What the media is saying:

Artistic Bent?

Self-help gurus and career development pundits chant “follow your passion.” But when your interests have an artistic or creative bent it is not always easy to know in which direction to aim your passions so that a rewarding career and lifestyle will become a probability in this age of uncertainty.

“If you like art and computers, you’ll like computer graphics,” declares Shaheena Khan, a computer graphics student who is in the last four months of a 16-month vocational program. Kiyoko Bélanger believes that Computer Graphics Techniques will enable her to offer professional layout and typesetting as an interesting addition to her skill as a Japanese and English translator. As a child, Stacey Picciano used to enjoy going to her aunt’s workplace to watch her design brochures and other printing work. David Young on the other hand knew he was interested in computers but was really impressed when he saw what Photoshop and Illustrator could do. “Flash is amazing!” he says enthusiastically.

These forward-looking adults, among others ranging in age from eighteen to sixty, typify a cross-section of the current students learning and practicing new skills at Rosemount Technology Centre (RTC) in Montreal. They have decided to invest their time to develop skills which, added to their personal interests, will fulfill the well-known career equation: interest + ability = career.

Two programs in particular appeal to those of an artistic bent. They are Computer Graphics Techniques and Digital Layout & Printing offered at Rosemount Technology Centre. RTC is the only school in Quebec offering these two programs in English. Students don’t pay tuition for these Ministry-supported programs that lead to a DEP diploma. “Our students are highly-motivated adults and are here to take full advantage of this opportunity to learn new skills,” says typography and layout teacher Veronica Sangster. “You’d have to pay thousands of dollars to get this opportunity somewhere else.”

“Although 95% of pre-press and internet work is done on computers these days, we don’t require that students have any computer experience before they take the program,” explains Harold Penn, Program Coordinator. “We are here to guide them step-by-step. In fact, one of the biggest challenges facing our teachers is the varied background and skills brought to our programs through our students. We have to provide basic-level information for our novices and at the same time creatively stimulate those with considerable computer experience.” Graduates appear pleased with the programs. “I loved the course… great teachers!” says 2004 alumni Carla McGrath. “I felt a huge sense of achievement… I came in to RTC with no computer knowledge whatsoever.”

According to Centre Director Marzia Michielli, 15% of current RTC students have BA degrees. “The general knowledge they have gained in university, and the creative and technical expertise our programs give them, make for a really good marriage of skills,” she explains.

Graduates of Computer Graphics Techniques as well as Digital Layout & Printing find employment in a number of different types of industries ranging from design and advertising studios, magazine and newspaper publishers to printing companies, to name a few. Robert Kertesz, a recent graduate, is now working as the graphics person at a copy center in Montreal. “I use everything I learned at RTC,” he explains. David Bushell, graphic design company owner, has hired many RTC graduates over the years. He is “confident that RTC graduates will have the skills they need to do the job right. I need employees who understand the technical requirements of ink on paper, not just Photoshop wizards who learned the bells and whistles on their home computers.”

Students gain experience in commercial printing pre-press work, from concept through film output, as well as the design and production of web sites. Digital Layout and Printing also includes press and bindery work, providing further understanding of the technical requirements of the printing industry. Graduates from this program are ideal candidates for employment in small- to medium-sized print shops. Dawn Pelletier, Project Supervisor at Venture Graphics finds RTC student’s to be “responsible, well-trained and great to work with.”

“There is a big demand for prepress and press specialists,” says Jean Brouillet, Program Coordinator and former corporate art director for Reader’s Digest, “and figures I’ve seen show that as many as 60% of graphic designers start their own business.” Michele Andreano upgraded his prepress skills at RTC several years ago. “I learned everything, from colour theory to the software.” Now Andreano owns his own company and offers design services for the web as well as for printing.

Rosemount Technology Centre is the largest English-language vocational centre in Quebec. Six other programs besides Computer Graphics Techniques and Digital Layout & Printing are offered at this east-end vocational centre. They include Cabinetmaking, Automated Systems in Electromechanics, Industrial Drafting, Machining Techniques, and Starting a Business. These tuition-free programs of the English Montreal School Board are open to all Quebec residents who have completed Grade 10 (Secondary 4) or the equivalent. Information on career training at Rosemount Technology Centre can be found at www.rosemount-technology.qc.ca.

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