The Open Publishing Lab (OPL) recently opened and is working on launching their first projects, The Social Networking Game and Innovation News at the Imagine RIT Festival (May 3rd). The lab is ran by student researchers and professors to create a center that focuses on researching new methods of content creation and developing innovative applications to publish across various media. They hope to establish an agenda within RIT’s school of print media, which would ultimately result in the creation of innovative publishing solutions that would help to connect and extend existing publishing solutions.

The lab has been working hard for the past weeks to prepare for the Imagine Festival, their ultimate project. This Thursday they are holding an Open House so students can explore the projects and works the lab is focusing on. Stop by and learn more about the students, professors and projects!

To learn more visit their website: Open Publishing Lab

Community Darkroom’s book Sharper Image was just recently completed and distributed among its contributors in the past weeks. Community Darkroom is an organization through Genesee Center for the Arts and Education, in which inner city students (7th-9th) learn about black and white photography. Wilson Foundation Academy Photo Club hosts the program to allow students to explore the wonders of photography and be apart of a larger project. The students learn how to composite, shoot, and mate photos over sixteen weeks through field trips around the city.

PUB has been working with Community Darkroom for several years now, providing workshops on scanning, InDesign and Photoshop. They show the students how to layout their images and add text. Several PUB members work with the project each year and fulfill the demands of project manager and production manager. Along with offering workshops, PUB also oversees the printing of the book with the help of Xerox. Xerox donates all the press time for the body of the book to be printed. This was the first year the book was created as a case bound book, a large leap for the organization.

The book was given out to all the students and volunteers on April 4 at the award ceremony. Students also received a camera for their participation in the program. The students find the experience extremely awarding and having a positive impact in all aspects. The book reflects the student’s lives and tell a story about each individual one, an aspiring accomplishment. PUB annually contributes to this rewarding program, hoping to bring inspiration to the teenagers’ lives.

The School of Print Media requires their students to complete two semesters (20 weeks) of co-ops to further their education and career. Students are given the chance to work almost anywhere and with any company, but very few experience working on a cruise ship. Our school yearly recruits a few students to work aboard the world famous Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth 2. James Wegner, James Kase and, soon to deport, Crystal Pavlak were able to enjoy this experience and travel the world while pursing their career.

James Kase (4th year New Media Publishing) has cruised the seas, and soon to return, as the Assistant Printer aboard Queen Elizabeth 2, The Most Famous Ocean Liner in the World. Crystal (Graphic Media Student) will soon being on The Queen Elizabeth as well, come fall quarter 2008. James Wegner (3rd year New Media Publishing) is also on the seas as the Chief Printer on the Queen Victoria.

As a freshman I was intrigued by this opportunity and wanted to really see what all it entailed. I personally hope to travel one day and see the world, and I knew this co-op provided that chance. As for Crystal, Wegner and Kase they also shared this desire. Wegner commented, “One of the reasons why I chose to come to RIT was for this co-op. The main attraction for me was not just seeing the world, but also knowing I would be learning priceless life lessons, along with obviously gaining hands on experience in the print field.” Kase added, “It gave me a feeling of accomplishment, knowing that I printed something that would be used the same, or next day.”

The process begins in fall quarter every year. You fill out an application and sign up for an interview. The interview is usually ran by a few staff faculty along with current and/or former Chief Printers for Cunard. They make their decision and hire the best candidates. I asked Crystal how to prepare, and what to expect from the interview, “I think the main thing they are looking for are mature people, with a strong work ethic. The passengers on the ship pay a huge portion of money to be there, and they want to have people working that can handle themselves well. You also have to work everyday under deadlines, so if you don’t work hard, you probably won’t do well.”

As the associate or chief printer, the hours are long and you have complete control and responsibility over the printers. Both Wegner and Kase found these aspects one of their favorite characteristics of the job: “I love the fact that I know that I am in complete control. Not too many places in this world would place this amount of responsibility into such a young persons hands,” Wegner stated. But with work, comes play and not to mention you are aboard a gigantic cruise liner: “You may work 10-12 hours a day. Even though I worked so much, it didn’t seem like it because I was having just as much fun” (Kase). Spending six months on the ship allowed Kase and Wegner to develop many long lasting relationships. Kase spoke out commenting on this aspect, “My other favorite part of the job is the people that you meet. You learn a lot about a people by the way they are instead of the place where they are from. I try to stay in touch with them as often as I can.”

I was curious to find out where both Kase and Wegner have traveled, to me this was one of the most interesting aspects of the co-op. Wegner is currently on the World Cruise and has been to ports in the US, Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, South Asia, and will be heading back to Europe shortly. Kase has visited Egypt, England, Iceland, Norway, France, Belgium, Croatia, Spain, Italy, Turkey,and Canada.

Both commented that this experience has taught them more about their selves: “I’ve learned that there is more to the world than Long Island and upstate New York. Getting to know people from other countries is a lot of fun and you learn a lot” (Kase). Wegner added, “Just being away from everything and everyone that you know for 7 months can do that to a person.” Along with creating their own self-identity, both gained valuable time management skills and independent thinking. Kase confirmed, “I learned that you have to schedule your fun around your work. There is time for everything; you just need to make time for it. This also attributed to my work ethic. I work until everything is done, so I can relax as much as possible. The sooner you get the work done, the more time you have to plan what you want to do at the next port.”

“Don’t think twice about it. I think that no matter who you are or where you come from, you stand to gain a lot from this (Wegner). This isn’t one of your usual co-ops. The work you do is seen and used the next day. You do make a difference and make an impact on the place where you work. It’s a lot of hard work at times, but it is definitely worth it for the memories and experience you get from it (Kase).”

To conclude, I think James Wegner sums up the opportunity the best—“This is the experience of a lifetime, and a story that very few are able to tell.”

The national co-ed fraternity of the graphic arts, Gamma Epsilon Tau, wants you! During the past two weeks, GET has held rush activities to attract new brothers and sisters to its prestigious ranks.

After hearing about GET, I was interested in seeing what the fellowship is about. I attended a brief “meet and greet” session last Wednesday, and liked it enough to come back for a GET game night this week in the SAU. I was met both times with an enthusiastic and welcoming group. Membership Chair Tiffani Williams says that she looks forward to having new members join them.

Gamma Epsilon Tau has several collegiate chapters across the country. The Zeta Chapter of GET was founded at RIT in 1955 and has gone through much change since then, just as the print media industry has. Our Zeta Chapter organizes and participates in many activities both on and off campus, such as the Adopt-a-Highway program. The largest GET event is the annual Alumni Pig Roast in the spring. The event features food, drinks, and fun, and will take place on April 26 this year at Stewart Lodge at Mendon Ponds Park.

GET has a rich history here at RIT, and you can continue the tradition as a brother or sister!