Over the years, successive groups of first-year students in the Graphic Design program at Conestoga College have practiced their skills in practical and productive ways, by competing in design projects specially commissioned by community groups and businesses.
The list includes firms such as Schneider Foods and Grand River Transit, organizations such as the regional Labour Council and the Waterloo-Wellington Training and Adjustment Board, and institutions such as the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival and the Ontario College Application Services.
Recently, a first-year student collected two awards for designs commissioned as class projects.
Erin Hill of Kitchener received $250 from Victim Services of Waterloo Region and $200 from local architectural services firm The Walter Fedy Group. The former project involved design of a new logo and typeface for the organization; the latter entailed design of the firm's 2004 corporate Christmas card. A special feature of the card is that it highlights Fedy's ongoing participation in Plan International, a humanitarian organization active in 45 developing nations helping children reach their potential.
Hill is a 2002 graduate of Kitchener's Grand River Collegiate Institute and entered Conestoga in the fall of 2003.
Graphic Design is a popular and respected three-year, diploma-level program. Students gain a thorough knowledge of skills in two- and three-dimensional design techniques (both traditional and computer-generated, including typographic and visual elements), print production processes, relevant business practices and client-presentation techniques. Practical project work is emphasized, and students have won design competitions at all levels - local, regional, provincial, national and international.
CONTACT: Vincent Sowa, 519-748-5220, ext. 3453, vsowa@conestogac.on.ca