Sharing Knowledge with the Next Generation of Graphic Designers
Every few months, one of my students will write an article about our Graphics class. I genuinely enjoy reading these, as it helps me understand how they view their time here. Today, a new perspective: The Teacher Perspective.
This is my fourth year here at IVVC and it has been quite a journey thus far! Each year, the students seem to come in with more talent and more creativity than I ever thought possible. As I watch them create the projects I’ve assigned, I’m amazed at how quickly they pick up what they’ve learned. Teaching is one of the most rewarding things I never thought I’d do.
Each student brings to our room a gift that we all benefit from. Some bring creative abilities that they freely share with one another which in turn inspires and motivates others. Some bring a sense of humor that is so necessary in our field, as it helps ease stress and helps unclog our creative blocks that happen so often to us “creatives”. Some have a technical aptitude that allows those who struggle with understanding an additional resource to help explain processes in simple terms. There are even students who bring a desire to achieve greatness that is so huge, it magically flows onto other students, making each one greater than the next. Most of all, they all bring lessons that have taught me more as a teacher than I could ever teach them. For that, I will be forever grateful for each and every student that walks into my classroom.
Graphic Design is a fun and exciting way to express creativity while providing a service which ends up benefiting everyone involved. In our Graphics program at IVVC, students will learn the basics of the most up-to-date Adobe software available in our field. Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign are the three programs we focus on most.
“Teaching is one of the most rewarding things I never thought I’d do.”
Since our program has the entire Adobe Creative Suite, students are encouraged to utilize any available time on open lab days to broaden their knowledge base by self-instructing themselves on a new program. Students have access to website building, movie making, photo editing software and more! We also have some of the best digital cameras engineered by Canon that the students are welcome to use whenever they like. So many wonderful things to learn!
In addition to day-to-day lessons and projects, the Graphic Design Class at IVVC offers design services to the public on a case-by-case basis. This allows the students valuable “real world” experience. This year, we’ve done work for other classes here at IVVC, Sandwich High School, Somonauk High School, Hinckley-Big Rock High School, Mary Kay, The Lions Club of Sandwich (Franklin Mall Project), and the City of Sandwich, to name a few. Needless to say, we keep very busy here!
From a teacher’s perspective, I could not be happier to have found a place to share my knowledge with the next generation of Graphic Designers. I learn something every day, watch creativity brew into amazing things, and see the result of hard work and dedication. It is a truly fulfilling experience!
