Graphic Sign Arts Program
NAIT’s Graphic Sign Arts program is unique in that it’s the only detailed program of its kind in Canada for those interested in a career in the sign industry.
I recently visited the Graphic Sign Arts program, and had the chance to see students working on a client project. For the project, students were assigned a client and given a general idea of the kind of sign that the client needed. From there, the students did everything from proposing different design options to preparing estimates, to fabricating the sign itself. The day I visited, student RJ Arcand was working on a banner for his client, the NAIT Athletics department. RJ used software to design and produce the computer aided sign. In the first picture, you can see him using the plotter machine to cut out decals for the sign.
In addition to computer aided signs, students in the program also learn how to use various hand and power tools. The machine above is a panel saw that students use to cut plastics and wood for sign production. Students get to apply all of the hands-on experience they’re getting in the program into a practicum placement with companies that could include specialty sign shops, vehicle graphics shops, and screen printing shops.