Exciting Upgrades For The Graphic Technology Lab
Recent graduates of the Graphic Communications Technology program at the University of Houston might be surprised at the speed in which the graphics computer lab is upgrading to prepare currently enrolled and future graduates for the job market. Upon entering the lab, one will immediately notice a difference in its layout, which has been reconfigured to hold 32 workstations. The Mac G4s each have CDRW or DVD-R drives. These Macs run on an OS X 10.2 operating system, an upgrade from the OS 9 system previously used. Those who worked in the old lab will appreciate the fact that each workstation now has its own flatbed scanner. No more having to queue up 10 or 15 at a time to scan images! The new layout is also more conducive to student interaction and group work, since each station is essentially its own self-contained unit.
Also installed in each of these Mac G4s is an array of the latest in graphic design and technology software. Beginning in fall of 2003, students will now learn page layout using Adobe InDesign 2.0 for the Image I/II and Visual Communications courses. InDesign resembles other Adobe products, in its use of layers, and so on. Students will also work with a newer version of Photoshop, which was upgraded from 5.0 to 7.0 in Fall of 2002. Students enrolled in the Visual Communications and the recently added Multimedia classes will also have access to Macromedia Flash and Dreamweaver. The addition of these World Wide Web-related applications represent the modern outlook of the Graphic Communications Technology program, which views the Internet as an integral part of communications technology, as discussed in the Spring 2002 edition of the Graphic Technologist newsletter. Such additions will also make the GCT program more attractive to a wider variety of prospective students.
Yet another component of the lab upgrade that will be immediately noticeable to recent graduates is the change of layout in the darkroom. A row of four Macs serve as the Scanner Station, Colortron Station, Imposing Station, and Stylus RIP Station. Visibly absent are the stripping tables, which were used in the Image I/II classes a couple of years ago. Donāt fear÷the tables still exist, but are now located in the press room, along with the plate burners. According to Dr. Waite, stripping is now only demonstrated (rather than taught) to students, using photomechanical plates for the Press I class. Imposition is still highly stressed, but is now taught electronically.
Those considering a major or minor in the Graphic Communications Technology program can rest assured that they will be provided with the latest software and hardware, to prepare them for the job market after graduation. As the graphic technology industry grows and changes, the GCT department will do its best to make sure that its graduates will possess marketable knowledge and skills.