Océ Australia Limited and RMIT joined forces recently to present the graduation work of Melbourne’s best young graphic arts students.
The students, completing a two-year graphic arts course at RMIT’s School of Design, prepared their work under the banner “Scissors, Paper, Rock!” which was then judged by representatives of Melbourne’s leading design and advertising professionals.
Océ approached RMIT when it learned that the graduation class, whose students present their work annually, usually have it printed commercially outside RMIT.
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Visitors and entrants in the RMIT School of Design Award inspecting entries. |
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Andrew Cocker of Océ with Most Outstanding Student, Rebecca Downie |
Prepress educator Meredith Chesney says that this left a vital component of the production process in outside hands.
“What was appealing about Océ’s offer was that they suggested teaching the students how to use their showroom equipment and then let them use that equipment to print off the work by themselves.
“This enabled the students to create, and design the final art and then make sure it was printed the way they wanted it, to complete the cycle. The students found it a terrific experience and, equally importantly, they were encouraged to work as a team, which reinforced the teamwork ethic they will find in the workplace.”
Andrew Cocker of Océ, who helped coordinate the joint effort, says students were invited to use any Océ equipment on the showroom floor which included CPS900 and CS650 colour production presses and wide format equipment for poster work.
“We invited the students in for a full day workshop to explain what the equipment does and to give them hands-on training. During the following workshop they were able to form into teams and prepare their work in preparation for the folio exhibition,” Cocker says.
“We also introduced them to the range of Océ paper stocks, allowing them to choose the stocks best suited to their designs.”
Meredith Chesney says that the graduating class consisted of 40 students in what is a TAFE-based course. The course covers finished art, creative design, prepress skills and knowledge, and other aspects of graphic arts and is well regarded among graphics professionals. Significant attention is given to industry involvement.
“From here they can go on to employment predominantly as designers or finished artists in the graphic arts environment.
Winners of the 2007 School of Design graduation prizes were: Rebecca Downie (Most Outstanding Student), Ib Chaiyato (Best Folio) and Leigh Milward (Special Mention for Folio)
Océ Australia Limited
www.oce.com.au
