How Graphic Communications Management students win prestigious award in print innovation

A group of seven students from Graphic Communications Management (GCM) are the proud winners of a ‘Best Print Design’ award presented virtually at the 15th annual Canadian Printing Awards (external link, opens in new window)  on September 23. The awards show was organized by PrintAction, a leading Canadian publication for industry news and technical articles in the Canadian printing and imaging industries.

The student team won the award for their stunning acrylic coaster designs which were created as part of a Graphic Communications Processes class (GCM121), a two-part course that provides an experiential overview of the complete graphic communications process (design, premedia, printing, binding, and finishing). The course was taught by GCM Chair and Professor Martin Habekost and lecturer Diana Varma and Jay Wong in the Winter 2021 semester. Lecturer Jay Wong taught the wide-format module of the course in which the students created the designs.

“Students were introduced to foundations of wide-format printing in the virtual course. Using leading-edge printing technology as part of an industry partnership with Ricoh has allowed students to bring their ideas to life. This was particularly exciting for our first year students who began their undergraduate journeys online,” said Wong. “All projects were printed on the Ricoh flatbed printer and shipped to students around the world, allowing them to appreciate the magic of print and hold their work in a tangible, physical format.”

The cutting-edge printer was installed in the lab in November 2020 as part of an industry partnership between The Creative School and Ricoh Canada Inc (external link, opens in new window) ., a leading supplier of digital business services and printing solutions.

Nearly 50 trophies were presented to printers and suppliers, which makes the achievement of the GCM students – Rochelle Balba, Hanna Elrayis, Masarra Haddad, Megan Knoblauch, Dylan Sahid, Kelly Tangtakoune and Kennedy Thornton­­–all the more impressive.

Mastering cutting-edge technology

Jonathon Anderson, associate chair and professor at the School of Interior Design and director of the Design + Technology Lab (opens in new window) , along with lab assistant Orit Zewge-Abubaker, printed the coasters using the Ricoh Pro TF6250 Wide Format UV LED flatbed printer. The new machine enables users to digitally produce an endless range of products on rigid substrates up to 4.3" thick, including foam core, wood, metal, acrylic, glass and more.

The project and student designs demonstrate the unique possibilities afforded by the printer, as the capability to print on rigid substrates such as acrylic was not possible prior to the installation of the Ricoh machine. The creative designs made innovative use of the clear properties of the acrylic. 

Exploring new possibilities through partnerships

The award-winning acrylic coasters help to convey the limitless creative innovation  that is made possible with industry partnerships at The Creative School.

GCM thanks Natalie Chung and Nicole Cottrell at Ricoh Canada for their generous support and partnership, and for covering submission costs for the nomination.

Eric Fletcher, Vice President, Marketing, at Ricoh Canada, noted the importance of partnering with an institution that offers Canada's only degree-granting program for print and packaging design. 

"Our partnership with Ryerson University represents a unique synergy that focuses on promoting CIP [Commercial and Industrial Print] innovations to complement and evolve alongside its creative and graphic programs," he said. "We're honoured to support Ryerson University as a recognized thought leader and educator in media and design." 

The annual awards show honours the projects, designs, companies, and individuals that pursue print excellence and innovation in Canada. The event covers four types of awards (Print Design, Printing, Technology, and Environmental) and 35+ categories divided between the award types. The awards show also honours individual achievers such as Robert Dale, a former Ryerson GCM faculty member and winner of the Community Leader of the Year Award for his mentorship efforts connecting professionals with Ryerson students.

The Creative School at Ryerson University

The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.