"Sustainable Packaging" will become a major theme taught in Graphic Design classes at The Art Institute of California -- Los Angeles during the Winter Quarter 2007 starting Jan. 8, 2007, in Santa Monica, California.
Instructor Suzannah Mathur, who has a master's degree in Sustainable Product Design, will teach a class specifically on sustainable packaging to help make designers more knowledgeable about the choices they have. Mathur explains, "Packaging accounts for most of waste. [The content of a package] will break before its package does."
Current Graphic Design students taking a course in brand identity have had preliminary exposure to sustainable practices in design. As a project, the class designed logos for clients, such as The City of Santa Monica. Students were asked to create the City's logo using soy ink and biodegradable materials to promote its efforts to meet its human and environmental needs both now and in future years.
Susanne Manheimer, Academic chair of the Graphic Design Department, said, "Students will create packaging that reminds, re-enforces and re-invents awareness of the sustainable. A problem demands awareness. We can generate awareness but need to take the next step and find a solution," said Manheimer.
Students enrolled in the Graphic Design program at The Art Institute of California -- Los Angeles may earn associate's or bachelor's degrees. They develop skills in design, illustration, drawing and typography using industry-specific computer software programs and be current with market trends and professional presentation.
Professionals and students interested in the Graphic Design program may contact the Admissions Office at (310) 752-4700 and ask for an admissions representative or email ailaadm@aii.edu.
The Art Institute of California-- Los Angeles is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with 32 education institutions located throughout North America. The parent company of The Art Institutes, Education Management Corp. (www.edmc.com) providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
