Digital Media CMS

Category: MS

  • 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.