PrintED, administered by the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) will develop a new area of accreditation - Advertising & Design. The decision was based on the fact that today's printing and publishing industry is symbiotically tied to graphic designers, and the design process is an essential element in the print workflow.

"Advertising and design has always been an integral part of graphic communications, a fact never more evident than in the past several years, as the industry has shifted beyond ink on paper to becoming solutions providers," explained Thomas Saggiomo, chairman of the GAERF Board of Directors and president and CEO of Agfa Corporation in Ridgefield Park, NJ. "Accreditation in Advertising & Design is an important and essential addition to PrintED, ensuring that our industry is reaching out to, and properly training, all the talented young people who may be interested in graphic communications."

A task force comprised of industry and education members will develop the competencies for the Advertising & Design area of accreditation, which is expected to be launched this fall.