Charles Willson Peale was an 18th and early 19th century American portrait artist. In the late 1700’s, he began a museum of art, science, and technology in his Philadelphia home/studio on Lombard Street.
The museum’s collection and popularity rapidly outgrew its space. In 1796, Peale moved his museum to the newly built Philosophical Hall, where it again rapidly outgrew its space. In 1801, he moved his museum into the recently vacated Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, a World Cultural Heritage Site renowned for the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.
Digital Media faculty members Glen Muschio and Dave Mauriello are mentoring students interested in digitally recreating the Long Room exhibits in Peale’s Museum for use at Independence National Historical Park. The video, “Charles Wilson Peale’s Philadelphia Museum” shows student work on the project. The video, “Who Tells What Stories to Whom, When and Where” provides background about the project and future plans. For additional information about the ongoing project contact Glen Muschio.
Starting the UXID program at Drexel University is an exciting step toward a career in design and technology. The first quarter introduces key UX concepts, essential tools, and hands-on projects that build a strong foundation for the years ahead. Here’s what to expect in your first term.
Freshman year begins with a mix of UXID courses and general education classes. The first quarter is just the beginning. Upcoming courses will dive deeper into interaction design, usability testing, and advanced prototyping, helping you refine your skills for real-world UX challenges.
Core Classes
Freshman year begins with a mix of UXID courses and general education classes. Some key courses include User Interface Design (IDM211, IDM212) where you learn how to design aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, covering important design principles and the human capabilities that motivate them. Interaction Design (IDM213) explores principles, patterns and process for interaction design, define the structure and behavior of interactive systems and how these can be used to create meaningful relationships between people and the products and services that they use. Design Thinking in Product Design (PROD215) covers design research methods, and topical design issues to explore and experience design thinking.
Skills You’ll Learn
The first quarter focuses on essential UX design skills, including User Research – Conduct interviews, surveys, and usability tests, Prototyping & Wireframing – Use Figma to create low-fidelity wireframes, and Design Iteration – Refine work based on feedback and testing.
Projects & Challenges
Expect hands-on projects from day one. A common first-quarter assignment is redesigning an app’s onboarding experience—identifying pain points, creating new user flows, and testing solutions. The biggest challenge? Learning to embrace feedback and refine designs through multiple iterations.
Tips for Success: Get comfortable with Figma early. It’s a core tool in UX design. Seek feedback often. Iteration is key to improving designs. Manage your time wisely. Balancing projects and coursework can be tricky. Engage with the UXID community. Networking and student groups can offer valuable insights.
ACM SIGGRAPH has announced Chris Redmann as the SIGGRAPH 2026 Conference Chair. As a familiar face across SIGGRAPH conferences, Redmann brings extensive experience having chaired several programs and contributed his own work over the years. His appointment marks another milestone in a journey of leadership within the computer graphics community.
An Experienced Voice in the SIGGRAPH Community
Redmann’s voice is well-known to the SIGGRAPH community through his hosting of multiple episodes of SIGGRAPH Spotlight, including discussions on multiperson immersive experiences and building the open metaverse. His expertise extends beyond hosting – as SIGGRAPH 2020 Immersive Pavilion Chair and General Submissions Chair for both SIGGRAPH 2021 and 2022, he has played a crucial role in curating some of the conference’s most innovative programming.
A Track Record of Innovation
Throughout his tenure with SIGGRAPH, Redmann has contributed to groundbreaking initiatives across various domains. His program highlights include pioneering work in virtual production, specifically addressing challenges like standardizing color on LED walls, and innovative projects such as ESPN’s immersive VR batting cage. He has also championed important historical and environmental projects, including a VR experience focused on environmental awareness and a detailed exploration of the Tulsa Race Massacre.
SIGGRAPH 2026 will mark the conference’s return to Los Angeles, taking place from July 19-23, 2026. Before then, the SIGGRAPH community can look forward to SIGGRAPH 2024 in Denver under Conference Chair Andres Burbano (July 28-August 1) and SIGGRAPH 2025 in Vancouver led by Ginger Alford (August 10-14).
For more information about SIGGRAPH conferences and opportunities to get involved, visit siggraph.org.
We are thrilled to announce that Kristy Pron, an accomplished alumna of Drexel’s Digital Media program, has been appointed the Conference Chair for SIGGRAPH 2027. This prestigious appointment marks her second time leading the world’s premier conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques, following her groundbreaking leadership of SIGGRAPH’s first-ever virtual conference in 2020.
From Drexel to Disney: A Digital Media Success Story
Currently serving as a Walt Disney Imagineer, Pron leads the media arts and pipeline team responsible for pre-visualizing attractions across Disney’s global theme parks. Her team creates real-time visualizations that enable creative iteration and show reviews before physical construction begins, showcasing the innovative intersection of technology and storytelling that defines modern digital media.
Vision for SIGGRAPH 2027
“Computer graphics is involved in practically every industry from film and games to theme parks, automotive, medical, and beyond,” Pron shared in her vision for SIGGRAPH 2027. “I want to foster connections between attendees in different communities to inspire collaboration and ingenuity in design and production.”
The conference will take place in Anaheim, California, from August 8 to 12, 2027, bringing together thousands of professionals, researchers, and artists from around the world. With Pron at the helm, SIGGRAPH 2027 promises to showcase the endless possibilities that emerge when innovation meets imagination.
A Legacy of Leadership
Pron’s journey with SIGGRAPH began as a student when she first participated as a Student Volunteer. This experience launched a remarkable trajectory that has included roles as program chair, conference chair, and special projects chair. Her story exemplifies the opportunities available to Digital Media students who pursue their passions at the intersection of technology and creativity.
Join us in congratulating Kristy on this exceptional achievement. Her continued success and leadership in computer graphics and interactive techniques inspire current and future Digital Media students at Drexel University.
For more information about SIGGRAPH 2027 and opportunities to get involved, visit siggraph.org.
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