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Introduction

The Academy of Signage and Graphics Technology was established to train the next generation of sign professionals in the United States and abroad.

 

Founded by Babu Khalfan, the Academy of Signage and Graphics Technology was established to ignite a passion for architectural signage within the next generation of creative minds through:

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  • Project management

  • Design techniques

  • Hands-on manufacturing training

 

Our academy is growing in both the United States and India, a country known for rapid industrial development. 

Students working in lab
Students working in lab

Students: Gordon Qu and Wang Ching Wong

             Signs+Decal, Brooklyn, NY

Supporting Organizations
FIT logo

Fashion Institute of Technology

The Fashion Institute of Technology Spatial Experience Design Program was established to provide leadership in the development of hands-on experience design programs. The two-year BFA program integrates graphic design, visualization, display, and fabrication. Students graduate from the program and work in experiential graphic design firms, experiential agencies, fabrication firms, and retailers. 

Signs&Decal logo

Signs+Decal Corporation

S+D is the foundation used to support our Academy of Signage and Graphics Technology and S+D’s internship partners through the use of our facilities and other educational tools essential for vocational training. S+D is also developing fabrication space for student support.

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Advisory Group

The Institute will include academic and technical directors that will support the development and guidance of the program. The advisory group will also provide examples of best practices.

Glenn Sokoli

Program Leads

Babu Khalfan

Babu Khalfan

Founder of Signs+Decal and Signs&Decal Institute

In 1971, Babu immigrated to the United States and founded the Signs+Decal Corporation with his...

Angelica Paul

Angelica Paul

Senior Graphic Designer of Morgan Publishing House and Outreach Coordinator for the Institute

After completing my Bachelor of Arts (3yr) in Elective English and French from the University of Delhi, I went...

Craig Berger

Craig Berger

Chairman of CD Pathways at Fashion Institute of Technology and Educational Program Coordinator

Craig Berger is Associate Professor and Chair of the CD Pathways program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in...

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Alexandra Biehle

Graphic Designer & Outreach Coordinator of Morgan Publishing House and Web Designer for the Institute

I am a recent graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) with a BFA in Spatial Experience Design and an...

Program Activities

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Workshops

The Institute will hold workshops at Fashion Institute of Technology in coordination with FIT and sign fabricators to discuss approaches, outcomes, and outreach. This will be coordinated with a bimonthly online lecture that will be integrated into the website.

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Internship Programs

The centerpiece of the program is internships. The development of the internship program will be based on two specific areas. Students will receive a small stipend to develop specific projects that support
the promotion of the Institute's educational programs while navigating a specific overview course encompassing all areas of the educational program. These internships will serve as a model for fabricator and vocational internship programs.

Student: Katie Sugiyama

Academic Education

Students listening to lecture

The Institute provides academic support through curriculum development including sample project outlines, case studies and other educational support that can be utilized by community colleges and colleges when supporting academic programs. The academic educational programs include sample curriculum, intern programs and case studies.

Fabrication Lab and Exhibition Space

Hand skills

S+D (Signs+Decal) is in the process of renovating their facility and part of that renovation will include a new fabrication lab for interns, students, and designers who would like to prototype select projects. Part of the fabrication lab will be grants for fabrication projects. All grants will require the development of a process video showing fabrication steps.

Videos and Publications

Building

The Institute creates open-source educational digital publications and instructional videos available to students, designers, educators, and fabricators. These publications will be created through our internship program and consultations with other educators, designers and fabricators. Publications will include the following:

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Educational Courses

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Model Curriculum

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Educational Videos

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Training Case Studies

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