Graphic Arts is the processes and industries that
create, develop, produce, and disseminate products utilizing or
incorporating words or pictorial images to convey information, ideas, and
feelings. Graphic Arts – Graphic Communications includes the family of
market segments embracing the technologies of printing, publishing,
packaging, computer imaging and their allied industries: they are often
referred to as graphic arts, print, or imaging industries.
The field of Graphic Arts encompasses all phases of the
graphic communications processes from the origination of the ideas
(design, layout, and typography) through reproduction, finishing and
distribution of two or three dimensional products or electronic
transmissions. It comprises the evolving technologies of computer-age
prepress, image generation, data reproducing, designing and posting
internet web pages, interactive multimedia, digital photography,
electronic digital imaging, and desktop publishing. It includes all of the
printing methods (offset lithography, flexography, letterpress, gravure,
screen printing pad printing, embossing direct digital, electrostatic,
laser printing, and other electronic imaging or specialty image
reproduction methods). Post-press operations (folding, cutting, fastening,
personalizing, etc.) and product distribution compete the cycle.
The Graphic Arts program provides the students with
practical work experience in learning techniques of desktop publishing
through the use of computers to design a printing assignment. The theory
of photography, using continuous tone 35mm cameras with flat bed scanners
and digital cameras is taught to produce images for printing plate
production. In the photography and platemaking process students learn the
chemistry utilized in the graphic arts field. Students learn to set type
and generate page art through the use of desktop publishing software.
Proofreading of all layout work is an important part of the pre-print
operations to ensure accuracy before work is sent to the press. Paper
selection, cutting, and binding, along with ink applications and mixing
are included in the curriculum. Competencies in printing press operations
on a wide variety of non-profit sources provide students with
opportunities to experience actual production work.
