Students in Sanford Regional Technical Center's Digital Design program spend their days bringing ideas to life on screen, designing logos, creating digital artwork, and crafting visual solutions to real-world problems. Under the guidance of instructor Amy Turgeon, they transform artistic talent into marketable career skills using the same professional tools and techniques employed by designers across creative industries.
At the foundation of the two-year program, students master the elements of art and principles of design. Through hands-on projects in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, students develop both technical proficiency and creative problem-solving abilities. They create everything from brand identities and marketing materials to digital illustrations and event graphics, learning to balance creativity with client needs and technical constraints. Typography fundamentals further enhance their skill set, teaching them how letterforms and text can communicate meaning and emotion in visual design.
Mair Clarke, a senior in the program, found exactly what he was looking for. "I applied to SRTC Digital Design because I wanted to learn more about what I could do after high school," Clarke explained. "I wanted to learn more skills that I can use to help me get a job that I love."
The program's success shows in student achievements both in statewide competitions and real-world client projects. For two consecutive years, Digital Design students have won the SkillsUSA branding competition. Deanna Watson, a 2024 graduate, created a lighthouse-inspired design which branded the Maine SkillsUSA Leadership Conference. This year, first-year student Harley Robinson continued the winning streak with her design celebrating Maine's iconic sunsets and wildlife.
Most recently, the program gave all 14 seniors hands-on client experience when Superintendent Matt Nelson commissioned them to design branding for the Sanford School Department's updated mission, vision, core principles & beliefs on learning and portrait of a future ready graduate. Senior Johnathan Rideout's design was ultimately selected as the official brand, a project that gave students real-world practice navigating the revision process and working with stakeholder feedback.
The program offers students the opportunity to earn Adobe Certified Professional credentials in both Photoshop and Illustrator. These industry-recognized certifications demonstrate to future employers and colleges that students have mastered the tools used by professional designers worldwide.
Clarke has been accepted into what he describes as "a caring, entertaining and uplifting community" where he's "learned more than I ever expected to when applying." He plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in Illustration and Design after graduation, confident in her preparation. "I know that I will be able to put what I learned here to good use," he said.
Turgeon's teaching philosophy reflects this supportive environment. "My hopes are that my students graduate with fond memories of their time in Digital Design," he shared.