) put you at the top of mind.

Now, if you have a lot of topically-charged pieces, that would also be bad. but if you are showcasing designs, i wouldn't mind it. Now, that said, if they were a small-business and had a similarly charged mindset that made local news I might remove it, why? because at this point you may be dealing directly with the owner/CEO and perhaps you'd fit in tighter to their mindset and that could be bad.

now, if you did get a job at a company and wanted some waffle fries/buttery-bunned chicken sandwich with only 2 pickles or a milkshake...would you feel bad coming back to the office with it in hand/in a CFA bag?

Another thing to note…if you had no connection toward the CFA topic of the month, and these do not reflect that attitude, and the prospective employer MADE that connection, think about how working for that group will be if they start making connections in a similar matter. Or what if somehow, the employer stumbled upon this thread and knew you did work for CFA and when you didn't have it in your portfolio they asked you if you did any work for CFA…how would you respond?

Let's say you did a schedule Magnet for Penn State Football or Programs for Penn State for 1-2 seasons while Jerry S was a staff member. And they were the biggest thing you did, would you put that in your portfolio? (does that link you with being a person who would do...)

IF you have a hatred toward CFA now and would despise being connected with them for work or for food, remove it and any association.

[Audentia]

Great question!

I want ti say you can leave it because it's a huge company. But...

I did work for a few charities in my time and had them in my "early" portfolio many years ago. I actually had someone ask me flat out why I did pro bono work for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and not Cancer Foundation instead? It was a very awkward pause before I answered...
I told them the truth because of a family connection.
Needless to say I didn't take the job as it wasn't a great offer and I felt weird after such an intimate question with no relevance to my work or design being asked. So you just never know.

Go with your gut. If it seems not okay for now take it out. If you feel it's one of only a few (or the only one) that is national and bigger client then leave it in.

[Cre8tivDirector]

LOL - Garricks, Gromit, PD, Toshi - would love to chat anytime! Nothing better than finding a kindred spirit!

[GetIt!]

Like Jen, I've had some interesting items in my past. Heck, I have interesting items in my present.

I think the answer to the questions bears less on the client and more on your own views.

I have sexified stuff in my main portfolio (of art and website design), and I'm of the opinion that if the client can't handle it, I don't particularly want to work with them... they'll be shocked at my chosen laissez-faire attitude towards strict professionalism.

That's me, though, and many people prefer compartmentalizing.

I would think it's up to you which you are. Neither answer is wrong.

*smiles*

[Cosmo]

I would keep it there. I'm as big of an opponent of Chick Fil A and their recent antics as anyone (and my uncle works for the guy that owns the company and made the remark in question) but any potential client will (or should) understand that you do the work the client wants, regardless of your beliefs.

I have been a vegan for many years. Right now I'm working on a web site for a local steak house. It's a place I'll never go to, but they are paying me so I'm doing the work. These days you can't pick and choose who you work for if you like getting a paycheck. In my day job we do a lot of work for meat-packing companies, and we just did a shipping box for live mice that are used as feeders in pet stores, and one of our biggest customers is a company that makes clothes specifically for hunting. I can't say the name, but it's one of the biggest names in the industry.

Back in school, our teacher gave us a pretty interesting project. He told us to think about what we would love to do a newsletter about and write it down. Then start doing research on it. Then he had us all line up in the front of the room holding our research and pass it to the left. The materials we ended up with was our new project, so we ended up doing newsletters on things that we didn't care about (or may even be opposed to).

My point is, work is work. Because you did work for Chick Fil A doesn't mean you agree or disagree with that company's stance on any matter. Any potential client that can't see past that is not a client you want anyways.