OSTC Southwest Food Truck Rally

We had the opportunity earlier this year to work with Oakland Schools Technical Campus (OSTC)'s graphic design department by sending our Lead Designer from our Novi location to their Southwest Campus in Wixom, MI. She was able to share her industry experience, and expand their knowledge on materials and machines used in a real sign shop. Since then, this outreach to the community has opened up more opportunities for collaboration:
 
Every year, Oakland Schools Technical Campus (OSTC) hosts a lively event known as the Food Truck Rally, which brings together various programs for a collaborative experience. One of the highlights of this event is from the graphic design department, which creates vibrant wraps for miniature food trucks, each measuring a little over a foot in size.
 
This year, we volunteered to help by printing the wraps and by also offering a mini workshop at our store in Novi dedicated to teaching students the art of wrapping. The students were thrilled at this opportunity, and we managed to coordinate schedules for them to visit our shop.
 
This hands on activity would allow the students to experience what life would be like working on the job as a Production, Install hand or Graphic Designer at a sign shop. Along with guidance from our shop, it gave the students an opportunity to design their wraps in advance. Giving them insight on how to design for signs, accounting for materials, sizes, bleeds or resolution, for a file that is ready for print. This glimpse into a career path that is usually unknown, making it a great way to highlight the sign industry to students looking for perspective local entry level jobs.
 
Tuesday, April 7th was the day of the event, where the magic unfolded! Two classes made the trip to our store, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. We had prepared for them the vinyl for all the mini-wraps, ensuring they were printed and plotted in advance. During the workshop, we guided the students on how to apply the vinyl, trim it effectively, and utilize the necessary tools, sharing valuable tips and tricks along the way.
 
Both classes thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and the finished trucks turned out to be absolutely adorable and fun. It’s clear that there are many creative and talented young artists at OSTC, and we are delighted to have had the opportunity to partner with them in this unique and engaging project!