District News

Students receive design awards and learn about technology 

 

April, 2011

 

Six eighth grade students from Canajoharie Middle School received awards for graphic design from the Noteworthy Company in Amsterdam on April 7. The students created polyethylene Halloween bag designs for Noteworthy that were chosen for their use of good design, reaching a “target market,” and illustration.

Noteworthy president Carol Constantino presented the awards. She said that as artists, the students have the unique ability to look at life and problem solving in a creative way – and that it helps set them apart from the rest of the pack.

Student winners included: Morgan Koelbl, Sam Auriemma, Gordon Trahan, Blade Mead, Emily Fredenburg, and Mackenzie Stock.

Following the visit to Noteworthy, students traveled to Fulton Montgomery Community College to learn about technology in art with professor Bob Renda, who teaches computer animation and multi-media in the arts. He showed how animation can be done using “rotoscoping animation” software. In rotoscoping, live action video is traced to create animation that mimics the live action.

Students also learned about FMCC’s multi-media in arts programs which enables students to create interactive kiosks, interactive coloring books, public service announcements, and music soundtracks for their computer animations.

“I noticed today how excited my students were to learn about how computer animation is done using Rotoscoping software,” said middle school art teacher Michelle Egelston. “They’re all so into the technology of it all!”