A recent collaboration between the LCC Graphic Arts and Imaging Technology (GAIT) and Automotive Technology programs provided unique training opportunities for students. The collaboration began several months ago when the Automotive Technology program purchased a hybrid-powered vehicle, a 2010 Toyota Prius, to provide training opportunities on this new technology for students in the Automotive program.

“By being able to expose our students to the hybrid technology, they will be better prepared for the job market,” Automotive Technology Program Chair Slade Chatman said. “Not only do students have the opportunity to learn the latest technology in the automotive field, it also helps move the college to a cleaner way of doing business.”

So what would make LCC’s 2010 blue Toyota Prius stand out from the rest of the vehicles on the road today and serve as an educational experience? Collaboration between departments was the answer.

During this same time students in the GAIT program were in a new course where the focus was on the design, development, production, and installation of vehicle and other outdoor graphics. In order to provide real-world, hands-on applications, the graphics students were assigned a project to design, produce and install graphics on the new car to promote the Automotive Technology program and the college.

The GAIT students were excited about the project and once a design was selected and refined, the production and installation began. “The GAIT students were excited about learning how to produce and install the graphics onto the vehicle and the entire class was involved, GAIT Program Chair Dwight Downie said. “The installation process took a few class periods and the students were almost competitive in wanting to get their hands on the tools.” The design concept was produced by GAIT student Linda Mathiasen of New Bern.

During installation, several Automotive students were observing and asking questions about how the graphics were produced and the installation process. “ I think what made the collaboration most exciting on an educational level, was the interaction of students from different program areas,” Downie said. “Anytime students are exposed to other program areas outside of their major, they learn about other technologies and they seem to gain a mutual respect for each other’s trade and see the value of other programs on campus,” he said.

“Mobile advertising and automotive customized graphics is becoming big business in the graphics industry and the GAIT program is well-equipped to provide training opportunities for students,” Downie said.

PORTFOLIO SHOW AND OPEN HOUSE

The GAIT department recently held their annual Portfolio Show and Open House. Students had an opporutinity to present their portfolios to invited guests and attendees. The students' portfolios contain a culmination of their best work from the past two years while enrolled in the program. "They've worked long and hard over the past two years to make it to this point and now they have an opportunity to present and discuss their work on a professional level," stated Dwight Downie, chair of the GAIT department. Those in attendance included representatives from the graphics and printing industry, students from neighboring colleges, friends, family, and college personnel.

GRAPHICS STUDENTS WIN AWARDS

Five Lenoir Community College Graphic Arts & Imaging Technology students recently won nine PICA Awards in honor of their achievements in printing, including three Best of Category Awards. PICA, the Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc., and its PrintForce project recently held a printing competition for high school and college graphic arts students. The event, the 2011 Twin Oaks Student Achievement Awards, offered recognition in various printing categories. LCC’s students competed against other two-year and four-year college students from North and South Carolina including Appalachian State University, Clemson University, Chowan University, and several other community colleges. They were recognized at the LCC annual awards ceremony spring semester and presented with their PICA Awards.

Award winning students and their respective awards were:

Hollie Hardison
Award of Excellence--Offset Printing

Don G. Harrell, Jr.
Special Judges Award--Screen Printing

Linda Mathiasen
Best of Category--Screen Printing
Special Judges Award--Offset Printing (2)
Award of Excellence--Digital Printing

DJ Nichols
Best of Category--Digital Printing
Award of Excellence--Offset Printing

Shonna Sutton
Best of Category--Offset Printing

NICHOLS RECEIVES PICA SCHOLARSHIP

Sophomore Graphic Arts & Imaging Technology student DJ Nichols was recently selected to receive the PICA/Weese scholarship awarding him $500. PICA is an association dedicated to protecting and promoting the common interest of the printing industry; and to help their members prosper, both individually and collectively, through fellowship, education and cooperative action.

The LCC Graphic Arts & Imaging Technology web site was designed by the LCC GAIT department.

If you have any questions concerning the LCC Graphic Arts & Imaging Technology program or would like additional information, contact the department by:

e-mail: Graphic Arts & Imaging Technology

Telephone (252) 527-6223, ext 604

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