This year's ROP graphics started off the new year with its most grueling and tedious units in its existence. Hand. Skills. Hell. Week. This incredibly challenging part of the coursework tests the expertise and dexterity of each and every student, and in doing so, separates the masters of craftsmanship from the weaklings. On average, we tend to see a decrease in the size of the class as the week goes on. Now, "what is it that sends these design hopefuls running with their tales between their legs?", you might ask, well, the week kicks off with the Cutting Exercise, which test ones ability to measure, draw straight lines, then cut said lines with an X-acto knife. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. Each of these steps must be done with computer accuracy. and if the product does not comply, the student repeats the step until perfection is achieved. Once one has managed to complete that, there is then the Box Making Exercise, which again tests one's ability to measure and cut, but also tests how competent a student is at following instructions and folding. During this exercise, two boxes must be constructed from scratch using only blank card stock and a list of measurements. Once the boxes have been perfectly folded and turned in, one moves on to the Binding Exercise, which consists of utilizing all our on-hand methods of binding, spiral-bound, glue-bound, rivet-bound, and fancy spiral bound (which involves cutting a framing mat for the booklet). When one has completed their binding, they move onto the Postcard Project, which involves freehand cutting imagery out of magazines and spray mount them in a collage format on one side of the card and then write a message on the other side, making it look as authentic as possible. Upon finishing the postcard, one has successfully survived the torture that is Handskills Hellweek. At the very end of this unit, the students that are still remaining that have completed all of the exercises are acknowledged and rewarded for their triumphs, their winnings include either a brand new X-acto knife or sparkling new scoring tool.
By Lauren DuBose
This year's ROP graphics started off the new year with its most grueling and tedious units in its existence. Hand. Skills. Hell. Week. This incredibly challenging part of the coursework tests the expertise and dexterity of each and every student, and in doing so, separates the masters of craftsmanship from the weaklings. On average, we tend to see a decrease in the size of the class as the week goes on. Now, "what is it that sends these design hopefuls running with their tales between their legs?", you might ask, well, the week kicks off with the Cutting Exercise, which test ones ability to measure, draw straight lines, then cut said lines with an X-acto knife. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. Each of these steps must be done with computer accuracy. and if the product does not comply, the student repeats the step until perfection is achieved. Once one has managed to complete that, there is then the Box Making Exercise, which again tests one's ability to measure and cut, but also tests how competent a student is at following instructions and folding. During this exercise, two boxes must be constructed from scratch using only blank card stock and a list of measurements. Once the boxes have been perfectly folded and turned in, one moves on to the Binding Exercise, which consists of utilizing all our on-hand methods of binding, spiral-bound, glue-bound, rivet-bound, and fancy spiral bound (which involves cutting a framing mat for the booklet). When one has completed their binding, they move onto the Postcard Project, which involves freehand cutting imagery out of magazines and spray mount them in a collage format on one side of the card and then write a message on the other side, making it look as authentic as possible. Upon finishing the postcard, one has successfully survived the torture that is Handskills Hellweek. At the very end of this unit, the students that are still remaining that have completed all of the exercises are acknowledged and rewarded for their triumphs, their winnings include either a brand new X-acto knife or sparkling new scoring tool.
No comments:
Post a Comment