Student Designs | Porter

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Student Designs

The Student Designs CTE — known as Wildcat Designs, or "Your Mascot" Designs — is the creative production and entrepreneurship hub of Porter’s Academy.

Students operate a fully functioning school store and custom product design shop, where they create apparel, gifts, signage, décor items, promotional materials, and merchandise for students, staff, athletics, and community partners.

From managing inventory to designing apparel, fulfilling work orders, and packaging products, Student Designs transforms student creativity into real-world business experience.

Students learn graphic design, marketing, manufacturing, customer service, and small-business operations — all through authentic daily responsibilities.

Daily Responsibilities in Our Building

Wildcat Designs runs like a real design-and-production business inside the school. Students rotate through tasks in both the School Store and the Design Shop, including:

Product & Customization

Creating designs in Canva for shirts, hoodies, decals, tumblers, and accessories
Operating equipment such as:
- Cricut vinyl cutters
- Heat press machines
- Sublimation printers
- Embroidery machine (if applicable)
Producing custom orders for staff, events, and athletics
Completing work orders submitted by teachers or other CTEs

School Store Operation

Running the in-school store during designated times
Restocking shelves, organizing displays, and tracking low inventory
Creating new product ideas based on student demand
Setting up seasonal displays and product bundles
Recording sales, expenses, and profit/loss in Excel
Pricing items based on material cost and profit margins
Preparing receipts and packaging for customer pickup
Managing supply lists and submitting purchase requests through Business Management

Marketing & Promotion

Designing promotional graphics and advertisements
Photographing new products for the school website or flyers
Running “Product of the Week/Month” campaigns
Tracking feedback and sales trends

Customer Service & Engagement

Taking customer orders (students, staff, CTE programs)
Following scripts to communicate professionally with clients
Packaging orders attractively and on time
Creating appreciation cards or thank-you inserts for larger orders
Collaborating with Home Economics for packaging treats or event favors

Student Job Roles

Each student serves in a defined role that aligns with real small-business structure.

Leadership Roles

Manager
Assistant Manager
Safety Manager
Store Manager (exclusive to Student Designs)

Product Design & Customization Team

Apparel Designer
Graphics Specialist
Vinyl & Heat Press Technician
Sublimation Technician
Embroidery or Sewing Specialist

Custom Orders & Bulk Production Team

Order Processing Coordinator
Production Assistant
Quality Control Lead
Packaging & Fulfillment Specialist

Marketing & Sales Team

Product Photographer
Social Media Graphics Designer (co-managed with Graphic Design & IT)
Promotions Coordinator
Display & Merchandising Specialist

Business Operations & Financial Team

Pricing Analyst
Inventory Manager
Excel & Data Lead
Procurement Liaison (works with Business Management)

Customer Service & School Engagement Team

Sales Associate
Customer Support Clerk
Events & Fundraising Assistant
Appreciation & Packaging Assistant

Curriculum Focused & Skills Learned

The Student Designs CTE integrates Career Exploration standards with Porter’s Academy’s Student Designs Standards, including:

What Makes It Different

Student Designs is not a “pretend” entrepreneurship class — it is a real business operated by middle school students.

Every product, sale, and deadline teaches responsibility, customer service, creativity, and professionalism.

Students see the full cycle of business:

Idea → Design → Production → Marketing → Sale → Fulfillment → Profit Analysis

They collaborate with:

Graphic Design & IT for visual assets
Business Management for pricing, expenses, and receipts
Home Economics for packaging and special-order treats
Sports Management for athletic fan gear
Broadcasting for product commercials and ads

Student Designs shows that middle schoolers can manage operations that rival real small businesses.

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