Contact: csmhp@eiu.edu

Dr. Phil Age, School of Technology, founded the Eastern Illinois University student chapter of the Technical Association of Graphic Arts (TAGA) in 2001. This association is a research-based organization that uses advanced design concepts to integrate processes into specialized products. Dr. Age and Professor Jean Dilworth, School of Family & Consumer Sciences, took students from the EIU TAGA chapter to the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association’s (SGIA) Specialty Printing & Imaging Technology Shows in ’03 and ’04. As a result of the SGIA ’03 convention, the students designed and staffed a booth for SGIA ’04. The booth space was donated by SGIA. “We feel it is extremely important to support the future of our industry,” says Mike Robertson, SGIA President and CEO. “Students like these represent that future. Our industry will benefit from retaining and attracting the best and brightest students we can, and from promoting innovative and high quality educational experiences.”

Dr. Age primarily teaches courses in the Digital Printing, Imaging and Web Technology curriculum at EIU, as well as courses in conventional screen printing and color management. These classes emphasize design, pre-press, 4-color proofing, and digital ink jet printing to various narrow and wide-format ink jet printers. Professor Dilworth teaches classes in textile design which utilize international textile design software and printing to a piezo ink jet printer on various fabrics and substrates. Dilworth and Age have developed curriculum to address industry changes and emphasize hands-on projects using theories and processes to produce marketable products.

In the fall of 2003, the professors founded The Digital Color Science Laboratory at the University. This lab is dedicated to educating students from multiple disciplines in the essential requirements of digital color design, color proofing, digital ink jet printing technologies, and digital color workflow for cross-media products that bridge different industries in the reproduction of various color products. Age says, “We provide practical solutions to increase productivity and customer satisfaction.” They have already secured educational partnerships with global corporations including X-Rite, Wasatch, Encad, Lectra, Hix, Just Normlicht, Autotype America, Wilflex, Avery Dennison, Fabric Images, Jacquard Products, Laser Reproductions, Sefar, Shur-loc Fabric System, and the SGIA/DPI association.

At the SGIA ’04 show, Age noted, “The purpose of our booth is two-fold. We want to maximize student exposure through the SGIA/DPI conference to professionals to discuss either internships or employment. And we want them to see as much of the ‘real’ industry as possible. We have been very successful.” Students attended seminars, and reported to the TAGA members on their return to campus. At SGIA ’04, they attended 27 different seminars on a large variety of topics. Dilworth stated, “It is extremely rewarding to watch the students realize that what we’ve been teaching them is real and correct and applicable to the real world.”

Eastern Illinois University students are already preparing to attend the ‘05 convention. “We are on schedule for attending SGIA ’05 in New Orleans, and students will look forward to the convention and seminars as they did in Minneapolis.” A recent graduate, Ann Holste, has commented, “As student member of TAGA, a summer internships, and designing projects, I have learned the value of team work and the concept to always push creativity to the limits.”