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Showcasing the Next Generation of Inkjet Designers

By University Inkjet Program
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Project Brief

Canon Solutions America established the University Inkjet Program (UIP) in 2019 with the mission of educating college students about digital inkjet printing, and also inspiring the next generation of graphic designers to discover what’s possible with inkjet. This program leverages partnerships with colleges and universities across the country, and blends classroom learning with on-site demonstrations at print shops that house Canon equipment.   

At the conclusion of each class, students are tasked with creating a sample multi-channel marketing campaign for a fictitious higher education institution to showcase the skills and concepts they’ve acquired. 

Solution

UIP students at Clemson University and the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) designed a series of print marketing pieces using individual brand concepts and logos to help drive undergraduate enrollment. The Clemson package featured Rainer University’s College of Arts and Sciences, and the RIT sample showcased the Colorado College of Art (COCA). 

Each sample kit included a personalized direct mailer, envelope, poster, and informational brochure about the college and campus life. 

Canon’s digital inkjet presses supported the creativity of these UIP projects with exceptional print quality and consistency across each of the sample pieces. The pieces were produced using a combination of Canon’s varioPRINT iX sheetfed inkjet press, the ProStream 1000 series web-fed inkjet press, and the ProStream 1800 series web-fed inkjet press.    

The vibrant use of color and high production value of these student projects is why Canon chose to showcase these pieces at the Canon Americas Customer Innovation Center (CIC) in Boca Raton, Florida, as outstanding examples of print sales and marketing collateral.  

These particular UIP projects also demonstrate the importance of education and hands-on learning in inspiring the next generation of innovative inkjet designers.