New student and staff Interactive Media Lab opens at UNSW Art & Design
Published on the 14 Sep 2016
A new creative technology making facility has opened on UNSW Art & Design’s Paddington campus. The Interactive Media Lab (IML) is a new open-access environment where students and staff are invited to share skills, discuss ideas and experiment with creative coding methods and interactive technologies.
The IML opened with a two-session industry symposium. The first session was led by Dr Oliver Bown and explored the Creative Internet of Things, tools, technologies and the future landscape, featuring Michela Ledwidge & Mish Sparks (Mod Productions), Jonathan Richards (Google Creative Labs), Rene Christen (Code on Canvas) and Bruce Ramus (Ramus Illumination).
The second component was chaired by Dr George Khut and examined Interactive Media economies, collaborations and partnerships and included discussions with Alexia Estrellado (City of Sydney), Tara Morelos (dLux Media Arts), Bruce Tulloch (BitScope Designs) and Lukasz Karluk (Code on Canvas).
The Symposium was followed by an Interactive Media Showcase and opening party which presented the latest interactive media work by students, alumni and staff across campus including in the IML, Black Box and courtyard. The showcase featured large-scale installations, performances and interactive demonstrations of new VR technologies.
The vision for the IML is to establish and maintain an accessible and inclusive environment for creative engagement with interactive technologies, facilitating opportunities for skill development, a place for exchange and critical discussion, and a hub for connecting students and researchers with Sydney’s dynamic interactive media industry.
The Lab is led by faculty academics and interactive media practitioners Dr Oliver Bown, Brad Miller, Dr George Khut, and Dr Alex Davies, with Luke Killen and the Computing Services Unit. The Interactive Media Lab invites participation and involvement from all staff and students and is focussed on increasing the participation of women in the Lab and the development and presentation of IML events.
The IML will be offering Open-Access Events throughout the year including an ongoing series of talks, demonstrations and workshops presented by UNSW students, staff and guest artists, designers, producers and creative technologists. These events will provide informal opportunities for skill sharing and exchange – and are central to the vision for the Interactive Media Lab as a maker space and creative hub.
Currently open and located in A block, everyone is welcome to visit and join this community of innovative designers and artists. Please drop in anytime.