Monday, June 18, 2012

Who, Why, What, How? Implement. Translate.

1. I am a single white male, early thirties, two children. I have a full time job of 12 years, a part time job in the field I'm studying, and a dog. I am a senior New Media student, taking full time hours whenever possible.

2. I am here to get my degree and learn more about design. I want to be a graphic designer, but also a well rounded new media professional, because I believe new media is key to future communications and social interaction, just as the printing press was in the past.

3. If I were to change anything in the school, it would be the overall intent of the major program. When a musician goes to school for music, regardless of the instrument, he learns about everything there is to know about music. I have been a little disappointed with the fundamental/basic skills and knowledge I have not learned. What good is a designer who wasn't taught fine art skills at a college level? I've received little to no color theory, even less on shape and line, and no training with traditional media.

4. When I imagine what this school could be in New Media, I imagine an intensive program that teaches a student from the ground up, and has the ability to reach all students regardless of age, demographic, or walk of life. I imagine a New Media program that is the equivalent of SCAD for fine arts and design. If I had the money, I could get my degree online from SCAD in drawing from start to finish, for instance, and be taught every aspect of that discipline. With the resources I see at IUPUI, I imagine a school that can do the same.

5. I'm not an expert at academic administration. But if I were to implement these changes, I would offer more fine arts training at the freshman level and save some of the theoretical classes for sophomore level. I think some of the skills require of us in digital art would be easier to attain with a better trained hand. Junior level courses would be more digital, and focused, while still giving fundamental knowledge of other unfocused areas in new media. Senior level courses would bring students together to implement skills in a group dynamic.

It is important to understand that most people focus on one aspect. Though, I believe it is important to still have a fundamental knowledge of what other people do in new media.

Finally, I would make all the classes, from start to finish, accessible to all. I started with online classes, and was given the impression that I could finish online. This is not the case. I have no problem attending a campus class, but when all the rest of my 300-400 level courses are only on campus and during the day, it makes it hard for a working parent to finish. This is why I've spent the past 5 years getting to senior status. Accessibility is an important factor for working students.

6. I translate these ideas every day. In my job, again of 12 years, I've been everything from the bottom of the barrel to a to performer and producer of a major financial institution. I could never be as successful as I am without learning all sides of the business I'm I'm, and applying that knowledge to working with a team who knows just as much as I do. In today's world, it's just not enough to be one sided in anything. One has to understand all the inner workings of their business. How good would I have been at selling financial products if I didn't start with learning how to count cash? The same question was asked in this blog earlier: how good can a designer be without being taught how to draw?

I think the School of Informatics needs to get in touch with the people who make this school what it is: the students. What do they need, what, expect of their institution? This is the only way to make a good school incredible.

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