Training for office work is more creative than ever

On May 8, students of the Vanier Micropublishing and Hypermedia Program showed off their knowledge and training in an exhibition of the items they had produced during the final year of their studies. A swirl of colourful posters, logos, stickers, bottle labels, innovative bags and packaging products, business cards and business forms, brochures and magazine style page layouts were all on display. Among the items shown, some of the most striking and sometimes most poignant were posters on global warming, the environment, depression and suicide prevention. “What is striking in their work is the freshness, the thoughtfulness, and the thought-provoking aspects of their designs,” commented one visitor.

Last year, Vanier modernized the teaching content of this ever evolving program that must constantly respond to the changing world of business offices. Courses were dropped and new ones added, particularly courses introducing students to the web and web design. As well a new advertising and promotion course given by the Business Administration Program now teaches students the context and theory behind the kind of design work modern businesses require.

Where do students go after they complete their studies? “About 25% go on to university studies, often in the Design or Design and Computation programs at Concordia University,” indicates program coordinator Joan Fee Taylor. “And others find work in business and design.” Many combine work and study. “I plan to study Art History at Concordia next year,” indicates graduating student Ingrid Fuentes, “but this summer I’ll do freelance design work. And I will continue freelancing while I’m at university.” Symeon Hector, already had a DEC and university studies in Psychology when he came to Vanier to follow his interest in design. “I wanted to study Micropublishing and Hypermedia to help further my own entrepreneurial interests in fashion, website design and music,’ he says. “So I’ll be setting up my own business.”

(Source: Vanier College)