Brian Lapp is where it's at - in design field

By Erin Whittingham

whit0495@algonquincollege.com

They have been made to advertise the Tokyo Police Club, Public Enemy’s Chuck D, and The John Henry’s, and Brian Lapp is the desktop publisher behind them all.

As the desktop publisher for the SA, The Observatory, and the Fitness Zone, Lapp’s work is hung around the many hallways on campus. However, the posters are just one part of his job.

“I design flyers, brochures, pamphlets, t-shirts, and backgrounds for banners and displays and tablecloths,” said Lapp.

The 27-year-old graduated from the advertising program at Algonquin three years ago, and began working at a downtown design studio. However, after receiving word from his program co-ordinator that the college was looking for a desktop publisher he applied for the position, and has been working for the SA ever since.

However, the process of turning plain white paper into a melody of colours is no easy task. Lapp starts off by doing his research on the band or event, and draws several designs before sitting down at the computer.

“I like to try new things so I gather lots of images and different concepts to see what I am working with first. Then I sketch them out and come up with different layouts, and then I choose my favourite one to design,” he said.

Lapp uses Adobe Illustrator for designing and Photoshop to manipulate images.

Ken Macleod, the event-programmer for the SA who co-ordinates all the bands, acts and shows who come to Algonquin, keeps Lapp a very busy man.

“I get Brian to design posters for the SA, for events, or for any special meetings we have, and for elections or any upcoming forums. He does all the marketing promo for the SA,” said Macleod.

The Students’ Association’s promotional team also keeps Lapp at his computer screen designing away.

 “Our main objective is to inform the students around campus of upcoming shows so we have found that handing out flyers is a great way to let students know when and where an event is taking place so we go to Brian whenever we need flyers made,” said Shannon Price, promotional team.

Another member of the team and who also hangs the posters on the 31 boards around campus, said she finds Lapps work gets the job done.