Mount Laurel, NJ (December 18, 2014) – On December 17, 2014, graduating graphic design students at The Art Institute of Philadelphia held their final portfolio review and show. What was significant – and unique – about this year’s show was the integration of ground-breaking digital printing technologies including the use of white and clear toner and expanded media handling capabilities into their curriculum and, therefore, into their portfolio pieces. This was made possible courtesy of the innovative C941dn LED digital color printer donated by OKI Data Americas as part of an academic/corporate collaboration between the two organizations announced earlier this year.
The Art Institute of Philadelphia was the first school of higher learning within North America to adopt a C941dn – with its industry-first LED five station toner configuration with cyan, magenta, yellow and black, plus white or clear in the fifth position – and integrate it into select curricula. By providing students access to this device and its production grade output, students at The Art Institute of Philadelphia were able to expand their learning and gain real world experience, in terms of printing capabilities, that rivals what might otherwise only be achievable at professional graphic arts print shops.
Students who used the C941dn this academic term were grateful for the donation from OKI Data, and applauded the C941dn for its versatility, speed, and output quality – even for photography. As designers, they valued the unique opportunity to work with this cutting-edge technology – especially the ability to use white and clear toner, and remarked about the many ways in which they were able to expand their range of design possibilities as a result. In addition, the device’s impressive media handling capabilities afforded students the opportunity to use colored paper stock and explore new and different design options.
“OKI Data’s donation of a C941dn to The Art Institute of Philadelphia has been a mutually-rewarding experience,” said Carl Taylor, Vice President of Marketing for OKI Data Americas. “Faculty and students at The Art Institute of Philadelphia benefit from hands-on access to groundbreaking printing technology which facilitates learning and enhances their creative exploration, while OKI Data gains feedback from these bright and talented young minds.”
The show – displaying the work of more than 20 graduating students – was held at The Art Institute of Philadelphia, and was well attended. In the coming academic terms, The Art Institute of Philadelphia will seek to integrate the C941dn into additional curricula, thereby providing even more students across a broader range of disciplines access to this leading-edge technology.
OKI Data products are built on parent company OKI Data Corporation’s history of leadership and innovation. Most of OKI Data’s color printing solutions feature Single Pass Color™ as well as proprietary digital LED and HD Color technologies. These technologies allow OKI Data Americas to manufacture products that require fewer moving parts for increased reliability and outstanding color output quality.
OKI provides live1, toll-free technical support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, with agents based in North America. In addition, OKI Data live chat feature is available to customers within the US and Canada seeking online support on weekdays during normal business hours within the Eastern time zone.
About OKI Data Americas
OKI Data Americas, headquartered in Mount Laurel, NJ, and a subsidiary of OKI Data Corporation of Japan, markets PC peripheral equipment and customized solutions under the OKI® brand, including digital color and monochrome printers and multifunction products, serial impact dot matrix printers, thermal label and POS printers, as well as a full line of options, accessories and consumables. OKI Data Americas serves the graphic arts and production and specialty printing markets with the OKI proColor Series digital production printers. In addition, its Multimedia Production Platform category of production-quality A3 color devices meets a wide-range of graphic arts and commercial printing needs. Utilizing Genuine OKI toner ensures consistent, reliable and high-quality output that maximizes performance. OKI Data offers a broad portfolio of products built to optimize managed print engagements. OKI Data Americas takes a consultative approach to supporting every customer’s needs and delivering individualized print solutions that optimize business performance. The company’s innovative technology is backed by Tokyo-based parent company OKI Electric Industry, a leader in telecom, infrastructure and mechatronics systems; and an approximately $4.7 billion multinational corporation according to its FY 2013 financial reporting. Keeping its customers’ needs top of mind, OKI Data Americas is ISO 9001:2008 certified and offers a selection of ENERGY STAR certified products.
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OKI, Reg. OKI Electric Industry Co., Ltd.,
Single Pass Color T.M. and design Reg. T.M. OKI Data Corp.,
proColor, T.M., OKI Data Americas.
ENERGY STAR Reg. T.M. U.S. EPA