Graphic Imaging Technology Course Back At Valley
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
Students at Warsaw and Whitko high schools also can participate in the program through the Warsaw Area Career Center.
According to instructor Dan Franklin, Valley has had a print shop since the 1970s. Franklin took the program over in 1992 as part of the industrial arts curriculum. It then became part of the vocational program, and eventually part of the career and technical education program.
The program was going well, Franklin said, until 2004. He then was called to active duty for 16 months and had to serve in Afghanistan. When he returned, TVHS was in the middle of a major remodeling project. The lab was demolished and all the equipment was put into storage. Franklin also needed to get certified again to teach vocationally.
With the urging of Tim Harman, of Harmony Graphics, and Valley Superintendent Brett Boggs, a committee was formed to re-establish printing and graphics at TVHS.
"We've got pretty much the same equipment we had, but the facilities have been remodeled," Franklin said.
The graphics and printing program also has new computers and graphic design software, such as Adobe Creative Suit 4.
With the program being part of the Warsaw Area Career Center, Franklin said, WACC Director Bill Kovach and Diana Yarian were able to acquire some Perkins Funding for the new computers, monitors and plate maker. The plate maker helps eliminate the need for a dark room, Franklin said.
Students in the program do graphic design and printing jobs for the school corporation. Eventually, Franklin said, students in the program will do jobs for areas of the community like non-profit agencies. They'll be small jobs, he said.
"We'll have to charge some to cover our costs," Franklin said.
Before a student can take the Graphic Imaging Technology course, Franklin said students must have a communication course under their belts. Like any other vocational course, students have to apply to get into the course.
The current class has 12 students, but it can take up to 18 at a time. It's a one-year course for two periods a day. Students from Warsaw and Whitko would have to drive to Valley to take the course.
After completing the course, Franklin said students will have the skills to work at a small printing operation at the entry level. A former student told Franklin that the course helped him get a leg up on a job in Fort Wayne.
"This is like a stepping stone. I'd like to see most of them get some kind of post-secondary education," Franklin said.
During the course, students work on graphic and printing products for the school corporation, everything from letter heads and envelopes to athletic tickets and programs.
"If they need it, we can do it for them," Franklin said. "The students do it themselves."
Students also learn screen printing for shirts. They have a number of activities they must learn to do, and learn four-color theory, Franklin said.[[In-content Ad]]Thursday afternoon, senior Ethan McDonald was working on redesigning the Valley letter head.
"He knows Photoshop better than I do," said Franklin.
"I'm just learning a lot, working in Photoshop and in the whole graphic design department," McDonald said. "I've just always liked that kind of stuff."
He said he plans to go to college for computer graphics, possibly working in animation. The course at Valley will help him work toward that goal.
"It's a hands-on course," said McDonald. "It's for students who want to learn more about graphic design."
Franklin said Valley is trying to create an awareness of the class. Scheduling for Valley courses begins in December.
Students at Warsaw and Whitko high schools also can participate in the program through the Warsaw Area Career Center.
According to instructor Dan Franklin, Valley has had a print shop since the 1970s. Franklin took the program over in 1992 as part of the industrial arts curriculum. It then became part of the vocational program, and eventually part of the career and technical education program.
The program was going well, Franklin said, until 2004. He then was called to active duty for 16 months and had to serve in Afghanistan. When he returned, TVHS was in the middle of a major remodeling project. The lab was demolished and all the equipment was put into storage. Franklin also needed to get certified again to teach vocationally.
With the urging of Tim Harman, of Harmony Graphics, and Valley Superintendent Brett Boggs, a committee was formed to re-establish printing and graphics at TVHS.
"We've got pretty much the same equipment we had, but the facilities have been remodeled," Franklin said.
The graphics and printing program also has new computers and graphic design software, such as Adobe Creative Suit 4.
With the program being part of the Warsaw Area Career Center, Franklin said, WACC Director Bill Kovach and Diana Yarian were able to acquire some Perkins Funding for the new computers, monitors and plate maker. The plate maker helps eliminate the need for a dark room, Franklin said.
Students in the program do graphic design and printing jobs for the school corporation. Eventually, Franklin said, students in the program will do jobs for areas of the community like non-profit agencies. They'll be small jobs, he said.
"We'll have to charge some to cover our costs," Franklin said.
Before a student can take the Graphic Imaging Technology course, Franklin said students must have a communication course under their belts. Like any other vocational course, students have to apply to get into the course.
The current class has 12 students, but it can take up to 18 at a time. It's a one-year course for two periods a day. Students from Warsaw and Whitko would have to drive to Valley to take the course.
After completing the course, Franklin said students will have the skills to work at a small printing operation at the entry level. A former student told Franklin that the course helped him get a leg up on a job in Fort Wayne.
"This is like a stepping stone. I'd like to see most of them get some kind of post-secondary education," Franklin said.
During the course, students work on graphic and printing products for the school corporation, everything from letter heads and envelopes to athletic tickets and programs.
"If they need it, we can do it for them," Franklin said. "The students do it themselves."
Students also learn screen printing for shirts. They have a number of activities they must learn to do, and learn four-color theory, Franklin said.[[In-content Ad]]Thursday afternoon, senior Ethan McDonald was working on redesigning the Valley letter head.
"He knows Photoshop better than I do," said Franklin.
"I'm just learning a lot, working in Photoshop and in the whole graphic design department," McDonald said. "I've just always liked that kind of stuff."
He said he plans to go to college for computer graphics, possibly working in animation. The course at Valley will help him work toward that goal.
"It's a hands-on course," said McDonald. "It's for students who want to learn more about graphic design."
Franklin said Valley is trying to create an awareness of the class. Scheduling for Valley courses begins in December.
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