Teaching digital design, manufacturing, and business in student screen and sign print shop class, earning over $26K in one semester with 30% profit.
Background
GM Gear and Print (GMGP) is a student run print shop class I taught at Green Mountain High School. As a part of the class, students learn the basics of Adobe Illustrator to prepare artwork for production on various forms of media (banners, sticker, posters, apparel). Because the class runs as a business, I then guide students through the production process, teaching them how to use various manufacturing tools and equipment, namely screen printing, large format printing, and UV printing. Below, are a couple projects I documented while teaching the class. In the first semester of teaching the class, we generated over 26K in revenue and turned a 30% profit. This money is then reinvested into the class to buy more materials and equipment.
Apparel
Screen Printed Pullover (helped student design)
Heat Pressed T-shirt (personally designed)
Screen Printing Preparation (helped students design)
Student Screen Printing (helped student design)
We have a screen printing transparency film printer, darkroom, exposure unit, wash tank, and printing press in house. As such, I oversee the production of all screen printed apparel items from start (artwork color separation) to finish (packaging and delivery). Some items we send out to be made into heat transfers and then heat pressed. Depicted above are apparel designs I helped students design and produce.
Printed Media
Students designed and produced over 70 senior yard signs for the class. I ran this as a student competition, and seniors voted on their favorite design. We then customized and sold each yard sign for $25.
Original Space
Vinyl Vinyl Install
Original Wall Space
Final Vinyl Install
We did a large vinyl install in the boy's locker room to help add some "RAMS" school spirit. I worked closely with the customer (coach) to bring his vision to life, including the font selection (Nike Boulder Font) and the design, sizing, and placement of the letters.
Power Tool Signage (helped design)
Poster (personally designed)
(Above) Misc. items I helped design and print using the Roland Large Format Printer.