Foxborough High Class Gives Seniors Real World Graphic Design Experience

The following was submitted by Foxborough Assistant Superintendent Amy Berdos as part of the Foxborough School Committee’s Teaching and Learning Highlight Series:

Foxborough High School’s Senior Inc. was featured as the Teaching and Learning Highlight at the November 16th School Committee meeting. Ms. Kelly Arcacha, FHS Art Department Head, was joined by FHS students Julianne Bridges, Allison Curran, Matthew Curreri, Kelsey McDonald, Fabrice Mercier, and Michael Relleva to describe the real world application that students experience in this upper level elective design course. Senior Inc. is the third in the Graphic Design trilogy of courses offered within the art department at FHS.

Do you have a design project in mind or need help designing a web page? If so, chances are the talents of these FHS students can help you with your goal. Students in the Senior Inc. course form their own design work groups, solicit business, and design projects and web pages for actual clients. Work shared thus far range from designing logos for different clients to creating a superhero to support grade one math instruction. For example at the secondary level the math department solicited Senior Inc. to help encourage the use of technology in the classroom by designing a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) logo. The students shared how the math department came to Senior Inc. asking for a logo that would help encourage students to bring their own device to school as this is a change and transition for students from the past. “Technology is only going to advance so I took on the point that technology will take over the pencil,” shared Matt. “It’s really nice to collaborate and get others’ opinions, it’s good to work together,” he said. Many designs were pitched representing how technology is overtaking the pencil with the group coming to consensus on the final design. At the elementary level they designed a life-size character named Mega Math Woman which was used to engage first grade students with math concepts.

As stated in the course description, this curriculum is for those serious design students who are self-motivated and can work well as a member of a team or work group. “This course extends study of design principles and their applications to more complex solutions as students learn what it is like to work with an actual clients,” Ms. Arcacha explained. How do they do this? The goal within the class is to “push the process as much as the product,” she stated. Students work together through a completely student-led five step process where they collaborate through work groups to find a solution for their clients. The first step is the design process where students meet with their client to define the problem and target audience. For example, the Food Service department wanted help with taking away the stigma with certain foods and asked Senior Inc. to help with creating posters and logos to appeal to different age groups. The second step of the process is to investigate the problem. During the third step of the process, students work together to brainstorm and create a mind map of solutions for their clients. Step four of the process is designing the actual solution. This is accomplished by using technology software solutions available in the art department which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, photography, scanners, Wacom tablets, typography, etc. The final step of the five-step process involves getting feedback from the client. Students describe this as one of the most important steps where criticism is welcomed. This is the time when students investigate revisions to tweak their solutions for their clients.

When asked about upcoming projects, there is no end in sight. The students enthusiastically shared that Senior Inc. is currently backed up with clients! They have had a wide variety of clients and needs and it is only November. The group agreed that the full year class provides real life experience. They plan to continue the project with the Food Service department to help remove the stigma associated with certain foods and better appeal to different age groups. They are also developing a solution with business department teacher, Mr. Jon McCabe, addressing ways to better market the school store. The students commented that when there is more than one project at a time, they have to split up, but they all have a part in the process. School Committee Chairman Bruce Gardner ended by challenging the group with the idea to also market the Foxborough Public Schools.