October 1, 2014, at Graph Expo 14 in Chicago, featured the first ever Educators/Associations Day
Free and open to all Graph Expo 14 visitors, this novel event shared current and vital information about the future of graphic communication education and prospects for the industry's future workforce.
According to program coordinator Harvey Levenson, Cal Poly Professor Emeritus and Director of the Graphic Communication Institute at Cal Poly (GrCI), "This was a much needed forum dedicated to sessions of interest to graphic communication educators, association leaders, and to anyone concerned about the availability of well educated and qualified industry employees of the future.
Levenson said, "We put this day together in light of the cancellation of the GASC/Printing Industries of America Teachers Conference that has taken place for decades at Graph Expo and at PRINT. Lack of funding this year forced the cancellation and I thought that there needed to be a focused session respecting the important role that educators and associations play in furthering our industry through the preparation of our industry's future leadership and the professional development of those already in the field. Educators/Associations Day was one last minute attempt at such recognition. While this first event was small, I trust that it will be the foundation for future Graph Expo events of this nature. It would be a perfect part of the Teachers Conference should funding be reinstated for next year and beyond."
A special program highlight was viewing of the updated one-hour movie documentary, "Harvest of Wisdom." For those who never saw the original version, Levenson said, "it is a 'must-see' that will deliver an unforgettable perspective on the significance of the printing industry—past, present and future." The movie traces the evolution of graphic communication from the dawn of civilization to present and projects the future. The movie was produced by PIA MidAmerica's Nolan Moore Foundation. Joe Polanco of PIA MidAmerica was the Executive Producer. Jerry Waite of the University of Houston was the Producer, and Phil Snyder, also of the University of Houston, was the Director.
Keeping Print Relevant Among Younger People
The day began with a presentation by Joe Polanco, President, PIA MidAmerica, on a recent study he conducted entitled, "Keeping Print Relevant Among Younger' People—Attracting a New Generation." The study focused on the future graphic communication employees and how to continue to keep print relevant in an electronic world. It addressed the question, "How do graphic communication associations and schools engage younger people?" The method for this study involved sending questionnaires to present students and recent graduates (of the past five years) of graphic communication programs of four universities: Cal Poly (California), Pittsburg State University (Kansas), University of Central Missouri, and University of Houston (Texas). The questionnaire asked:
How they communicate with friends
- Email
- Phone
- Text
- Social Media
- Other
How they spend free time
- Alone
- With friends
- With group online
- With groups face-to-face
Their primary influencers
- Friends
- Co-workers
- Family
- Advertising
- Other
Their preferred channels for information
- Fellow students/Co-workers
- Professors
- Industry organizations
- Friends
- Other
Their familiarity with industry organizations
- Flexographic Technical Association (FTA)
- National Association of Printing Leadership (NAPL)
- National Association of Quick Printers (NAQP)
- National Print Owners Association (NPOA)
- Printing Industries of America (PIA)
- Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA)
- Technical Association of the Graphic Arts (TAGA)
Some Interesting Results
- By far, texting is the preferred method of communicating with friends for each group; present students and recent graduates. Email and Other were preferred least by present students. Phone communication was also rated low as a communication choice.
