Two students at a North Bergen-based county high school have spent a few hours every week working on graphic design projects that aren’t just school assignments, but are for the city’s car decals and signs.
Natalie Delgado and Casey Nova, both North Bergen residents, are graphic design majors at High Tech High School’s Business/Technology Department. They were recommended for an internship with the North Bergen Department of Public Works’ new sign shop by Vincent Tripodi, the technological administrator for Hudson County Schools of Technology.
According to DPW Superintendent James Wiley, about three months ago, the township decided that signage work was too expensive, as they spent almost $25,000 a year on replacing street and stop signs due to wear and tear and graffiti, and on detailing municipal cars. After speaking with Mayor Nicholas Sacco and DPW Commissioner Frank Gargiulo three months ago, the solution was to create their own sign department by investing $100,000 in purchasing equipment to make signs. They also spent $45,000 in building the shop inside one of their buildings, and for the necessary printer, computers, and software. The DPW is a department of the township, so the funds came out of North Bergen’s budget.
“Here we don’t have someone to teach us if we forget how to do something.” – Casey Nova
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That was when Wiley contacted Tripodi, who helped them set up software and choose the two students to intern at the shop on Mondays and Tuesdays from 1:30 to 4 p.m.
The room has a very large printer, computers with Adobe Photoshop and Vector, and other tools. Delgado and Nova help design logos, which the DPW employees then place on signs or vehicles.
“We get to contribute to our town,” said Delgado, who said she is proud now when she sees her and Nova’s logos throughout town.
This has also helped cut costs since previously it cost $900 to decal a police car, while now it costs about $300, said Wiley.
Designing for their home town
Wiley said that the two students, who have been interning for the last six weeks, were very valuable to the DPW and were “worth their weight in gold” for the work they have accomplished.
So far they have re-designed the American flag that is featured on North Bergen Police vehicles, as well as some of the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue trucks, which all have individual logos.
They also created decals for a township fire engine that was out of service. The DPW has since refurbished it, painted it pink, and will donate it to Guardians of the Ribbon of Northern New Jersey, a breast cancer awareness group comprised of firefighters, police officers, and leaders in communities. The vehicle will be used for community outreach.
Both students were proud that they were working on such a good cause.
Delgado said that a challenge has been that the sign shop is without internet access, so when they are dreaming up a design, they cannot rely on Google, but must use their imaginations.
“Here we don’t have someone to teach us if we forget how to do something,” said Nova. “We have to do it ourselves.”
They have learned lessons from the DPW employees, who have taught them how to use the industrial printer. In turn, they have taught them about Photoshop and graphic art.
After experiencing their first internship, thestudents said that they plan to study graphic design in college next year.
Future internships
Wiley said that the sign shop has reinvented the “concept” of the DPW and that their technological capabilities are unique when compared to DPWs across the state.
The shop has also created decals for the township’s senior citizen and parks and recreation departments. After receiving requests from neighboring communities like Guttenberg, Wiley hopes they can create a shared services agreement so that they can make signage for those other towns.
Delgado and Nova will continue their internship until the end of this school year. Afterward, Wiley said that the DPW hopes to have two new High Tech seniors intern next year.
“It was a great idea for us to intern,” said Nova.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.