BLOOMINGTON – Zach Sykes, design technology student at Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington, was awarded $500 for his design that took third place in a statewide community college AutoDesk competition. The contest was to design a brick-making machine to be used for affordable housing options in Haiti.

“Zach solely designed his apparatus and he is to be commended on his innovative work,” said April Bledsoe, design technology program chair. “Our AutoDesk liaison says that there was only a one point margin between first and third place in the competition. So close!”

Judges of the contest were experts in drafting and design, including mechanical engineers, architects, and AutoDesk and Ivy Tech personnel.

“I started at Ivy Tech with the goal to become an art instructor and within the past two years, I have been able to learn more. I’m now in pursuit of a design technology degree,” Sykes said. “Crossing over into technology has given me great opportunity to integrate technology and design into my passion for making art.”

Sykes says that he believes everyone should still have to take some kind of art, even in college. “It helps free your mind, especially if you are working to create projects for architecture and 3D printing.”

Sykes still plans to earn his master’s degree to become a college professor and to work in fields “where the future is design and improvement of the human race.”

More information about design technology at ivytech.edu/design-technology. Summer classes begin on June 10 and fall classes being Aug. 26. Prospective students can apply now for free at ivytech.edu/applynow.

About Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.