The project was a collaboration between the students and June Zentner from 319 Gallery, Inc., an art gallery that is operated by local artist volunteers.

“We noticed the need for some directional signage for visitors to know what was in each of our five gallery rooms and navigate through them as well as the 319 Bistro,” said Zentner.

The request was brought to the attention of students completing the Graphic Communication Technologies Associate Degree at NTC. After hearing about the need in the community, Weber and Decker volunteered to lead the project from start to finish. The students worked with Zentner to understand the gallery and then researched the layout of the area. Ideas became sketches that were created into large-format signs for the Sun Gallery and a color-coded map of the gallery that will aid future exhibit goers.

“It was the best experience that we could have had — to start from scratch and find the best way to create and deliver the products,“ said Weber, NTC student.

Not only will the students be able to showcase the project publicly at the gallery, but they will also be able to highlight the experience in a professional portfolio that is needed for the last semester of their program.

“This is a win-win experience for our students and the community,” said Andy Somers, Graphics Instructor at NTC. “Meghan and Melissa will have the customer relations skills needed to earn their degrees and be successful in their field upon graduation.”

The students say that the experience opened their eyes to the entire process needed to design and produce a product for a client. “We are so thankful that June welcomed us into the gallery and allowed us to have this opportunity as college students,” said Decker.

“In the end, we couldn’t be more pleased with [Weber and Decker’s] skill and professionalism and the product of their work,” said Zentner.

To learn more about NTC’s Graphic Communication Technologies Associate Degree, visit: www.ntc.edu/academics-training/programs/all/associate-degree/graphic-communication-technologies

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Northcentral Technical College (www.ntc.edu) is north central Wisconsin's premier two-year college of choice and is a resource for all District residents. It provides individuals, organizations and businesses with quality skills training in a wide range of programs designed to build a competitive, technologically advanced workforce in today's rapidly changing global environment. NTC has seven convenient locations and three Centers of Excellence in Antigo, Medford, Merrill, Phillips, Spencer, Wausau and Wittenberg.