Graphic Design jobs are expected to grow during the upcoming decade according to Learn.com. The website Incredibleart.org says that Desktop Publishing is the fastest growing art profession. Northwest Technology Center’s Digital Design program helps students gain the skills to work in both of these areas.
The Digital Design program is taught by Tami Frascht on the Alva Campus and Jessica Schanbacher at Fairview. Several options for curriculum are offered. These options are: Desktop Publisher/Graphic Designer, Graphic Design Specialist and Interactive Media Specialist. Both of these options can provide students with skills that may be used in a myriad of careers. Both options are open to high school and adult students.
In the Desktop Publisher/Graphic Designer career option, students use Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign software to create images and publications. They acquire fundamental skills in image creation, editing and management techniques using Adobe Photoshop. Students utilize Adobe Illustrator for graphics such as logos and illustrations. Students learn how to create a variety of print and online publications including business cards, letterheads, brochures, magazines, and books using Adobe InDesign. Students learn how to capture still graphics and videos using DSLR cameras, Osmos, GoPros, and a Phantom 4 Pro drone. Students learn how to edit videos Adobe Premiere and/or iMovie. Students create, edit, optimize and export graphics for video, print and web publishing.
In the Graphic Design Specialist career option, students cover all the same basics skills included in the Desktop Publisher/Graphic Design option as well as additional design concepts. In this career option students learn about color and design theories, accessibility, and marketing strategies related to print, video, and websites. Students also learn the basics of HTML and CSS coding using a web development tool such as Adobe Dreamweaver. Students learn how to create basic websites using the content management system WordPress.
Interactive Media Specialist is offered at Fairview only. In this career option, students learn the basics of technology and web design. Students acquire fundamental skills in image creation and management techniques, as they create, revise, optimize and export graphics for digital and web publishing. Students learn how Digital Media Production and complete a Capstone Course for this career option.
The Digital Design course is unlike a traditional classroom setting because many assignments are available online and through self-paced video training as well as individual and group projects completed in and out of the classroom. Students post their work to their own WordPress website. Students create an online and print portfolio to display their design skills.
According to Mrs. Frascht, “Students not only learn to use the different Adobe software programs, they also learn how to apply what they learn in their own individual and group projects. Most students say the various projects they complete are their favorite part of the course. They also say the Digital Design environment more closely resembles a work environment than a school environment and they really enjoy that.”
Courses in both career options may count as computer credits for high school student’s graduation and Oklahoma’s Promise requirements.
More information on the Digital Design program can be found on the NWTC website at www.nwtech.edu or by contacting Frascht at Alva at tfrascht@nwtech.edu or 580.327.0344 or Schanbacher on the Fairview campus at jschanbacher@nwtech.edu or 580.227.3708. Financial assistance is available to adult students who qualify.