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By Marc A. Znaniecki

For much of 25 years, Francie Skoflanc has worked at print shops, ad agencies, and the News-Tribune; she has designed jewelry and taught as a substitute teacher and as an interim art teacher.

At this time, Skoflanc, who has a B.A. from ISU, is developing and teaching courses in what will eventually be a one-year certificate and a two-year associate degree in Graphic Arts Technology.

The new certificate and degree programs are being designed with a mix of computer and fine arts training and skills.

"Graphic design today is highly dependent upon digital technology and we provide training in our Mac lab on the major graphics software programs," Skoflanc said. "Although the computer is the primary tool of the designer, a good background in traditional or fine arts is also essential to our program.

"Because you put a hammer in your hand, it doesn’t make you a carpenter," she continued. "The same applies for graphic arts. Just having a computer doesn’t make you a graphic artist. There is much more that yoou can accomplish on a computer in less time, but you need a traditional fine arts background in order to visually prepare your work for print."

Classes currently available to students interested in a certificate or degree include Design I, Drawing I, Visual Communication I and Photoshop. Skoflanc is teaching the Visual Communication course; the design and drawing courses, prerequisites for Visual Communication, are traditional fine arts classes, taught by members of the fine arts staff. The Photoshop course currently available is being taught through the business department, but Skoflanc is developing one specifically for the graphics program.

Skoflanc is also developing courses in Quark, Illustrator, Web Site Design, Multi-Media, and Printing Technologies. One of the classes will be set up as a mock advertising agency, she said.

"We have already been asked to work on projects with the college for fliers, theatre posters, etc.," Skoflanc said.

The job market for people training in graphic arts is very good, she said.

"For the last five years, there have continuously been calls for graphic artists and designers," Skoflanc said. "Places keep popping up for them.

"Twenty-five years ago, I never saw a lot of positions in this field advertised in the paper. I had to search for jobs."

Graphic designers are being hired by printing companies, advertising agencies, newspapers, magazines, corporations, stores, direct-mail ad companies, music publishers and record companies, public relations firms, clip art services, colleges, architectural and interior design firms, museums and art galleries.

"Freelance work is another area to get into," Skoflanc said. "Advancements in technology and the internet makes a whole new area for them to get into such as designing graphics for web sites."

Skoflanc also cited multimedia opportunities.

"As long as technology keeps moving forward, the opportunities are endless."

Skoflanc said opportunities exist in this area for good designers.

"If you’re good, then you’re worth you weight in gold," she said.

Entry level positions for graphic designers start at nearly $10 hourly with the median being $15, according to the Illinois Work Force Information Occupation Report. Wages go up to as much as $25 hourly for experienced designers.

While some people are interested in a career in graphic arts or design, others may take the classes because they need some graphic skills for their jobs, to design a newsletter or to write a report that includes text, diagrams and other materials.

"They want their piece to look professional," Skoflanc said.

"It’s helpful that I’ve been out there and know what students need to be successful," she said.

Further information is available from Skoflanc at extension 327 or in office B-105.