Working hard together all of fall semester 2009, ECC’s graphic design students created the logo for the Sierra Club’s “Zero Waste” Project, Andrea Micallef, instructor of design and visual communication, said.

28 students were given the opportunity to work with a client to produce a packaged set of items for the “Zero Waste” project, Micallef said. The packaged item they designed include original artwork for the logo, letterhead, envelope, business card, 3 different postcards, and a book detailing the process of each item.

“There was an incredible amount of work the students put in,” Micallef said. The students were all required to design their own package of items, and from the choices, the client, Sierra Club, chose the top 3.

From the top 3, another round of editing was required, and this was done with the help of every student, Micallef said. Not only were the students able to have hands on experience creating their own designs but they also did group work.

“Most projects are individually done so working in a group and all collaborating together with different ideas is inspirational,” Eddie Won, 24, graphic design major, said.

Working with a client required the students to not only be creative but also blend their ideas into the needs and requests of the client, Won said. The whole process from the beginning to the end took 5 weeks.

“There is even more work if your design is chosen,” Cristalle Kishi, 27, graphic design major, said. Kishi was one of the few students, who through this experience acquired an internship with Fandango.

“Our community needs to realize what a strong design program we have here at El Camino,” Micallef said. The program offers students real life experience to prepare them for the future.

In many schools, students have to compete to get into the design program, Micallef said. For example, CSU Long Beach last semester only accepted 13 applicants out of close to 200.

“Lately, we’ve been getting a lot more notoriety, and just last week the art center wanted to meet us because we send over so many top students,” Micallef said. The project not only helped the students but the environment as well.

The logo they created will used on various products, including the southern California Sierra Club newsletter, which will be distributed to 48,000 people, Micallef said.

“I’m really proud of our students,” Micallef said. “I truly believe that they are the best.”

Through recycling, and being energy efficient, the “Zero Waste” project aims to raise public awareness about reducing waste through the next 10 years.

“The project helps the environment and it is important to reach beyond the circle,” Micallef said. Students were also helped through their participation in this project.

Currently the students have just finished working on a new project for the St. Francis Church, Won said. Once again they work together to strive for more experience.

“Every student in this program is prepared for success, whether it is to continue on to another school, or a job in the industry,” Micallef said. “The point is to help prepare the students for real world design jobs.”