Mentoring Students & Shaping Graphic Communications Curriculum
The team at North American Graphics is helping shape the future of graphic communications industry by supporting academic programs. Mike Grady serves on the advisory board for Illinois State University’s Graphic Communications Technology program. The advisory board works closely with faculty to shape the Graphic Communications Technology curriculum.
Graphic Communications Technology graduates become technical, creative and management professionals in a variety of markets. The curriculum blends digital media and print media technology. Students are involved in hands-on projects to design and produce media that incorporate photography, video, 3D animation, augmented reality, and printing technology.
Another important aspect of advisory board participation is mentoring students. Each year, a team of Illinois State University students compete in the Phoenix Challenge. This is a great opportunity to inspire the next generation of our workforce.
The Phoenix Challenge is a year long, problem-solving team project which culminates in a formal presentation to a panel of industry judges at the annual FTA Forum. The intent is to engage college-level students in creatively solving a current, industry-relevant flexographic problem which would allow them to practice and showcase their research, problem solving, design, and print production skills. The goal is to inspire academic programs to grow and improve their level of instruction and research.
At the annual advisory board meeting, the students practice their formal presentation in preparation for the FTA Forum. The advisory board offers feedback and provides support. It’s a lot of fun to see the student’s ingenuity and hard work come to life.
In 2021, Illinois State University’s Graphic Communications Technology student team placed first in the Phoenix Challenge competition. Be sure to check out the student’s award winning flexographic print project here.
Learn more about Illinois State University’s Graphic Communications Technology major.
Collaborating with brand owners and printers to streamline the design to print process.
Learn more about production art, prepress and plates for packaging.
