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  • Digital Media Alumni Spotlight – Mike Carbone

    Meet Mike Carbone, a 2020 graduate of Drexel University’s Interactive Digital Media program. Mike has made a name for himself in the tech industry, leveraging his design and engineering expertise to launch startups, run his own software agency, and contribute to cutting-edge customer engagement software.

    Mike’s most memorable project at Drexel was Pluto, a privacy-focused social network for iPhone and Android. He credits Drexel’s Digital Media program for providing him with unlimited resources and the creative freedom to bring ambitious projects to life. The faculty’s dedication to hands-on, real-world learning gave him a unique advantage in launching his career.

    Drexel Experience

    As part of an extraordinarily talented team, Mike helped create a beautifully designed product that users loved. He credits Drexel’s Digital Media program for providing him with unlimited resources and the creative freedom to bring ambitious projects to life. The faculty’s dedication to hands-on, real-world learning gave him a unique advantage in launching his career.

    Career Path & Achievements

    Currently, Mike is a Product Engineer at Knock Labs, a New York-based software startup specializing in customer engagement solutions. In addition to his role at Knock, he runs his own software agency and builds startups, constantly pushing the boundaries of digital innovation. His ability to blend product design with engineering has distinguished him in the industry, allowing him to create impactful digital experiences.

    Advice to Students

    Mike encourages students to collaborate beyond the classroom, experiment with new technologies, and seize every opportunity that excites them. He emphasizes the importance of networking with peers and professors beyond coursework, as these connections can open doors to incredible opportunities. His biggest advice? “This is your time to experience as much as the university has to offer—don’t miss out!”

    Connect with Mike: Company Website | Personal Website | LinkedIn | Twitter/X: @MikeCarbone

  • Freshman Year as a GDAP Student

    Freshman Year as a GDAP Student

    Starting freshman year in Drexel’s Game Design & Production (GDAP) program is an exciting first step toward a career in the gaming industry. This year is all about building foundational skills in game development, design principles, and digital art while exploring different aspects of the gaming world. Whether you’re interested in game design, programming, 3D modeling, or narrative development, the first year lays the groundwork for future specializations.

    Freshman-year courses introduce students to the fundamentals of game development, focusing on design, interactivity, and digital creation tools. The first year builds a strong foundation in game design and development. Sophomore year will introduce more advanced programming, 3D modeling, and interactive storytelling, helping students find their specialization in the gaming industry.

    Core Classes

    Freshman-year courses introduce students to the fundamentals of game development, focusing on design, interactivity, and digital creation tools. Key classes include Game Design Lab (GMAP101, GMAP102) which introduces fundamental image creation and editing tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, blending digital and physical fabrication for creative game design. You’ll explore core digital game design skills using interactive text, 2D and 3D game engines, and rapid prototyping through grey-boxing and asset libraries for experimentation. Basic Portfolio (GMAP123) focuses on the basics of portfolio creation, editing, and presentation while examining portfolio examples of current professionals in a variety of game development roles that can serve as models for student portfolio development. Overview of Game Playtesting (GMAP121) covers user research, UX, usability testing, and QA in game development. Students learn key techniques through lectures and hands-on testing of active student game projects.

    Skills You’ll Learn

    Freshman year is all about learning the key elements of game design and development, including Game Mechanics & Player Interaction – Designing engaging and balanced gameplay, 2D & 3D Asset Creation – Learning digital art and introductory 3D modeling, Basic Game Programming – Understanding logic and scripting in game engines, and Prototyping & Iteration – Creating simple games and refining ideas based on feedback.

    Projects & Challenges

    Expect hands-on projects that apply fundamental skills to small-scale game prototypes. Some common assignments include 2D Platformer Prototype – Designing and coding a simple side-scrolling game, Concept Art & Game UI Mockups – Creating assets and designing UI for a game interface, Game Design Document (GDD) – Writing a structured plan for a game idea, including mechanics, story, and art direction, and Paper Prototyping – Testing gameplay ideas with physical prototypes before moving to digital development. A major challenge in freshman year is learning to work across disciplines—game development involves art, programming, storytelling, and player psychology, and balancing these elements can be complex.

    Tips for Success: Start learning game engines early. Unity and Unreal Engine are industry standards—get comfortable with them now. Develop your artistic or coding skills. The more versatile you are, the more valuable you’ll be in a team setting. Play games critically. Analyze what makes games fun, engaging, and well-designed. Collaborate with peers. Teamwork is essential in game development—start practicing now!

  • HexaGONE: A Chaotic Couch Brawler

    Party games thrive on chaos, quick reflexes, and nonstop fun, and HexaGONE delivers exactly that. Developed by Team HexaGONE, a group of junior-year GDAP students, this couch brawler pits players against each other in a fast-paced, physics-based battle where the goal is simple: be the last one standing.

    Game Overview: HexaGONE

    HexaGONE is a four-player local brawler that features dynamic, hexagon-based arenas filled with hazards and unique environmental mechanics. Inspired by classic party games like *Super Smash Bros.*, *Gang Beasts*, and *Boomerang Fu*, the game focuses on quick rounds, unpredictable gameplay, and hilarious physics-based interactions.

    Key Features

    • Fast-paced, physics-based combat designed for local multiplayer
    • Dynamic arenas with destructible hexagonal tiles
    • Multiple level themes and hazards, including slippery ice and collapsing platforms
    • Designed for casual and competitive players alike, with a simple pick-up-and-play control scheme

    The Development Process

    Team HexaGONE built the game with an emphasis on engaging level design and unpredictable player interactions. Their early development phase involved prototyping different arena mechanics, testing movement physics, and designing unique hexagonal platform behaviors that force players to stay on their toes.

    Challenges and Solutions

    One of the biggest challenges for the team was balancing randomness and player control. To keep the game fun yet competitive, they refined movement mechanics and ensured that arena hazards remained fair but unpredictable. They also worked on making the game visually engaging, with distinct level themes and colorful, vibrant animations.

    Final Presentation and Future Development

    As part of the final showcase, Team HexaGONE presented their vision for the game, demonstrating chaotic multiplayer matches and highlighting future plans for additional maps and player customization. Their pitch was met with enthusiasm, showcasing the game’s potential as an exciting local multiplayer experience.

    Moving forward, the team hopes to expand HexaGONE with new maps, interactive hazards, and online multiplayer functionality. Their ability to craft a compelling and fun-filled party game demonstrates the strength of student-led innovation in game design.

  • 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.

  • Senior Year as an UXID Student

    Senior year in Drexel’s UXID program is the culmination of everything learned
    over the past three years. It’s a time to refine expertise, prepare for the
    job market, and, most importantly, complete and present the
    Senior Project at the
    Drexel Digital Media Showcase. This final year challenges
    students to apply their skills in a high-stakes, real-world setting, ensuring
    they graduate ready for careers in UX design.

    Core Classes

    Senior-year coursework focuses on specialization and professional
    preparation, with classes that guide students through their senior projects
    and advanced UX concepts:

    • Digital Media Senior Project (DIGM490): The three-term
      senior project where students research, design, and develop a UX solution
      to present at the Drexel Digital Media Showcase. Create professional media
      assets for a team-based senior project in a simulated real-world
      production environment. This course integrates academic and practical
      knowledge, emphasizing digital media production, best practices, and
      effective presentation skills through collaboration and teamwork.
    • Professional Practices in IDM (IDM401): This course will
      provide a broad overview of the practices of all areas included in the
      fields related to interactive digital media, including organizational
      structure and roles, client communication and creative process, needs
      assessment, brief writing, brainstorming, concept development, pitches,
      pricing, proposals and presentations.
    • Electives: Many students explore course electives to
      focus on building their skills in the area of UXID that they want to
      pursue after graduation. Some of these courses include Validating Product
      Ideas, SwiftUI, and Javascript Frameworks (Svelte, ReactJS). Students also
      take this time to explore electives that interest them. Pave your own
      path!

    Skills You’ll Master

    By senior year, UXID students fine-tune their skills, focusing on
    industry-level expertise:

    Project Management & UX Strategy
    Work through a full design cycle, from research to high-fidelity
    prototypes.
    Collaboration & Stakeholder Communication
    Present work to clients, faculty, and potential employers.
    Usability Testing & Iteration
    Conduct multiple rounds of user testing to refine the final senior
    project.
    Showcasing & Pitching Work
    Prepare for the
    Drexel Digital Media Showcase, a key event where senior
    projects are presented to industry professionals.

    Preparing for the Drexel Digital Media Showcase

    The Digital Media Showcase is the highlight of senior year,
    giving students the opportunity to present their senior projects to faculty,
    industry professionals, and peers. Preparation includes:

    • Refining the Final Product: Ensuring designs are
      polished, user-tested, and ready for real-world application.
    • Crafting a Strong Presentation: Communicating the
      problem, research process, and final design solution clearly and
      effectively.
    • Building a Portfolio-Ready Case Study: Documenting the
      senior project for job applications and interviews.
    • Networking & Job Hunting: The showcase often attracts
      recruiters, making it an excellent opportunity to make professional
      connections.

    Tips for Success in Senior Year

    • Stay organized. Senior projects require months of
      research, iteration, and refinement—plan accordingly.
    • Seek feedback early and often. Use professors, peers, and
      industry mentors to improve your work.
    • Practice presenting. Strong presentation skills make a
      huge impact during the showcase and job interviews.
    • Apply for jobs early. Start networking and applying to UX
      roles before graduation to stay ahead.

    Looking Ahead

    With the senior project completed and graduation approaching, seniors enter
    the UX job market with a solid portfolio, professional experience, and
    industry connections. Whether heading into UX design, research, or strategy,
    the skills developed in the UXID program prepare students for the next step
    in their careers.

  • Junior Year as an UXID Student

    Junior year in Drexel’s User Experience & Interaction Design (UXID) program is a game-changer. This is the year where classroom learning meets real-world application, with many students entering their first co-op experience. It’s a time to refine skills, work on professional projects, and start thinking about the future of a career in UX.

    Core Classes

    While some students spend part of the year in their co-op placement, coursework continues to build on previous knowledge with a focus on advanced UX methodologies and industry applications. Key classes include:

    • IDM Workshop (IDM371, IDM372): Work in team environments to analyze project requirements, develop a strategy for development, and utilize your design skills to present findings to the client. Build a high-fidelity interactive digital media prototype with a focus on usability testing.
    • Future Digital Media (DIGM475): This course examines current and emerging issues in digital media through readings and discussions on news, product announcements, articles, and industry predictions. It provides a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of digital media, including its future directions and long-term possibilities.
    • IDM Electives: Many students explore course electives to focus on building their skills in the area of UXID that they want to pursue after graduation. Some of these courses include Validating Product Ideas, SwiftUI, and Javascript Frameworks (Svelte, ReactJS).

    Skills You’ll Learn

    Junior year pushes students to take their UX skills to the next level, including:

    ✅ Professional UX Workflow – Collaborate with developers, product managers, and stakeholders in a real-world setting.

    ✅ Design Systems & UI Libraries – Create scalable design components for large-scale projects.

    ✅ Advanced UX Research & Testing – Conduct user research in professional environments and apply data-driven insights.

    ✅ Time & Project Management – Balance coursework, co-op responsibilities, and portfolio-building.

    Projects & Real-World Challenges

    The biggest shift in junior year is the transition from theoretical projects to real-world problem-solving. Co-op students get hands-on experience working with clients, building products, and learning how UX functions in a business setting. For those still in coursework, projects become more advanced, often requiring collaboration with companies or interdisciplinary teams.

    Tips for Success

    🎯 Make the most of your co-op. Learn as much as possible, ask questions, and take on challenging projects.

    🎯 Refine your portfolio. Showcase co-op work (if allowed) and update case studies with real-world applications.

    🎯 Build industry connections. Network with professionals and start looking ahead to senior-year internships or full-time job opportunities.

    🎯 Stay adaptable. UX work environments vary widely, so learn to adjust to different workflows and company cultures.

    Looking Ahead

    With junior year coming to a close, senior year is all about specializing in UX fields of interest, completing capstone projects, and preparing for post-grad career opportunities. The experiences gained in co-op and advanced coursework will shape the path toward becoming a full-fledged UX professional.

  • Pre-Junior Year as an UXID Student

    Pre-junior year in Drexel’s UXID program is a pivotal time as students transition from coursework to real-world applications. With foundational skills in design, research, and front-end development already established, this year focuses on refining expertise, building a professional portfolio, and preparing for co-op experiences.

    Core Classes

    As UXID students move into more specialized areas, coursework becomes more project-driven, collaborative, and industry-focused. Key classes include:

    • User Experience Design (IDM215, IDM216): In this two-term course, students will design exceptional digital experiences through user-centered practices. Covering brand personality, research, content strategy, information architecture, and usability, they will develop predictive, enjoyable designs and build fully functioning web apps while executing a full production pipeline. Be on the lookout for infamous “food truck project”!
    • Storytelling for User Experience Design (IDM418): Learn how to use stories to understand the user, their goals and objectives, explain research, and describe design concepts.
    • Microinteractions (IDM241): Create exceptional digital experiences using user-experience design principles. This course covers brand personality, content strategy, information architecture, and usability to develop predictive, enjoyable interactions.
    • Content Management Systems (IDM250): Set up a content management system and develop a custom theme, focusing on project planning, organization, and maintaining a high-quality code base.

    Skills You’ll Learn

    This year is all about honing skills that make a UX designer stand out in the job market:

    ✅ High-Fidelity UI Design – Build pixel-perfect designs that align with branding and user needs.

    ✅ Data-Driven Design Decisions – Use research insights to validate design choices.

    ✅ Advanced Prototyping & Microinteractions – Bring interfaces to life with motion design and animations.

    ✅ Presentation & Client Communication – Learn to present ideas effectively to stakeholders and potential employers.

    Projects & Challenges

    Pre-junior year involves tackling more complex, multi-step design challenges. Many classes incorporate real-world projects where students work on UX solutions for businesses, startups, or nonprofits. Expect to create comprehensive case studies—documenting research, design iterations, and usability testing—which will become essential for building a strong UX portfolio.

    Tips for Success

    🎯 Build a professional portfolio. Showcase your best projects with detailed case studies.

    🎯 Master storytelling in design. Clearly communicate your design decisions and process.

    🎯 Engage with the industry. Attend UX networking events, join online communities, and start connecting with professionals.

    🎯 Prepare for co-op. Research companies, tailor your resume, and refine interview skills for UX positions.

    Looking Ahead

    The pre-junior year serves as a bridge between academic learning and hands-on industry experience. With co-op opportunities on the horizon, students will soon apply their skills in professional settings, gaining real-world insights that will shape their careers.

  • Sophomore Year as an UXID Student

    Sophomore year in the User Experience and Interaction Design (UXID) program at Drexel University takes design skills to the next level. After covering the fundamentals in freshman year, students now dive deeper into interaction design, usability testing, and more advanced prototyping techniques. This year is all about refining skills, tackling real-world projects, and preparing for future co-op opportunities.

    Core Classes

    The courses in sophomore year build on foundational knowledge, introducing more complex design concepts and industry tools. Key classes include:

    • Web Design (IDM221, IDM222): Learn how to create and maintain quality web sites, and learn about accessibility and web design standards, and why they are important.
    • Human Factors Engineering (IDM214): Discuss ways of applying psychological and physiological principles to the design of interactive systems, products, processes, and systems to address human capabilities and limitations in ways that ensure safety, effectiveness, and ease of use.
    • Scripting for Interactive Digital Media (IDM231): Explore modern client-side scripting languages that interact with the user, control the browser, communicate asynchronously, and alter document content and functionality.

    Skills You’ll Learn

    By the end of sophomore year, UXID students will have developed essential industry skills, including:

    ✅ Advanced Prototyping – Create high-fidelity designs with tools like Figma and Adobe After Effects.

    ✅ Usability Testing & Research – Conduct A/B testing, analyze user behavior, and refine user experiences.

    ✅ Web Development – Use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to bring your designs to life.

    ✅ Accessibility & Inclusive Design – Ensure products are usable for diverse audiences.

    Projects & Challenges

    Sophomore year coursework emphasizes real-world applications. Expect projects that involve designing full user interfaces, conducting user research, and building interactive prototypes. A major challenge at this stage is balancing design and functionality—ensuring that an interface is not just visually appealing but also intuitive and accessible.

    Tips for Success

    🎯 Refine your portfolio. Start documenting projects and case studies for future co-op applications.

    🎯 Hone your research skills. Usability testing and user feedback are crucial for great design.

    🎯 Experiment with coding. Even a basic understanding of JavaScript can give designers an edge.

    🎯 Network and seek mentorship. Connecting with UX professionals can open doors to internships and career opportunities.

    Looking Ahead

    Sophomore year is a crucial time for skill-building and preparation for Drexel’s co-op program. The next step? Pre-Junior year introduces more specialized courses, industry collaborations, and professional experience through co-op placements.

  • Freshman Year as an UXID Student

    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
    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.