A group of Blue Creek third-graders got a chance to test out and critique Albany International’s new coloring book designed by Shaker High School students.
Shaker High School’s graphic design program has been working on a new coloring book for the airport for about two years. On Friday, June 19, one Blue Creek class got a chance to put the book to the test before it is distributed to kids going through the airport.
“It’s really cool,” said third-grader Lorenzo Marra. He said his favorite page was the illustration of passengers going through the security checkpoint, because he likes to see the luggage scanned.
The 20-page coloring book has been in the works for nearly two years, according to Albany International Airport Director of Public Affairs Doug Myers. He said the airport has had a coloring book to hand out to kids either traveling or in student groups taking tours since the terminal first opened in 1998. The book had not been update since.
“We felt it was time to take a look at the existing book and see if it should be updated or redone,” said Myers.
After looking at graphic design companies and considering college students, airport officials decided to contact Shaker High School’s art department for its graphic design program. Shaker art teacher Paul Aubin took on the project that has spanned two school years.
The high school students went to the airport to photograph scenes that best captured Albany International and how it operated. They then uploaded the photos onto computers and digital tablets to trace and use Photoshop to create the black and white book.
Scenes include arriving at the airport, passing through security and what to do while waiting for an airplane, as well as boarding, taking off and Air Traffic Controllers.
Art Department Supervisor Anne Manzella said this project was good for high school art students, since there was a lot of back and forth between the students and airport officials.
“It was good experience for them,” said Manzella. “There was steady back and forth communication” that showed students what it was like to work with and accommodate a client, she said.
The Blue Creek students wasted no time getting to work on the coloring book. Maria Connolly was hard at work coloring an illustration of Airport Ambassadors with their dogs.
“It’s really, really fun,” said Maria. “My favorite part is the one with the two dogs. I didn’t know dogs could go on airplanes.”
