Learning by working with a client

Editor's Note: This is the nineth in a series of articles about the students in the various programs at the Region 9 School of Applied Technology.

MEXICO -- One client wanted something to sell to raise money for a scholarship. Another client wanted to celebrate each and every student at Region 9 School of Applied Technology and to show the community what the school does.

Other clients had very definite ideas of how to portray their program. With all of those parameters, the students in the digital graphic arts program got to work on a beautiful calendar.

Dirigo junior Sonya Jalette explained, “Cheryl Ellis (student services coordinator) sat with us and stated she wanted to do a calendar for a scholarship. Once the idea was finalized, Isaac Gould and I split the months and began the design phase for a template.”

In addition, Director Brenda Gammon wanted each of the nearly 150 Region 9 students to be in at least one photograph.

The project excited Instructor Ruth Brown because it was an opportunity for her students to use their Adobe Photoshop skills and Adobe InDesign skills.

Brown added, “The goal of the project was to tell the story of each program. For example, in Metal Trades students learn both machining skills and welding skills. Therefore, their page needed to include students learning both skills. Another example, Forestry spends most of their time at the wood lot, so the pictures of the program needed to be taken out in the woods.”

The design phase “was a process of running around and getting photos of every one,” explained Dirigo senior Isaac Gould. “We constructed the template with the proper dates, then added the photos and colors.”

Brown added, “Region 9 instructors approved the photos before the project was sent to the printer. Mrs. Ellis and the instructors provided a different perspective than the students who were asked to change some of the photos. It was a good learning experience for the students to make changes based on the needs of the client. Maine Press printed the calendars locally.”

Finally, the calendar was ready for sale for $15 through the Region 9 office.

Jalette summed up the process, “Working for her (Ellis) was a great experience and allowed for questions. She gave us good feedback to get this project perfect.”

The calendar project is one of many that Region 9 students do in order to learn skills in their respective programs. In addition to using the Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, digital graphics students also learn Adobe Illustrator and the website design DreamWeaver program. This program helps students develop skills and experience in the world of graphic arts, designing resumes, menus, flyers, posters, brochures, signs and more.

But what attracts a student to the digital graphics program?

Jalette said, “I choose this program because of my interest for animation and on-screen graphics, and my burning dream of becoming a video game illustrator.”

“I felt it was going to be something I would enjoy and I do,” explained Gould. “My favorite thing about this program is that I feel at home with it.”

Both feel that their experience at Region 9 will help them in the future. Gould said, “I hope to get a basic knowledge about these computer programs for when I go to college. I will have an idea what I’m doing with the programs.”

“Experience in the field of graphics and a head start on the basics for the big dream,” added Jalette.

She also highly recommends the program, “I would tell other people that this class is not what you expect. It has less actual bookwork and lots of hands on real-world projects and designs!”

If a student is interested in learning more about the program, contact Region 9 for a tour.