Contact Information:
Art & Design teacher: Rachel J. Minnich
Email: rminnich@octorara.org • Phone: 610-593-8254
Class Description (as found within the program of studies):
3.0 Credits Gr. 10, 11, 12
This 3-credit course is for students who want to “major” in Graphic Design & Illustration while still in high school. In this course students will be given projects that will incorporate all aspects of graphic design. Using the principles of design and color theory, along with use of typography and layout, students will learn how to promote, brand, print, and save images for use on the web and for print using the industry standard Adobe Creative Suite. This course uses research and investigation to solve problems from multiple perspectives through experimenting and conceiving solutions. Through this research, students will learn about current industry practices and will in turn be able to prepare their portfolios so that they are able to enter the workforce directly after High School (if they so desire). Students will also learn how to produce the fine art pieces that are needed for their college entrance portfolio reviews. The senior year of this program may culminate in an internship or co-op placement where students can use the skills they have learned in an actual work setting. The class will meet 2 to 3 hours per day for up to three years. Upon successful completion, students may earn the following certification: PA Skills Certificate.
CTP - Graphic Design & Illustration students must concurrently enroll in Graphic Design & Printing I and Photography Technology I during either their 11th or 12th grade year.
Here for you...
CTP Design & Illustration at Octorara Area Senior High School is here to serve the school district as well as the community. Students who are in this program will get a small taste of what designers go through in the real world by designing business cards, letterheads, envelopes, retouching old photographs, brochures, posters, etc.
Essential questions for all assignments:
- How does your current project meet the required CIP 50.0402 tasks listed on the PA Department of Education Task Grid?
- How will you choose which Adobe Creative Suite program is best for your design project?
- How can we build a portfolio that we will not only be proud of, but will also get us accepted into the art school of our choice?
- How does the understanding and practice of both the computer and drawing processes contribute to lifelong learning and choice of career path?
Supplies Needed:
REQUIRED: Chromebook
SUGGESTED: phone with camera/digital camera
CTP 1: Project Examples
CTP 2: Project Examples
CTP 3: Project Examples
The Task List: All of the above projects teach required learning benchmarks required by the state of Pennsylvania (see below)
Rules & Expectations:
- Students are expected to be to class on time
- Students are not permitted to throw objects of any kind
- Students are not to touch, take or damage artwork or other property not belonging to them
- Students are not allowed to play games on their phones or at the computers
- NO cell phones are allowed
- NO FOOD, DRINK OR PERSONAL OBJECTS ARE ALLOWED AT THE COMPUTERS!
Other art room expectations:
- Upon entering the art room, students are to put all backpacks UNDER their assigned studio table; Books, purses, lunches, drinks should be left on the shelves by the classroom entrance.
- Polite, courteous behavior is expected in the art room towards your teacher, substitute, student-teacher or peers at all times. This means that:
- Students are not to interrupt anyone while they are talking
- Students are not to use indecent or profane language
- Students will pay attention and participate in lectures, critiques and group discussions
- Phones are AWAY at all times
- Students are to work the entire period – failure to do so can result in making up the time wasted.
- Students are not permitted to line up at the door at the end of class.
- Students are only permitted to clean up 5 minutes before the bell rings.
- Students are to push their chairs in when leaving.
- Students are not permitted in or through the teacher’s supply room.
- Students leaving this room for any reason will need to have the classroom pass - only 1 student is allowed out at a time.
- Students should submit their completed projects both physically & electronically.
- Students should be aware of the ESSENTIAL QUESTION for every project they are working on.
- ALL SCHOOL RULES AND POLICIES ARE SUPPORTED AND WILL BE ENFORCED IN THIS ART ROOM!
Student Art Opportunities:
Senior Art Shows: (grade 12) Each upper level senior art student (fine arts, photography, ceramics, graphic design, or studio art) will need to sign up with their teacher to be part of the group senior art show in the spring. Students will meet with all members of the art department for quarterly portfolio reviews. Seniors will be asked to keep a working portfolio of 8-15 pieces at Octorara High School throughout the school year. Portfolios will not only be reviewed by presenters from visiting art schools, but students pursuing art will have a chance at scholarship opportunities through the different competitions posted in the art wing.
Art School Visitions: Some of our visiting schools have been: Millersville, Kutztown, PCAD, DCCC, Moore, Tyler/Temple, UArts, Marywood, Antonelli, The Art Institute, Cecil, Delaware College of Art & Design, Arcadia, Hussian, MICA, Lebanon Valley College, Drexel, Wilson, Lock Haven, Thaddeus Stevens, Rowan, Full Sail, Penn State, PA Academy of the Fine Arts, LaSalle, Keystone College, Harcum. This year’s schedule: T.B.A.
National Art Honor Society (N.A.H.S.): (grades 9, 10, 11, 12) The NAHS strives to aid members in working toward the attainment of the highest standards in art areas, and to bring art education to the attention of the school and community. For students to achieve high standards, art programs must maintain a substantive focus by choosing art content that includes complex problem-solving and higher order thinking skills, and serious alignment of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development that results in student learning.
Skills USA: (grades 10, 11, 12): All OACTEP Design & Illustration students are autimatically enrolled in this club. SkillsUSA is a national organization serving teachers and middle-school, high-school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations, and for further education. SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA programs include local, state and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. At the annual national-level Skill- sUSA Championships, more than 6,000 students compete in 100 occupational and leadership skill areas. SkillsUSA programs also help to establish industry standards for job skill training in the lab and classroom, and to promote community service. SkillsUSA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is cited as a “successful model of employer-driven youth development training program” by the U.S. Department of Labor. SkillsUSA offers local, state and national opportunities in which students can demonstrate their personal, workplace and technical skills. These three components comprise the organizational framework of SkillsUSA. This framework serves as the blueprint for career readiness.
Need to start planning for college? Here are some websites to visit:
Questions, Comments, Need help? Please don't hesitate to contact me...
Mrs. Rachel J. Minnich • rminnich@octorara.org