It’s important for students to learn modern digital printing processes and understand the impact these processes have on society.
While this includes offset lithography, digital, and screen printing processes, it can also include new fabrication technologies like 3D printing and laser etching.
Just as the original printing press disrupted the printing industry, 3D printers are doing the same today. Printing is expanding beyond data and ink to include actual materials, like plastics, rubber-like materials, metals, and even food. Material options and printing speeds will only get better and faster as the industry continues to innovate.
3D scanning is another new technologies that adds a layer of hands-on learning that allows students to visualize objects and learn how their three dimensional designs are made possible.
It’s particularly important for high school CTE graphic communication arts programs to expose students to these types of technologies so that they gain a basic awareness and understanding before their post-secondary education.
Many post-secondary art schools have already embraced these technologies. For example, last year we worked with local artist Emily Biondo on an exhibit she presented at American University in Washington, D.C. She used CAD design software and a 3D printer to reinvent the interpretation of classical literature in an interactive installation.
3D printing is also helping students at Ptratt Institute School of Architecture conceptualize and build 3D printed study models.
These students say 3D printing allowed them to be more confident in pursuing this project because they knew they had a way to build it. This is a common theme we see across high school and post-secondary arts classes.
The teaching technologies of today allow students to design without having to consider how feasible the creation process will be, which has always been the limiting part of design. Technologies like 3D printing, 3D scanning, and laser cutting are essentially making the design process limitless.
Just look at New York Fashion Week 2016. Fashion designers threeASFOUR debuted two new spectacular 3D printed dresses unlike anything made before.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uhR1NFbtL0
This isn’t unique to the fashion industry. Innovative technologies are completely changing the face of design, printing, marketing, business, architecture and interior design, art preservation, and a wide range of other arts-related industries.
