A story of success

Design class proves invaluable tool for local print shop

BY JOHN UNDERWOOD john@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 8/30/16

ROBERTSDALE - Not everybody has a job waiting for them when they graduate from high school, but whether you'd call it a happy accident or by "design" that's exactly what happened to Jennifer …

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A story of success

Design class proves invaluable tool for local print shop

Posted

ROBERTSDALE - Not everybody has a job waiting for them when they graduate from high school, but whether you'd call it a happy accident or by "design" that's exactly what happened to Jennifer Mitchell.

The 206 Graphics Design class has been in operation at Robertsdale High School for seven years now and Mitchell might just be one of its biggest success stories.

Instructor Michael McCrady teaches two classes at RHS, multimedia design, which is an introductory course open to students in all grades, and multimedia publications, which is comprised mainly of juniors and seniors.

The graphics class is limited to 15 students. After completing the course, McCrady said, students are eligible to receive Adobe certification.

Mitchell is one of the graduates from the program who received that certification.

Daryl Evans and partner Greg Banks opened The Hub Design & Print Shop on Highway 59 (Chicago Street) in Robertsdale in March of this year.

Shortly before the end of the last school year, RHS Principal Joe Roh offered to give a tour of the school's design class in hopes of developing a partnership between the business and the school.

"So far it has been a huge success," McCrady said.

In the process of conducting the interview, McCrady said, Evans asked if there was anyone graduating from the program that would be available for hire. Mitchell filled the bill.

"She has been a tremendous asset to our business," Evans said. "Basically, she is now our production manager. She's done a great job and stepped up and done whatever we've needed her to do."

McCrady and Evans said there are plans to further the relationship between the school and the print shop.

The Hub will be providing assistance for this year's senior project and will also be looking to utilize students from the school to provide part-time help, filling in on projects when needed.

"This is something that will have a positive impact, both for the school and for our business," Evans said. "We'll be able to get some help when needed and be able to provide some positive feedback for the program. It is definitely a win-win situation for us."