4 feature
thecollegian
Nov. 10, 2016
Graphic Arts students work in Shima 241. PHOTOS BY DYLAN LOURA AND CHANELLE MUERONG
HIGHLIGHTING DELTA
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT Graphic Arts department brings imagination to life By Chanelle Muerong Feature Co-Editor
The definition of graphic design, according to dictionary.com, states: “The art or profession of using design elements (as typography and images) to convey information or create an effect.” The act of being a graphic designer, however, can’t be explained with such a straightforward definition. Designers, students in this case, watch ideas come to life in more ways than with just a pen and paper. The Graphic Arts Department offers students a way to learn information they need to know while at the same time offering real-world experiences and projects. Approximately 15 years ago, the Graphic Arts Department came into existence, according to Professor Melanie Marshall. “We do all kinds of graphic arts. We do things from silk screening to creating banners, websites, books and do a lot of stuff in the community to help the community out. Just wherever we’re needed,” said Marshall. “What’s really important about doing that is that the students get real world projects and are able to do things that are set by another person so they have timelines and they have requirements that they have to meet.” Students have done work for the Stockton Animal Shelter, Micke Grove Zoo, Stockton is Magnificent and the College Square Shopping Center. They’ve also designed pins for Delta College and
posters for the dance department. Michael Oliva is an adjunct instructor and instructional support assistant for the department. “If you want to work as a graphic artist, you have to know all the programs that we teach here. It’s the adobe line of software applications. Everything we teach you here, you can use to to start a portfolio. People look at your portfolio, your body of work. I’ve been a professional artist for 40 years. I’ve never once been asked for a degree...they want to see my artwork.” Oliva has worked for Disney and currently maintains two sites: olivagrapix.com and smartprojectstockton.com. Students in the program use the Adobe line of software applications, as Oliva stated earlier. The programs include Adobe Photoshop which is digital imaging, QuarkXPress which is page layout, Adobe Illustrator which is computer art, DreamWeaver which is web design and Adobe InDesign which is publication design. “It’s a very good program, it teaches students how to use Adobe illustrator and Adobe products in general. It teaches you about typography and the whole process of creating advertisements and layouts. It’s a really good class, it teaches you all the fundamentals and it prepares you for what’s to come for this type of job,” said Alicia Rivera, a student in the program. “I would definitely recommend it because not only is this for people who love graphic arts, it also helps
people who are in businesses understand ‘this is what makes a good logo’.” According to Marshall, the classes just finished up two big projects. One of the projects was a logo for California Community Colleges and the other was a poster for the candidate forums that took place on Oct. 13-14. “It’s been good. It [the program] has been pushing me to learn the details of all the software and different tools and whatnot. It’s giving me a thorough learning of everything,” said Steven Mendoza, a student in the program. For students who want to pursue a career in this line of work, two options are available: an Associate of Arts Degree in Graphic Arts and a Graphic Arts Certificate of Achievement. According to the Graphic Arts pamphlet, students who complete these certificates will demonstrate skills, knowledge and training for entry-level employment in the field of graphic design, or transfer to a four-year college. Sascha Perry, one of Marshall’s former students, received a job while still in the program. “I work for a company called Powertank. I work part time as an in-house graphic designer. I get to work on my own time, it’s pretty cool,” she said.
Instructor ethnicity examined as key to student success
Delta College students disagree with study analyzing race’s role in education By Jasmine Gonzalez Staff Writer
Have you ever wondered if there’s a reason why children excel better in certain classes and have trouble in others? Or why the subject students are failing at are the subject they excelled in the year before? A recent study published in Educational Researcher “found that all students, regardless of their ethnic origin, ‘perceived more favorably minority teachers than white teachers,’” according to a Univision article. Researchers weren’t surprised that minority students preferred minority teachers but astonished when they found out non-minority students preferred minority teachers as well. Delta College students said what matters in their learning is quality of instruction and ability to understand, as opposed to ethnicity. Gisell Betancourt, a San Joaquin Delta College student, said maybe the student feels that “if they can
do it then I can too.” She said students feel a connection to the minority teachers because they can relate. Though she said her favorite instructor at Delta is a white male because “he takes time and goes through what the class needs help” with. She said he “grabs” attention. Ayman Altaf, a third-semester student, said she doesn’t have a preference in educator. “It doesn’t matter...they’re all good,” she said. Some students don’t fully agree with the study. “I think it is wrong...things should be equal,” said Daisy Gomez, a first-year student. Gomez said at her high school she felt teachers favored non-minority and students with higher incomes rather than minorities such as herself. “I like a teacher that explains ... that makes connections and explains the subject thoroughly,” she said. Joseph Nguyen said he evaluates instructors by knowledge.
“It doesn’t really depend on ethnicity of a teacher but the knowledge he or she has on the subject and how he or she explains it to the students...though there could a stereotype,” said Joseph Nguyen, thirdyear student. When asked the qualities he wished to see in a professor he said “engagement of the student and pride into the subject and class.” John Pagtama, a third-year student, also said it’s not about a person’s skin color. “I don’t think it matters... if they have the credentials it shouldn’t matter what ethnicity,” he said. The findings in Educational Researcher concluded “most students gave better ratings to Latinos and African-American teachers than whites in several indicators such as motivation, control they maintain over their classrooms, concern that demonstrate to students how they explain the concepts …” The qualities each minorities bring forth that effect the change, according to the Univision article.