FORT PIERCE — Despite a sagging economy, graphic design using digital media is booming.

“Over 10,000 new jobs in graphic design become available in Florida each year,” said Jose Farinos, dean of advanced technology at Indian River State College. “And over 6,000 of them require a two-year college degree.”

That leaves IRSC sitting in the catbird seat, with a digital graphic design degree program that is accumulating students at a rapid pace. Enrollment in the past two years in the Digital Media Institute increased by 33 percent, from 116 to 154 students between 2005 and fall 2008, and hundreds more taking courses in specific software packages such as DreamWeaver, Flash and Photoshop.

The institute offers intensive training in animation, video, Web design and graphics. The intent is to teach marketable skills that can be used in a variety of jobs, or even in a single job.

“You learn to be several departments all rolled into one person,” said student Bryan Snyder, 24, who entered the program intending to be a videographer.

This meets the demand of the many small- and medium-sized businesses along the Treasure Coast that need employees who can do more than one thing. It also helps if your job is cut and you want to enter a new field, Snyder said.

Marjorie Shropshire is already an award-winning graphic designer for an advertising firm in Vero Beach.

“I attend classes to enhance my own skills,” she said. “For instance, I design Web sites, but it is important for me to learn how Web sites are developed as well and integrate that into my plan.”

Julie Kendall, 24, plans to get a bachelor’s degree when she finishes at IRSC.

“I want to be able to do ads, logos, menus, wedding invitations — anything to do with print,” she said. “These courses are perfect for me. You stand a much better chance of getting a job if you can walk in and show you can do all these things.”

Walt Hines, a graphic design teacher at the college, said a lot of his students are already earning money as freelancers or getting internships while they take classes. Students have created posters for upcoming theater performances, menus for local restaurants and Web sites for local stores.

At a recent Treasure Coast AdFed competition, 13 IRSC digital media students took home awards. Stacy Givens won the Best in Show for her Sunrise Theatre poster.

By Susan Burgess

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 at 9:17 am and is filed under Economy, Fort Pierce, Indian River County, St. Lucie County, Treasure Coast business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.