Digital Media CMS

Category: MS

  • Digital Media Student Spotlight – Preeti Shenoy

    Meet Preeti Shenoy, a current Digital Media Master’s student at Drexel University expected to graduate in 2025. Preeti’s journey through the program exemplifies the transformative power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone while discovering new creative possibilities through technology and interactive design.

    Finding the Right Fit

    Preeti’s path to Drexel’s Digital Media Master’s program was driven by both practical considerations and creative inspiration. While the program’s economic accessibility initially caught her attention, it was the impressive work of previous graduates that truly inspired her to apply. Seeing the innovative projects and creative outputs from alumni demonstrated the program’s potential to nurture meaningful digital media work.

    Expanding Creative Horizons

    Throughout her time in the program, Preeti has been drawn to courses that challenge traditional boundaries of interaction and creativity. She particularly enjoyed IDM 617, a UX research methods class that provided her with valuable analytical skills. Additionally, DIGM 520 and 521 opened her eyes to new possibilities within interactive media, expanding her understanding of what could be considered interactive design.

    These courses didn’t just teach technical skills—they fundamentally shifted how Preeti thinks about digital experiences and user engagement.

    Growing Through Challenge

    One of the most significant challenges Preeti faced was adapting to the program’s ambitious scope. Many classes encourage students to experiment with a wide range of technologies, which initially felt overwhelming. However, this challenge became a catalyst for growth.

    The experience pushed her well outside her comfort zone and helped her develop confidence in tackling unfamiliar technology. She now approaches new tools and platforms with the mindset of figuring things out as she goes—a skill that proves invaluable in the rapidly evolving digital media landscape.

    A Horror Game with Vintage Flair

    The project Preeti is most proud of demonstrates her creative growth and technical development: a point-and-click horror game inspired by the movie Longlegs. Created for DIGM 540, a class that encourages broad exploration within digital media, the project allowed her to combine storytelling, visual design, and interactive programming.

    The game’s concept was ambitious in its attention to historical detail. Since Longlegs is set in the 1990s, Preeti wanted the game to feel authentic to that era. She conducted extensive research into Windows 97’s user interface, microinteractions, and graphics to create an immersive experience that transported players back to that specific technological moment.

    Her technical approach involved creating assets in Figma before importing them into Unity for animation and interactivity. While she had some previous Unity experience, this marked her first attempt at creating something entirely from scratch without instruction. The learning process of figuring out how to maximize the project’s interactivity proved both challenging and deeply rewarding.

    Current Endeavors

    Currently, Preeti is balancing two major projects: her thesis and her senior project. Though different in content, she’s begun to notice interesting overlaps between them. This experience allows her to apply knowledge from her undergraduate education alongside the research methods and theoretical frameworks gained through the master’s program.

    The synthesis of these different academic experiences is helping her see how various aspects of her education connect and reinforce each other.

    Career Perspective

    Preeti’s time at Drexel has given her valuable insight into the demands of the digital media industry. She recognizes that there’s often demand for “unicorns”—professionals who can handle multiple aspects of digital media production. Her education has provided her with the opportunity to explore this versatility before committing to it as a career path.

    With both undergraduate and graduate experience, she feels equipped with the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to understand her professional options and make informed decisions about her future direction.

    Advice for Future Students

    For those considering or beginning the Digital Media Master’s program, Preeti offers encouraging wisdom: “Don’t be afraid to experiment. If you approach the degree with the mindset that you’re here to learn something valuable, even the hard parts start to feel rewarding.”

    This mindset has clearly served her well throughout her own journey of creative and technical growth.

    Connect with Preeti: LinkedIn | Instagram | Portfolio (Coming Soon)

  • Digital Media Student Spotlight: Varun Mahadev

    Meet Varun Mahadev, a 2024 graduate of Drexel University’s Digital Media Master’s program who is currently making waves as an AI Consultant at URBN (Urban Outfitters Inc.). Varun’s journey through the program exemplifies how creative vision combined with technical expertise can lead to innovative work at the intersection of art, technology, and user experience.

    A Journey of Interdisciplinary Learning

    Varun was drawn to Drexel’s Digital Media Master’s program for its unique interdisciplinary approach. He sought a program that merged creative expression with emerging technology, where he could explore how tools like AI, UX, and generative design could reshape storytelling, interaction, and visual communication. Drexel provided the ideal environment for this exploration.

    Making an Impact Beyond the Classroom

    One of Varun’s most meaningful experiences came through his contribution to “Plumes and Pixels,” a collaborative project led by Professor Emil Polyak in partnership with The Academy of Natural Sciences. Though not part of the core curriculum, his enrollment in the Digital Media program opened the door to join the team as a student collaborator.

    The project explored biodiversity through interactive 3D visualization and digital storytelling. Varun and the team utilized advanced 3D scanning and reconstruction techniques, including neural radiance fields (NeRFs) and Gaussian Splatting, to create detailed and photorealistic models of ornithological specimens. Their work integrated scientific accuracy with cutting-edge rendering technology to engage museum audiences in innovative ways.

    The impact of this work extended beyond the university, earning recognition through publication at SIGGRAPH Asia 2024. For Varun, this experience reinforced the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and expanded his understanding of research-based creative work.

    A Transformative Mindset Shift

    Adapting to the interdisciplinary nature of the program presented one of Varun’s biggest challenges. Coming from a more tool-driven background, he initially focused on mastering specific software or techniques.

    A turning point came when a mentor advised: “Don’t get fixated on tools—focus on the outcome. The tools are just a means to an end.” This perspective shift—learning to approach problems from a conceptual level and think beyond platforms—proved both challenging and transformative.

    This new mindset pushed Varun to become more adaptable, creative, and solution-oriented in his work. The ability to think beyond specific tools now informs all his professional endeavors, especially when working with emerging technologies like AI and generative systems.

    Reimagining Human-Computer Interaction

    Varun’s crowning achievement during the program was his graduate thesis, which reimagined the future of human-computer interaction through a speculative framework centered on adaptive, AI-generated interfaces. The project explored how emerging technologies like large language models and generative systems could shift the paradigm from static graphical interfaces to more dynamic, context-aware interactions.

    Drawing on principles of UX, cognitive load theory, and speculative design, his work proposed new possibilities for how we engage with operating systems. This ambitious project allowed Varun to synthesize creative technology, research, and systems thinking into a cohesive vision for what digital experiences could become.

    Professional Impact

    Today, Varun applies the skills and perspective gained at Drexel as an AI Consultant at URBN (Urban Outfitters Inc.). His role involves designing AI-driven automation solutions that enhance creative workflows across the organization.

    His work spans developing generative image and video tools, fine-tuning open-source AI models, and building internal pipelines that make complex AI systems more intuitive and accessible for creative teams. At the core of his work is the goal of bridging advanced machine learning capabilities with user-centered design, enabling more efficient, scalable, and inspiring creative processes.

    Drexel’s Lasting Influence

    The Digital Media program equipped Varun with both technical fluency and interdisciplinary design thinking—critical skills for navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of creative AI. He credits the program’s emphasis on both conceptual rigor and hands-on experimentation with enabling him to bridge theory and real-world application.

    This foundation has been instrumental in his current role, where he designs and builds advanced AI tools operating at the intersection of technology, creativity, and user experience.

    Advice to Future Students

    For those following in his footsteps, Varun offers succinct but powerful advice: “Stay curious and experiment boldly.” In a rapidly evolving field like digital media, he encourages students to explore new technologies, collaborate with people outside their comfort zones, and treat every project as a chance to prototype their future.

    Varun’s work demonstrates how Drexel’s Digital Media program serves as a launchpad for careers that blend creativity, technology, and innovation in ways that shape the future of digital experiences.

    Connect with Varun: LinkedIn

  • Digital Media Student Spotlight: Lianna Wang

    Meet Lianna Wang, a talented UX Designer and current Digital Media Master’s student at Drexel University. With her expected graduation in 2025, Lianna is already making her mark through innovative projects that blend design thinking with real-world impact.

    A Journey of Interdisciplinary Learning

    Lianna’s decision to join Drexel’s Digital Media Master’s program stemmed from her desire to deepen her understanding of user experience design while expanding her horizons. She was drawn to the interdisciplinary perspectives offered through Drexel’s HCI, digital media, and animation courses.

    For Lianna, the program represented an opportunity to challenge herself academically while broadening her expertise across design, research, and emerging technologies. This interdisciplinary approach has allowed her to develop a versatile skill set that spans multiple domains within digital media.

    Exploring Inclusive Design

    Among her most impactful educational experiences, Lianna highlights INFO 609, Accessible and Inclusive Design. The course opened her eyes to how digital environments can unintentionally exclude users with diverse needs.

    A standout aspect of the course involved interviewing individuals from underserved communities and developing prototypes tailored to their specific challenges. This experience emphasized the importance of empathy, understanding, and having underrepresented voices in the room during the design process.

    Embracing New Challenges

    Lianna’s growth during the program has come through stepping outside her comfort zone. One particularly challenging yet rewarding experience involved a New Media Project incorporating augmented reality, motion capture, and animation.

    Coming from a UX design background, this project pushed Lianna well beyond her familiar territory. She quickly adapted to new tools and creative workflows, collaborating with animators and developers in ways she hadn’t before. The experience required her to learn Unity, Unreal Engine, and Maya—tools she hadn’t previously worked with. Despite the learning curve, this interdisciplinary project ultimately broadened her skillset and helped her become a more versatile and open-minded designer.

    Real World Impact Through Design

    A project Lianna is particularly proud of came through DSRE 620, Design Problem Solving, where her class partnered with Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation. She tackled medical waste management as part of Penn Medicine’s sustainability initiative.

    Her process involved on-site observations and interviews with medical staff and the Senior Director of Design & Strategy. The hospital setting presented unique challenges, pushing her to apply design thinking in a completely different context.

    Her solution—an add-on system to standardize biohazard waste bins and reduce friction for correct sorting—demonstrated the potential for design to create meaningful impact in healthcare settings. While the final deliverable was a proof of concept, Lianna takes particular pride in creating something with real-world application and potential for tangible impact.

    Research Methods and Tools

    Lianna’s approach combined traditional design methods with field research:

    • Fly-on-the-wall observation at the hospital
    • Stakeholder interviews
    • Affinity diagramming for synthesizing findings
    • Sketching and wireframing for prototype development
    • Collaborative visualization using Figma and Miro

    The process taught her “how to gather meaningful insights in complex, fast-paced environments like hospitals,” skills that transfer across numerous design contexts.

    Current Projects and Future Plans

    Currently, Lianna is balancing several significant projects. She’s writing a thesis on Dark UX patterns, exploring “how digital literacy education can help users better recognize and resist manipulative design tactics.” Simultaneously, she’s working on her senior capstone as a UX designer for a subletting platform aimed at helping young adults find and list sublets more securely.

    Her professional trajectory is already taking shape—after graduation, Lianna will be returning to Nuuly (Urban Outfitters, Inc) full-time as a Jr UX Designer.

    The Drexel Advantage

    Lianna credits Drexel’s accelerated degree program with allowing her to explore advanced topics “that aren’t typically covered in undergraduate coursework such as AI ethics, designing assistive technology, and advanced data visualization.”

    The co-op system has also been instrumental in her development, giving her “the opportunity to work on various projects with real-world relevance and discover what field or type of work I’d like to pursue.”

    Looking ahead, Lianna is excited to pursue roles that combine UX design with social impact, bringing together her technical skills and her passion for creating meaningful change.

    Advice to Future Students

    For those considering the Digital Media Master’s program, Lianna offers practical wisdom: start thinking about your thesis or capstone early and try to complete as many credits as possible in earlier terms. This approach provides the time and flexibility needed to dive deep into final projects.

    She also encourages students to explore beyond their comfort zones while maintaining focus on their goals. Taking electives outside familiar territory can be valuable, but it’s important to remember the limited number of electives available and to keep main educational objectives in mind.

    Connect with Lianna: LinkedIn Portfolio

  • Digital Media Student Spotlight: Alexander Lukacs

    Meet Alexander Lukacs, a current Digital Media Master’s student at Drexel University who is charting a unique path in UX Research. Originally a mechanical engineering student, Alexander transferred to Drexel to pursue UX Design before discovering his true passion for research methodologies.

    Finding a New Direction

    Alexander’s journey to the Digital Media Master’s program followed an unexpected route. “Originally I was a mechanical engineering transfer student from a different school, and I came to Drexel to pursue UX Design in the undergrad program,” he explains. During his undergraduate studies, his interests evolved, shifting focus from design to research.

    “I ended up in the DIGM Masters program because I thought producing a piece of research for my thesis would greatly advance my skills as a UX Researcher,” Alexander shares. “Being able to show off that I can apply the research skills I learned in classes to produce something novel is quite valuable.”

    Educational Highlights

    While navigating the program, Alexander has been strategic in tailoring his coursework to focus on UX Research methodologies. His favorite course, User Research Methodologies, gave him the opportunity to put his skills into practice.

    One particularly formative experience involved “putting together an evaluative research plan and executing it, then presenting on my findings to the class.” This hands-on experience helped solidify his research capabilities and provided a platform to demonstrate his analytical skills.

    Tools & Techniques

    Alexander’s technical toolkit includes a robust mix of research and design software:

    • Figma and FigJam for collaborative design work
    • Qualtrics for survey design and distribution
    • SPSS for statistical analysis
    • Zoom for remote research sessions
    • Both qualitative and quantitative research methods

    Currently, he’s focusing his energy on his thesis proposal, where he’ll have the opportunity to apply the full breadth of his research expertise.

    Career Perspectives

    Drexel’s program has been instrumental in helping Alexander refine his career aspirations. “Drexel helped me discover UX Research, where I can apply analytical and logical thinking, but also move fast and not get bored,” he reflects.

    He particularly credits the co-op program as pivotal in his professional development: “The co-op program especially has helped me figure out what I want to do with my career.” This real-world experience has reinforced his passion for UX Research and provided clarity on his professional trajectory.

    Advice to Future Students

    For students considering Drexel’s Digital Media program, Alexander offers practical advice: “Don’t be afraid to get approval to take classes outside of DIGM and Westphal – there are some cool classes out there that don’t have technical pre-reqs, but can be applicable to your area of study.”

    This cross-disciplinary approach has helped Alexander build a unique skill set that bridges technical knowledge with research expertise.

    Connect with Alexander: LinkedIn | Portfolio

  • Building an AI-Powered Sound-Responsive Website

    At Drexel University’s Digital Media program, our students are pushing
    the boundaries of technology and creativity. In a recent DIGM Master’s
    course assignment Dheeraj Mantha explored how artificial intelligence (AI) can
    transform responsive web development. His project, integrating AI-driven sound
    classification with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript…

    At Drexel University’s Digital Media program, our students are pushing
    the boundaries of technology and creativity. In a recent DIGM Master’s
    course assignment Dheeraj Mantha explored how artificial intelligence (AI) can
    transform responsive web development. His project, integrating AI-driven sound
    classification with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, showcases the exciting
    potential of combining no-code AI tools with web technologies.

    The Project: A Sound-Responsive Web Experience

    Dheeraj set out to answer a compelling question:
    How effectively can a
    sound-based AI model, trained with Google’s Teachable Machine,
    classify audio inputs like button clicks and keyboard typing, and reflect
    those predictions in real-time on a responsive website?
     With no prior coding
    experience in web development, he aimed to create a website that listens to
    real-world sounds—background noise, keyboard typing, or PS5 controller
    button presses—and responds by changing its background color and displaying
    the detected sound.

    Using a browser-based workflow, Dheeraj trained an AI model to recognize
    three distinct audio classes, exported it to TensorFlow.js, and integrated
    it into a webpage built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The result? A
    dynamic interface that shifts colors in real-time: a neutral theme for
    background noise, a blue pulsing theme for keyboard typing, and a
    yellow-orange shaking theme for controller presses.

    Tools and Workflow

    Dheeraj leveraged three key tools to bring his vision to life:

    • Google Teachable Machine: This no-code platform allowed Dheeraj to
      train a sound classification model by recording audio samples directly in
      the browser. Its simplicity and TensorFlow.js export feature made it ideal
      for beginners.
    • TensorFlow.js: Running entirely in the browser, this library
      enabled real-time audio processing without complex backend setup, ensuring
      fast and responsive predictions.
    • Replit: As an online IDE, Replit provided a seamless environment
      for coding and testing the webpage, with live previews to streamline
      development.

    Despite his lack of coding experience, Dheeraj used ChatGPT to generate the
    necessary HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code, adapting it to integrate the AI
    model. He faced challenges, including bugs in Teachable Machine’s
    recording process and Replit’s preview functionality, but resolved
    them through persistence, browser restarts, and refined AI prompts.

    Challenges and Triumphs

    The journey wasn’t without hurdles. Teachable Machine occasionally
    froze during audio recording, requiring multiple retries. Replit’s
    preview button failed at times, forcing Dheeraj to test the website locally.
    Additionally, Chrome’s persistent microphone permission requests posed
    a usability issue. However, by refreshing tools, refining code with ChatGPT,
    and tweaking browser settings, Dheeraj overcame these obstacles to deliver a
    functional prototype.

    The website successfully differentiated between sounds, though the
    animations (pulsing and shaking effects) were less dynamic than hoped.
    Still, the color changes and real-time text updates provided clear visual
    feedback, making the interface engaging and interactive.

    Why It Matters

    Dheeraj’s project highlights the power of accessible AI tools in web
    development. For a beginner with no coding background, the ability to train
    an AI model and integrate it into a responsive webpage is a testament to the
    democratization of technology. His work also opens doors to real-world
    applications, such as:

    • Accessibility: Sound-based controls for websites, enabling interaction
      without touch or mouse input.
    • Interactive Installations: Dynamic interfaces for gaming or portfolio
      websites that respond to environmental sounds.
    • Education: Tools for classrooms to trigger UI actions based on ambient
      noise detection.

    Looking Ahead

    Dheeraj plans to enhance the project by adding more sound classes (like
    claps or voice commands), improving animations, and exploring Replit’s
    AI code generator. He also envisions logging user interactions to analyze
    sound patterns over time. These ambitions reflect the iterative spirit of
    Drexel’s Digital Media program, where students are encouraged to
    experiment and innovate.

    A Bright Future for AI in Web Development

    This project underscores how AI tools like Teachable Machine and
    TensorFlow.js empower students to create sophisticated, responsive web
    experiences without deep technical expertise. For Dheeraj, the process was a
    crash course in problem-solving, UI design, and the potential of AI-driven
    interactivity. His success inspires us all to explore the intersection of AI
    and web development.

    Stay tuned for more innovative projects from our Digital Media students as
    they redefine what’s possible!

  • Plumes and Pixels: Bridging Digital Innovation and Artistic Heritage

    The intersection of digital media, science, and artistic expression comes to life in Plumes and Pixels, an innovative project developed by graduate students in Drexel’s Digital Media Masters Program. This unique exhibition, inspired by a vintage headwear adorned with a bird of paradise, bridges history, technology, and artistic interpretation.

    Project Overview: Plumes and Pixels

    The Plumes and Pixels project began with the digitization of a rare artifact from the Academy of Natural Sciences—a Victorian-era hat decorated with real bird plumage. Using advanced computational photography and 3D Gaussian Splatting, students created a digital twin of the specimen, preserving intricate details while exploring the ethical and environmental implications of historical fashion practices.

    Bridging Digital and Traditional Art

    Rather than using traditional art as a starting point for digital works, students reversed the process—using digital reconstructions as inspiration for physical artwork. This experimental approach fostered creative exploration, allowing artists to blend historical research with modern digital techniques.

    Artistic Interpretations: Blending History and Innovation

    Each piece in the exhibition represents a personal response to the artifact, addressing themes of beauty, extinction, and humanity’s impact on nature. Students worked across various media, including digital prints, textile art, and sculptural works, to express their interpretations.

    Featured Artists and Works

    • Arefeh Ahmadi – “Arsenic-King of Poisons” explores the paradox of preservation, incorporating chemical structures into her art.
    • Rghad Balkhyoor – “Threads of Nature” uses nuno felting to weave narratives of loss and conservation.
    • Darren Woodland, Jr. – “Feathered Futurism” fuses historical aesthetics with digital techniques to reimagine avian symbolism in fashion.

    Educational Impact and Public Engagement

    Beyond the artistic achievements, Plumes and Pixels serves as a model for interdisciplinary learning. The project demonstrates how digital media techniques can be used to preserve cultural artifacts, engage with environmental history, and inspire new artistic methodologies.

    By integrating cutting-edge technology with artistic storytelling, the project highlights the potential of SciArt education—where scientific observation meets creative expression. Through public exhibitions and discussions, students were able to communicate their research and creative process to a wider audience, fostering dialogue about conservation, history, and the evolving role of digital preservation.

    Plumes and Pixels is a testament to the power of digital media to transform how we understand and engage with the past. This exhibition not only showcases student creativity but also emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in shaping the future of art, technology, and scientific inquiry.

  • WOMB: Exploring Black Wealth Through Digital Storytelling

    The intersection of digital media, storytelling, and cultural heritage is at the heart of WOMB: The Black Wealth Project. Developed as part of Drexel’s Digital Media Masters Program, this project delves into themes of generational wealth, legacy, and identity through immersive media and visual storytelling.

    Project Overview: WOMB – The Black Wealth Project

    WOMB is an exploration of the Black experience and wealth through the lens of history, culture, and personal narratives. Using digital media as a tool for advocacy and education, the project presents a multi-layered perspective on economic empowerment, systemic challenges, and the resilience of Black communities.

    Key Themes

    • Historical and cultural perspectives on Black wealth
    • Personal narratives exploring generational financial experiences
    • The impact of systemic barriers and economic disparities
    • Innovative approaches to visual storytelling using digital media

    The Creative Process

    The project was developed through an iterative process that combined archival research, personal interviews, and digital visualization techniques. By integrating photography, motion graphics, and narrative media, WOMB provides a deeply immersive experience that engages audiences on multiple levels.

    Challenges and Storytelling Strategies

    One of the biggest challenges in creating WOMB was finding a balance between historical context and personal stories. The project team employed a documentary-style approach, combining data visualization with deeply human narratives to create an emotionally resonant experience.

    Impact and Future Development

    The project was showcased as part of Drexel’s Digital Media Masters exhibition, drawing attention to the importance of storytelling in economic justice movements. Future iterations of WOMB may include interactive elements, expanded research, and broader community engagement to further the conversation around Black wealth and financial empowerment.

    Through its innovative use of digital media, WOMB invites audiences to reflect on the past, examine the present, and envision a future where economic equity is achievable. This project stands as a powerful example of how immersive media can be leveraged for social impact and storytelling.