A renovated digital design studio that Marist High School students use for web design, digital photography and graphic design opened recently, according to a press release from the school in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community.
The lab features the latest Adobe design software, modern furniture, a display space and work stations and allows students to use the latest technology, the release said.
“We’re committed to providing challenging curriculum paired with relevant technology and innovative space,” Marist Principal Larry Tucker said in the release. “Marist promises ‘education for time and eternity,’ and that means using the tools of the time to instill lifelong curiosity and problem-solving skills.”
Marist seeks to offer hands-on experiences to students that can prepare them for higher education and life, the release said.
The use of digitally aided design is growing annually, and more than 300,000 graphic designers work in the United States alone, earning a median starting salary of $45,500, the release said, citing estimates from the American Institute of Graphic Artists.
The renovated studio has seating for 28. The teacher’s desk and computer connect to two 70-inch monitors for displaying lessons and artwork, the release said, and a 90-inch piece of Clarus dry erase glass lines the wall.
“The results of the design lab exceeded my expectations. The design of the space feels like a professional design and photo studio,” visual arts curriculum coordinator Rita Ator said in the release. “The students can sense the significance of the room. It inspires them to explore their ideas, work on projects and collaborate with each other.”
Marist plans to further advance its technology offerings, both in transforming space and by integrating pioneering curriculum changes, the release said. The upgrades are made possible thanks to the generosity of donors, it said.
