This is a real project my students did for our college. When Western Technical College switched to mixed recycling we needed signage for the new containers. We also needed to educate our thousands of students, faculty, and staff on what exactly went into the bids.

My students accepted the challenge and their research began. They researched what mixed recycling is and how it works. Then they began illustrating and designing. Their signs had two main goals: Tell viewers that the boxes were now mixed recycling, and show what went into the boxes. Each student designed a sign. They presented their signs for critique to myself, fellow students, Waste Management account managers, and our College’s waste minimization team (a 9-person panel). After several rounds of revisions and evaluation, the clients loved the students’ work. The College printed 5 copies each of all 16 signs. These signs are currently in use at over 100 locations on 5 college campuses. The signs made impressive portfolio pieces too.

The final sign size is 18″ x 18″. They are printed in four-color process on corrugated plastic.

Student Work

Student design progress

Student progression with their own changes, in-class peer critiques, and my help.