COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PRINT BASED GRAPHIC DESIGN FACILITIES IN SELECTED UNIVERSITIES AND THE GRAPHIC DESIGN INDUSTRY

(A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA)

By

Author

Presented To

Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to comparePrint based graphic design facilities in selected universities and thegraphic design industry in Nigeria, as it relates to promote the impacting of productive knowledge among professionals in the universities and Print based graphic design industry, by ensuring that the right facilities are made available in Nigerian public universities. This is in line with the expectation that design schools in the 21th century, should be equipped for the modern world, so that students are sufficiently prepared for inclusive participation in the Nigeria Print industry. The study however, went further to understandwhy graduates have to undergo re-training programme after graduation to fit into the production line,similarly why students are often rejected by companies when posted for Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES). This study examines and explains the relationship between public universities and Print based design industry in Nigeria. The following objectives were considered (i) examine the availability of print based facilities in public universities. (ii) compare the teaching facilities in selected Nigerian universities and those of the print-based industry (iii) determine the level of collaboration between print-based industry and public universities in Nigeria. Descriptive survey method and percentage analysis were employed for the study, Primary data were gathered from the field in 4 federaluniversities which are; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; AbubakarTafawaBalewa University, Bauchi; Federal University of Technology, Akure andModibboAdama University of Technology, Yola. The 8printing companiesas well are; Excell Global printers Ltd and Unique – Ace Integrated Ltd, in Kaduna. ATBU ATIL printing Press and Ramadan Press, In Bauchi, in YolaAbtiPress xv and Microtrend Digital Prints and lastly, in Akure Flamingos Digital prints and Signal 7000 digital. The sample size was among 10 graphic design lecturers, 50 final year undergraduate students,11 graphic design graduate staff and8 supervisorsworking in the Print graphicdesign indusry.Findings from the study show that the Print-based designindustry has state-of the-art printing facilities andalso existing gap in the level of collaboration between public universities and Print-based design industry.Technological-enabled education programme is the key to fundamental, wide-ranging educational reforms. Consequently, Industrial Design institutions in Nigeria should assume a leadership role in the transformation of education in the swirl of rapid technological changes. Accordingly, for Nigerian education to reap the full benefits of Technology in learning. This research endeavour have made a considerable stride in the understanding of the impact of Print based graphic design facilities in public universities in Nigeria towards producing a new caliber of students whose professional ability are very essential in a developing economy.Nigeria universities should re-invent themselves by working collaboratively with the industry to provide the skills relevant to students after graduation. Institutions and Industrial Design programme must provide the leadership for students and industries and model the new pedagogies and tools for learning through effective strategic plan. However, a successful and effective strategic plan depends to the extent to which proper implementation and monitoring are carried