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Graphic Design & IT

Overview

 

 

The Graphic Design & IT CTE serves as the creative and technical department of Porter’s Academy.

Students in this program handle all visual communication, digital design, photography, and technology support for the school — ensuring that every project, event, and announcement looks professional and runs smoothly.

 

From creating logos and flyers to maintaining student devices and troubleshooting classroom tech issues, the Graphic Design & IT CTE operates like a real-world design and technology firm inside the school.

 

This program teaches problem-solving, creativity, digital literacy, and professionalism while giving students ownership over the school’s image and digital functionality.

Daily Activities

Students in Graphic Design & IT work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that blends art, communication, and technology.

 

Each day, they are responsible for:

 

  • Designing digital media including flyers, posters, and infographics for school events, CTE promotions, and announcements.

  • Managing school communications by creating visual content for the outdoor electronic sign, school website, and internal displays.

  • Maintaining school technology, including troubleshooting iPads, MacBooks, and smart boards, checking classroom connections, and reporting tech issues to administration.

  • Capturing photography and video for the school yearbook, events, and social media posts.

  • Editing and uploading content for the Wildcat Weekly video series in partnership with the Broadcasting CTE.

  • Assisting teachers and students with Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and Canva for classroom projects.

  • Collaborating with Business Management on marketing materials, and with Student Designs CTE on apparel and merchandise mockups.

 

 

Students rotate roles weekly to ensure everyone gains experience in both creative design and IT operations.

Student Job Roles

Each Graphic Design & IT “department” functions like a small company with clearly defined leadership and project-based teams.

 

  • Manager – Assigns design and tech work orders, approves finished products, and ensures deadlines are met.

  • Assistant Manager – Maintains project lists, ensures tasks are distributed evenly, and checks quality control.

  • Technology Specialist – Troubleshoots and maintains classroom devices, tracks equipment issues, and supports teacher tech requests.

  • Logo & Graphic Designer – Creates promotional materials, logos, and branding assets for events or CTE departments.

  • Marketing & Media Researcher – Studies current design trends, reviews audience feedback, and helps refine creative direction.

  • Web & Display Coordinator – Updates school website, monitors digital displays, and refreshes visual content.

  • Yearbook Editor or Photographer – Captures photos of school activities, manages layout design, and archives digital files.

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Curriculum & Skills Focus

This course integrates WV Career Exploration standards with Porter’s Academy’s Graphic Design & IT Standards, emphasizing both technical fluency and workplace professionalism.

Core Curriculum Areas

  • Fundamentals of Graphic Design (Canva, Adobe Express, and similar tools)

  • Photography, composition, and layout

  • Color theory and branding consistency

  • Digital media management and online presentation

  • Technology troubleshooting and maintenance

  • Professional communication and client collaboration

  • Cross-department teamwork with real “clients” (teachers, staff, and students)

Sample Projects

  • Designing Logos for CTE Departments

  • Creating Flyers for School Events

  • Producing Digital Newsletters or Wildcat Weekly Graphics

  • Troubleshooting Classroom Devices & Creating Tech Guides

  • Editing and Publishing the School Yearbook

What Makes It Different

Most schools separate design and IT into elective units; Porter’s Academy combines them into a functioning creative-tech department that serves the entire building.

 

If the sign isn’t updated, a flyer isn’t printed, or a tech issue isn’t resolved — this student team fixes it. Their work is visible, practical, and critical to school operations.

 

Students gain real-world design, communication, and technology skills while learning reliability, customer service, and innovation.

Their work represents the public face of the school and the professionalism of the Porter’s Academy brand.

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