Graphic Arts Association » News

Welcome Back!

Logan Cashin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:41:22 +0000

The GAA would like to welcome back it’s members for the 2010–2011 school year. Our first general meeting will be held on Tuesday Sept 7th at 11 AM. We will be meeting in SWAN 218 as usual, and there will be free pizza! We would also like to extend an invitation to all the new and old students who would like to become members. Feel free to come to the meeting to see what we’re about, and to get any questions answered.

We will also be hosting a welcome back picnic on Thursday Sept 9th from 5:30 — 8:00 PM. The picnic will be at Prof. Smith’s house, and directions will be made available online and in SWAN 220 beginning next week. There will be free food and drink, as well as music, games, and weather permitting boat rides/swimming in the lake. If you need a ride please sign up on the sheet posted in SWAN 220 on the GAA office door.

Any questions or concern contact Logan Cashin (e-mail or 989–600-5317)

Welcome Back! is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Congrats to Mackenzie!

Tina Yahr — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:39:04 +0000

Congratulations to Mackenzie for her participation in the Skills USA National Competition in Kansas City! She brought home 4th place after a long week dedicated to Graphic Communications. You go girl!

Congrats to Mackenzie! is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

GAA Party!

Kyle Busse — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:37:56 +0000

The noids are coming Tuesday, April 27th at 11 AM. Please be there, as we will be talking about the semester and recognizing members of the GAA. There will be FREE PIZZA AND POP!

GAA Party! is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

SkillsUSA

Kyle Busse — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:53:42 +0000

SkillsUSA was a success! The competition was held on Friday and Saturday, April 15–16. 17 contestants competed in the secondary level, as well as 4 students in the post-secondary level. Students were tested on their knowledge in prepress, workflow, press, bindery, production planning, and their overall knowledge of printing.

Jim Cloudman, one of the workflow judges was reached for comment. “It was interesting to see how the students handled the challenges of the workflow competition,” explaining his surprise on how well the students did. He was one of the many judges that helped made this competition possible. Other judges included Mackenzie Thayer, Greg Wojciechowski, Tina Yahr, Brandon Martinez, Kameron James, and Logan Cashin.

Ferris State University and Graphic Arts Association alumni Amela Mujkic and James O’Gorman were spotted at the competition judging the production planning and press, respectively. They were welcomed by current students and professors, sharing stories and jokes. Mujkic also showed everyone a copy of Entertainment Weekly that included a video within the magazine, in which everyone was awestruck by the sight.

In the end, everybody was proud of themselves for making it through the competition. Though tired, the contestants gave each other a round of applause for competing and the advisors congratulated them for representing their high school and college. For the post-secondary level, Mackenzie Thayer took the gold, followed by Kyle Busse taking the silver and Josh Bunker taking the bronze. Nanette Binagatan, the fourth contestant, didn’t place, but she was glad that she had the chance to compete. Thayer will go on to compete in Nationals, which will happen June 20-25th of this year.

Not to be forgotten, the competitors and advisors gave Pat Klarecki a huge “thank you” for making the Graphic Communications competition possible. His hard work and dedication to SkillsUSA is noteworthy, and he will build on this years competition to make a better competition for next year.

SkillsUSA is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Mini Composites Are Here

Kyle Busse — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:22:40 +0000

The mini composites are here, feel free to pick one up. They are located in the GAA office.

Mini Composites Are Here is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Please Don’t Mind the Dust…

Brandon Martinez — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 06:17:06 +0000

As you can tell, the web site is currently being updated (appearance). This should be done by the end of the day. If you cannot find something, please contact either me or Logan, and we’ll be more than happy to help you locate the resource you need. Thank you for your patience.

Please Don’t Mind the Dust… is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Site Maintenance

GAA Web Site Administrator — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 04:30:56 +0000

As a notice, the site may be unavailable for a few hours tonight (or only partially functional). Thank you for your patience. Site Maintenance is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Site Maintenance is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

A Couple Updates

Logan Cashin — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:58:55 +0000

If you haven’t already noticed, there are a couple changes going on with the site, and the GAA in general. I’ve added a new tab on the top navigation bar that will have all of the minutes from our various meetings. The side bar has two new links as well. One if for the digital version of our GAA handbook for new members, and the other is a link to our weekly agenda for our general meetings.

We have lots of other great things planned to make the web site better, and to get more information out in the open for the public and our members. Brandon is working on changing the theme of the website around to be more like a site and less like a blog, and hopes to have it done by the end of the semester. And I will be working on assembling several documents on how to utilize all of our services to make it easier to stay in touch, and up to date, with the GAA

A Couple Updates is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Spring Job Fair 2010

Kyle Busse — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:49:59 +0000

My fellow printers,

In case you haven’t heard, there is a Job Fair coming up this Thursday at Wink Arena from 11AM — 3PM. There are going to be two companies that are geared toward printing, QuadGraphics and Consolidated. Talk to other companies to see if the offer positions in printing related departments.

Dress for success and bring your student ID with you to gain entrance.

Spring Job Fair 2010 is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Cartoon Composite

Jim Cloudman — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:51:33 +0000

Can you find yourself, or better yet guess them all?

Cartoon Composite is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Yes They Fit in a Roladex…

Logan Cashin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:12:37 +0000

Business Cards are in!

They will be available for pickup tomorrow from 8–12 AM and again from 4:30–5:00 PM. You can also get them Tuesday at the meeting, or until 3:15. If you won’t be able to be in during any of those times please let me know and I will make sure your cards get to you.

Yes They Fit in a Roladex… is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Griffins Game Trip Canceled

Logan Cashin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:30:16 +0000

The Griffins Game Trip has been canceled due to lack of interest/drivers. Griffins Game Trip Canceled is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Griffins Game Trip Canceled is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Business Cards!

Logan Cashin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:55:10 +0000

GAA business cards are right around the corner! Make sure you don’t miss out on this chance to get some high quality business cards printed by submitting your information no later than Thursday the 4th at midnight*. Below you will find the different designs available, and the form to fill out.

Click here for the form!

If there are any issues please contact Logan Cashin

*Cards available to paid GAA members only. Quantities up to 50 total cards will be paid for by the GAA. Amounts over 50 must be paid for by the member at the quoted price of 9¢ per card upon delivery.

Business Cards! is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Ferris State University Haitian Earthquake Relief Effort

Kyle Busse — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:37:34 +0000

Help support the Haitian Earthquake Relief Effort by making a donation. Make all checks payable to: American Red Cross with a designation for the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund and send or deliver donations to:

Vice President of Student Affairs

CSS313B

Ferris State University

1201 S State St

Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University Haitian Earthquake Relief Effort is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Picture Time

Kyle Busse — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:24:52 +0000

I forgot to address this at the general meeting, but the Vantine pictures are going to be on JANUARY 22nd FROM 12:30 TO 1:30 PM. If you can’t make it during these times, please see me.

Please sign up as soon as possible. The link is available below.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/a/graphicartsassociation.com/ccc?key=tNoWJZWUKSWxyYEi7797r0A

Picture Time is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Welcome Back! GAA Meeting Tomorrow

Kyle Busse — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:58:57 +0000

Hope you had a great winter break.

There will be a GAA General Meeting tomorrow at 11AM in SWAN 218. We will be going over who we are and what our plans are for the future as an organization. If you know anybody that is interested in being in the GAA, please tell them about this meeting.

I look forward to seeing the returning members, as well as (fingers crossed) new members.

Best of all, there will be FREE PIZZA!

Welcome Back! GAA Meeting Tomorrow is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

New E-Board Members Meeting Tonight in SWAN 218 @ 6:00 PM

Kevin Cooper — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:13:00 +0000

SWAN 218 6:00 PM

We will be addressing any concerns you might have as well as sharing our experiences. Please arrive with some ideas in hand of how you will advance your position to make this THE BEST E-BOARD EVER!!!

New E-Board Members Meeting Tonight in SWAN 218 @ 6:00 PM is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Cookie Dough Is HERE!

Tina Yahr — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:07:07 +0000

Our cookie dough orders arrived this morning, come to the swan building to pick them up! My car is parked back by the loading bridge and I will be distributing the boxes around 3pm. Please come and get your orders TODAY!

Thank You!

–Tina

Cookie Dough Is HERE! is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Thank You, Jerry White!

Amela Mujkic — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:46:02 +0000

A BIG thank you to Jerry White from Gilson Graphics for coming in to speak at our annual GAA banquet. We enjoyed your stories about printing, looking at the various print samples, and the advice to future students. We sincerely appreciate everything that you have done for us. Thanks Jerry!

Thank You, Jerry White! is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Join Us for the GAA Banquet

Kevin Cooper — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:48:27 +0000

Jerry White from Gilson Printing will be our guest speaker and we will be announcing next years e-board

Join Us for the GAA Banquet is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

GAA Pins Now Available

GAA Web Site Administrator — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:42:40 +0000

The GAA Pins have finally arrived! If you would like to purchase one, please contact Bhumin or use the PayPal form below. They are $7 each.

GAA Pins Now Available is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Mock Interviews

Kevin Cooper — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:08:08 +0000

Thursday November 18th 2009

Bill Jones will be hosting a mock interview seminar in the

IRC (Starbucks Building) Room 120 from

7:00 to 9:00 pm

Bring your listening ears and the questions that you fear the most!

Mock Interviews is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Eboard Election 2010: Videos

GAA Web Site Administrator — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:24:27 +0000

Here are the videos from your candidates. Please watch them and see what they have to say for their campaign. If you still have not voted, please check out this past post.

Videos available after the jump.

President

Kyle Busse

Tom Walker

Vice President

Tina Yahr

Secretary

Sam Carroll

Mackenzie Thayer

Treasurer

Nanette Binagatan

Jennie Blasingame

Josh Bunker

Commissioner at Large

Logan Cashin

Eboard Election 2010: Videos is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

URGENT: Vertis Communications Tour CANCELLED!!

Kyle Busse — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:46:14 +0000

For those of you that were signed up and were planning to go on the tour to Vertis Communications on Thursday November 19th, it has been cancelled. Sorry for the inconvience this may have caused. URGENT: Vertis Communications Tour CANCELLED!! is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

URGENT: Vertis Communications Tour CANCELLED!! is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

2010 Eboard Voting

GAA Web Site Administrator — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:00:11 +0000

Follow the more link at the bottom of this post to vote for the Eboard. You must be signed in to your Graphic Arts Association Google account (if not, you will be redirected to the Google signin). If you cannot view the form, you can also view it here. If you have any trouble logging in or using the form, please contact Brandon.

UPDATE: Voting has closed. Results will be shared at the banquet next week.

2010 Eboard Voting is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

There Will Be Some Empty Seats This Week

Kevin Cooper — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:30:51 +0000

On Tuesday, November 17th, many of the seniors are expected to attend a field trip to Chromaticity and Foremoest Graphics in Grand Rapids. This will make for a small group during our regularly scheduled meeting time. However, ALL NOMINEES MUST ATTEND THE MEETING AND GIVE THEIR SPEECH. Kameron will be setting up the camera and recording them so that those of us that could not attend will have an opportunity to hear what you have to say. Remember, no longer than 3 minutes on what makes you a good candidate for the position.

There Will Be Some Empty Seats This Week is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Election Speeches

Kevin Cooper — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:41:15 +0000

I’d like to say I’m sorry to all of those people that hate public speaking, but I’m not. If your going to be on the E-board, public speaking is not only expected, but required,weekly. Nominees need to prepare a 3 minute speech to give during Tuesdays meeting. Be respectful, and try not to run over another persons allotted time. Following the meeting Brandon will make voting available to all GAA members electronically, because he is cool like that. Voting will stay open til Wednesday at midnight just in case you are having a difficult time deciding who the best candidate for Commissioner at Large is.

Speeches shall go in the following order:

Commissoner at Larges
Treasurers
Secretaries
Vice Presidents
Presidents

Election Speeches is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

The Dieline

Tom Walker — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:25:47 +0000

This site is pretty radical. Not only does it feature beautiful design, it helps keep the print industry alive.

“Established in 2007 by Andrew Gibbs, The Dieline is dedicated to the progress of the package design industry and its practitioners, students and enthusiasts. Its purpose is to define and promote the world’s best examples of packaging, and provide a place where the package design community can review, critique and stay informed of the latest industry trends and design projects being created in the field.”

The next time someone tell you print is dead, just guide them to the nearest grocery store.

The Dieline is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Internships

Tom Walker — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:40:28 +0000

Hey everybody, if you’re in need of an internship this summer it’s never too early to start looking. The GAA has many connections with people in the industry, and ways to help you land the internship you want. Here is another resource that you can use to find companies and learn about internship requirements. Its a snazzy page put together by Conati thats rather difficult to get to, but here’s a link to make it easy:

Again, it’s never too early to start looking.

Internships is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

We Want You to Nominate Next Years E-Board

Kevin Cooper — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:09:16 +0000

During this weeks General Assembly meeting we will be nominating those that we would like to see lead our organization towards greatness. Who will you choose?

We Want You to Nominate Next Years E-Board is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Mr. Watson, Come Here, I Want You: GAA + Google Voice!

Brandon Martinez — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:38:38 +0000

As of today, the Graphic Arts Association has a voicemail box through Google Voice!

There are many benefits to using this Google service, such as:

Having the ability to give a standard phone number to industry leaders and contacts
We can have this one number forward to multiple phones. For example, we could have the eboard as a forwarding list
Voicemail is accessible through the web. This will allow us to check any voicemails online. Additionally, Google transcribes each message, so we will have them in a text format as well
To learn more, visit the Google Voice Feature Page

As shown in the picture above, you can now reach an eboard member through one standard phone number: (231) 660‑1422. We look forward to using this technology!

For those of you wondering, the title comes from Alexander Graham Bell.

Mr. Watson, Come Here, I Want You: GAA + Google Voice! is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Blast From the Past: GAA Web Site

Brandon Martinez — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:34:36 +0000

A lot of work has been put into the current GAA web site, and there are still more features planned for the future. As a look back, you visit the GAA web site that existed before the current one. Click on the image below to jump to the old web site.

Now, even though it looks out-dated, there are a few features that the old site has that will be implemented on the new site. For example:

Current Members: it would be great for organizations to be able to see our current members. We will implement this in the very near future, along with a GAA Alumni list (showing past members, and hopefully, what they’re doing now).
Photo Galleries: currently, our site is lacking an actual photo gallery. We do have a Flickr account, but it is lacking updates. Speaking of, if anyone has any photos they’d liked to share, please email the photo group.
Industry Resources: this is actually awesome, and we definitely will be bringing these to you before the end of 2009. We plan to have links to industry leaders, scholarships, resume builders, and job sites.

Sure we’ve come a long way, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. Keep an eye on the site for the numerous features we have planned!

P.S. Make sure you take a look at the video on the bottom of the About Us page from the old web site!

Update: Thanks to GAA/FSU alumnus Brad Bitzer on pointing out these even older versions of the web site:

Blast From the Past: GAA Web Site is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

The GAA Web Site: Now Mobile!

Brandon Martinez — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:02:47 +0000

If you would like to check up on the GAA while you’re on the go, you can now view the web site on your mobile devices. If you have an iPhone/iPod Touch, Blackberry, Palm Pre, or Android-based phone, you’ll be able to view the optimized mobile web site. From here, you’ll be able to see all recent posts, access the contact page, read about the GAA, and access GAA Service information (how to connect with calendar, mail, and docs).

For screen shots, view the gallery below; or, you can navigate to this web site on your mobile device!

If you have any questions regarding this feature, please feel free to contact our Commissioner at Large.

The GAA Web Site: Now Mobile! is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

GAA Reaches Out With Social Networking, Podcasts

Jim Cloudman — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:19:25 +0000

This year, the Graphic Arts Association is placing a greater emphasis on connecting with people not only within the print industry, but new-comers and potential student recruits. To accomplish this, the GAA is establishing a presence across social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, while launching a brand-new website. The new website will become a central hub for its members, as well as any industry leaders, students, or other people interested in learning more about the GAA’s activities; the site will feature podcasts and talkcasts (podcasts recorded live, similar to a radio talk show), blog posts from members on current topics, and much more.

Beginning in September, the GAA will hold monthly events dedicated to some of the hottest topics in print and new media. These will cover topics ranging from graphic design and web development to marketing and photography. The events will be presented by enthusiastic students, knowledgeable professors, and perhaps the occasional guest speaker, sharing their tips and tricks that GAA members and others would like to learn about.

Events will be recorded into podcasts that can be listened to on our website or downloaded to your iPod or other favorite media device. Students as well as people in the printing industry can listen from anywhere, discuss the topics on our website, and even “call in” to live talkcasts to partake in the discussion live.

The Ferris State University Graphic Arts Association is a professional student organization dedicated to helping its members connect with the printing industry, promoting Ferris State’s printing program and aiding the students in their studies.

GAA Reaches Out With Social Networking, Podcasts is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

Your New GAA Web Site Login

Brandon Martinez — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 06:03:19 +0000

After some serious programming, I was able to build a plugin for the GAA web site that will allow members to login using their GAA email address and password. To do this, go to the GAA Web Site login page, enter your GAA email address and password, and hit login. There is no need to register for a new account or anything of that sort. This account will be bound to your GAA email, so if you update your password in Gmail, your password will automatically be updated on the web site.

Please take the time to do this, update your profile, and add any additional information you like. We will be taking advantage of this over this next school year, so it will be important to have this setup. Thank you!

Your New GAA Web Site Login is a post from: Graphic Arts Association

GAA Web Site: Growing Faster and Stronger

Brandon Martinez — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:44:54 +0000

If you haven’t noticed, the GAA web site has been going under some major revisions. We have been hard at work optimizing the site to bring you more relevant content regarding our organization, our school, and our industry. Please be patient as we continue to make this huge updates, and be sure to check back often to see all of the exciting changes.

As a teaser, here are some of the features we plan on offering:

Links to relevant industry web sites and blogs
An online archive of any Talk Casts that we do
Eventually, we hope to be bringing a (possibly) weekly Podcast, taking input from you for topics
And of course, much more!

GAA Web Site: Growing Faster and Stronger is a post from: Graphic Arts Association