What is better than creating stickers of your own?

Project-based learning with Mr. Mattingly in VisCom.

Erick Rodea, Staff Writer

Stickers are things that always have a meaning to them, whether it is a positive sticker, a love sticker, or a cut-out sticker of a car you like. No matter what it is, it has a meaning behind it.

Mr. Mattingly, the Visual Communications teacher, teaches students how to use a program and have them create their own cut-outs of stickers. He also teaches them how to use Illustrator Photoshop tools be be able to create artwork.

All the students in his class do their own work; they create their own images using technology and programs on Apple Macs.

“It has to be something you have drawn yourself, and then it takes that line art and it will cut it on a vinyl cutter, and the cuter is basically an exacto cutter that’s on a grid. It cuts out the design for you. Then you have to weed away the area; you have to take some picks and pick off the area that you don’t want on the vinyl. What’s left is your sticker that you can transfer off and put in anywhere. They are waterproof vinyl stickers, so you can put it on your car, you can put it on your phone or wherever and its waterproof so it won’t come off,” explained Mr. Mattingly.

Many students who have this class have designed their own images and have cut-outs their stickers. Many have put stickers in their own cars or on phone cases. Students start off drawing logos themselves.

Another project they have done are creating buttons that they can stick on their school backpacks or on their clothing.

It can be a great experience being able to use Photoshop.

Even Mr. Mattingly himself has done a few of his own stickers or buttons. Try out his class today and make some of these items yourself!