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  • 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!

  • Digital Media Alumni Spotlight: Steven McInerney

    Meet Steven McInerney, a 2024 graduate of Drexel University’s User Experience & Interaction Design (UXID) program. Steven’s passion for solving real-world problems through thoughtful design has guided his journey into the tech industry, where he currently works as a UI Designer for a fast-growing startup.

    Drexel Experience

    Steven’s favorite project at Drexel was Clink, a cocktail recommendation app that he developed with his senior project team. This project was a turning point in his academic journey, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the design process and realize his desire for a career in UX. Despite the long hours spent prototyping and refining user flows, Steven found the experience deeply rewarding, as it transformed his understanding of design from a creative interest to a professional pursuit.

    Career Path & Achievements

    Currently, Steven is a UI Designer at DoorSpot, a startup focused on helping people rent and find properties through intuitive digital dashboards. In this role, he designs key user flows and UI elements, applying the same skills he honed during his time in Drexel’s UXID program. Outside of work, Steven enjoys traveling abroad with friends, drawing inspiration from the diverse cultures and environments he encounters.

    Advice to Students

    Steven encourages students to try different roles in class projects, whether it’s design, research, or development. He believes that college and co-op experiences are the best times to explore new skills, as these early trials make adapting to professional environments much easier. His advice for aspiring designers? “Don’t shy away from trying different roles—this is your time to experiment and grow.”

    Connect with Steven: LinkedIn

  • DIGM 2025 Showcase

    The Senior Showcase is the electrifying culmination of a year’s relentless research, daring design, and cutting-edge development by Drexel’s Digital Media seniors. Teams unveil capstone projects that redefine digital innovation, from intuitive apps to immersive games. This event celebrates their vision and grit, launching the next generation of creators into industries hungry for bold ideas. Join us to witness the future, crafted today.

  • The Digital Peale Museum Project

    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.

    Charles Wilson Peale’s Philadelphia Museum

    The following video, titled “Charles Wilson Peale’s Philadelphia Museum” shows student work on the project.

    Who Tells What Stories to Whom, When and Where

    The following video, titled “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

  • Silent Emotion: Capturing Conflict in Character Animation

    Silent Emotion: Capturing Conflict in Character Animation

    In the ANFX Character Animation II course at Drexel University, students explore the art of human facial deformation and movement as it relates to thought-driven performance. It’s a class that challenges animators to go beyond technical execution, asking them to consider how emotion lives in the details—especially when there’s no dialogue to rely on.

    One final project from this term stands out as a stunning example of that challenge in action. The animation focuses on a heated argument between two women, and while it plays out in total silence, the emotional intensity is undeniable.

    Facial Animation as Performance

    What makes this animation truly memorable is the care the student put into the facial expressions. The performance doesn’t rely on exaggerated cartoonish motions—instead, it leans into realism. Small, subtle shifts in the eyebrows, eyelids, and jawline do the heavy lifting, capturing the nuance of frustration and anger with remarkable precision.

    Reading Emotion Without Sound

    Even in the absence of audio, the scene feels loud. You can almost hear the characters yelling, feel their tension rise, and sense the moment just before one interrupts the other. It’s a clear demonstration of how facial animation can drive narrative and emotion just as powerfully as voice acting—if not more so.

    Animating the Whole Character

    Beyond the facial detail, the student took full advantage of body language to support the storytelling. Weight shifts, posture changes, hand gestures—each element adds to the performance and deepens the emotional impact. Together, these physical cues bring the characters to life, giving them presence, intention, and urgency.

    The animation feels polished, smooth, and emotionally rich. It’s more than just a technical achievement—it’s a thoughtful character study that invites viewers into the story without needing a single line of dialogue. It’s this kind of work that showcases what’s possible when animation is used not just to move characters, but to make them feel alive.

  • MoodSense: Revolutionizing Mood Tracking with Smart Ring Technology

    In an era where mental health awareness is paramount, MoodSense emerges as an innovative solution developed by a student from Drexel University’s User Experience and Interaction Design (UXID) program. This Apple Watch interface, paired with smart ring technology, aims to accurately detect users’ moods and provide personalized activities for self-improvement.

    The Challenge: Beyond Novelty Mood Rings

    Traditional mood rings, while popular, are merely novelty items that change color based on body heat. MoodSense addresses this limitation by leveraging advanced smart ring technology to provide accurate mood detection based on comprehensive health data.

    Innovative Technology

    MoodSense utilizes PPG (Photoplethysmography) technology in smart rings to collect various health metrics from the skin’s surface, including:

    • Sleep patterns
    • Body temperature
    • Heart rate
    • Activity levels
    • Blood oxygen
    • Stress levels
    Design Process and Features

    The development of MoodSense followed a comprehensive process:

    • Competitor Research: Identified gaps in existing smart ring applications.
    • Wireframing: Created low-fidelity prototypes to plan screens and navigation.
    • Design Inspiration: Drew from Apple Watch design standards and mood ring aesthetics.
    • Style Guide: Developed a cohesive visual language for the app.
    • Final Design: Refined the interface based on critical user paths.

    Key Features

    MoodSense offers unique functionalities:

    • Accurate mood identification based on health data
    • Personalized activity suggestions for mood improvement
    • Social features to send encouragement to friends
    • Color and shape associations for different moods

    User Experience

    The final prototype, created using Figma, offers an interactive experience showcasing the app’s core functionalities. Users can explore mood detection, receive personalized activities, and engage with friends, all through an intuitive Apple Watch interface.

    MoodSense represents a significant step forward in mood tracking and mental health support. By combining cutting-edge smart ring technology with a user-friendly Apple Watch interface, it offers users a powerful tool to understand and improve their emotional well-being.

  • Specimania: Bring Hidden Insect Collection to Life

    Drexel University’s Digital Media & Virtual Production (DMVP) program recently showcased an innovative senior capstone project that pushes the boundaries of interactive museum experiences. The project, titled “Specimania,” was developed by a talented team of students known as Bug Byte Studios, demonstrating the program’s commitment to preparing students for real-world production environments.

    Specimania is an interactive exhibit designed to reveal the mysteries of the Academy of Natural Sciences’ hidden insect collection. The project combines cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality, 3D modeling, and interactive displays to create an immersive and educational experience for museum visitors.

    Key Features and Technical Achievements

    The centerpiece of Specimania is a custom-designed kiosk that allows visitors to explore virtual specimens in various ways. This includes a holographic display showcasing high-fidelity 3D models of insects, an educational game where users can play as different bee species, and the ability to switch between virtual specimens and view them in different experiences. The team also created detailed 3D printed models of the insects, allowing visitors to observe intricate details up close.

    Technical Prowess

    The Bug Byte Studios team showcased impressive technical skills throughout the project, including photogrammetry and 3D modeling to create accurate digital representations of insects, advanced hair grooming techniques to replicate realistic insect textures, and implementation of scientifically accurate animations using retargeting in Unreal Engine.

    Real-World Impact and Future Developments

    Specimania was not just a theoretical exercise. The project was developed in collaboration with the Academy of Natural Sciences and was showcased during Earth Day weekend, receiving valuable feedback from real visitors. This real-world testing allowed the team to refine their project based on user interactions and responses.

    The success of Specimania has led to exciting developments for the DMVP program. A new class called “Digitizing Nature” will be offered in collaboration with the Academy of Natural Sciences, allowing future students to build upon the foundations laid by this project. This collaboration is set to grow, providing more opportunities for students to work on real-world projects and gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies in museum and educational settings.