Reviving Route 66

This article proposes a certificate-level Design/Build curriculum to address the workforce challenges facing Albuquerque’s signage industry. Based on original survey data, a Developing a Curriculum (DACUM) workshop, and a series of collaborative design charrettes, the curriculum connects traditional sign-making techniques and digital fabrication and culturally responsive design. The findings show critical skill gaps, aging workforce concerns, and institutional barriers to educational program creation. The proposed solution offers training options aligned with the city’s visual identity and economic needs.