San Luis Obispo – Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication Department has teamed with UC Santa Barbara’s Associated Students Department to provide communication and print services for students in a learn-by-doing venture.

The endeavor pairs student-run programs at each campus: UCSB Associated Students’ marketing and advertising agency and the full-service University Graphic Systems (UGS), a hands-on, student-run/faculty-advised printing and publishing company at Cal Poly. The programs will collaborate on design, printing and other services.

“This relationship demonstrates how California State University and University of California campuses can partner in a win-win situation for students,” said Harvey R. Levenson, head of Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication Department. “This is an extension of an existing relationship between Cal Poly and CSU Northridge.”

JudyAnn Dutcher, interim art director for the UCSB program, said print communication is a key element to promoting activities and events for both groups. “Utilizing UGS as our print vendor makes sense,” she added. “Our department can take advantage of quality products for an affordable price while fostering student-learning opportunities.”

Both programs provide services to their respective universities and to selective outside entities. Projects support student education and preparation to enter the workforce. Some of the products that the programs already have collaborated on include inserts, posters and business cards. Others are planned for the future.

UCSB’s group serves as a creative entity providing graphic design services for student groups and staff. University Graphic Systems teaches students to produce printed products using some of the most modern traditional and digital technology available for prepress, press, wide-format printing and finishing services. Students in the Cal Poly program receive professional experience and credit for work performed.

“Students who gain work experience in their respective programs are ahead of the game when entering their profession,” Levenson said, “because they already have experience in things such as graphic production, marketing, sales, customer service and distribution. They know design, software, hardware and technology from a practical perspective.”