Master of Digital Media students display final projects at Industry Day
The tenth cohort of the Master of Digital Media (MDM) program showcased their projects at Industry Day, called Digital Ripple. The projects ranged from using virtual reality to embody a shopping experience to digital media installations that transcend international borders.
According to MDM Graduate Program Director Alex Ferworn, “Industry day provides our MDM students a meaningful and effective means to both recognize that they have done something new, hard and in some cases miraculous while acknowledging their research contributions to the burgeoning field of digital media and showing it all to the world.”
The Master of Digital Media Program (MDM) (opens in new window) is a one-year graduate program that launches graduates into the world of digital media innovation. Candidates from different disciplines are challenged to come up with innovative digital media solutions to everyday programs while exploring new skill sets and innovative technologies.
“From film and television, to theme parks, digital media startups, and academia, graduates of The Creative School’s MDM program at Toronto Metropolitan University are making a meaningful and positive impact,” said MDM Manager Namir Ahmed.
Aya Elmeligy, MDM candidate, shares that the connection between digital media and art inspired her to create an installation centred around digital technology. Elmeligy also wants to inspire others to look at digital media as a space for communication.
“Blurring boundaries between digital media and art is something that I have always been interested in. I believe that digital media art is a great tool to evoke emotions and ideas that might be overlooked since we are always surrounded by digital technology,” she explained. “I am hoping that through these kinds of installations, people get to rethink our methods of communication and what the ability to connect across space means.”
MDM candidate Aya Elmeligy with her installation at Industry Day
Elmeligy expresses her gratitude for The Creative School’s faculty and facilities that made her installation and Industry Day possible and says she is honoured to have been a part of such a distinctive program.
“The most rewarding part of my MDM journey is the faculty and facilities, I truly believe that my project would not have been possible without my supervisor Jonathon Anderson and the Design + Technology LAB at The Creative School,” she said. “Having access to state-of-the-art equipment such as robotics that is only available for students at The Creative School makes MDM a unique program.”
Ahmed agreed, adding that “MDM’s home within The Creative School allows its students wide access to the tools and expertise they need to be successful including cutting-edge media creation studios, design and prototyping facilities, as well as access to TMU’s Zone Network."
Creating experiences in extended reality
MDM candidate Himanshu Aneja’s research project focuses on exploring how present online retail experiences can be improved as we gradually advance toward the mainstream adoption of Extended Reality devices and Metaverse-like concepts. He says he was inspired by mixed reality experiences to create an experience in the extended reality field.
“As a digital product designer, I've designed numerous mobile and desktop experiences. At the same time, Extended Reality (XR) has been one of the fields in which I've been extremely interested for many years. For my project, I wanted to combine my existing skills and new interests to create a Mixed Reality (MR) experience that would allow me to broaden my current skill set as a product designer while solving a novel research problem in the field of Extended Reality,” he explained.
MDM candidate Himanshu Aneja with his mixed reality technology display at Industry Day
Integrating gamified education
MDM candidate Annie Le explored public safety education through gaming for her research project, focusing on how Ontario can leverage gamified education to prepare citizens for emergency situations.
MDM candidate Annie Le with her final project, focusing on public safety education through gamificiation
“My research project explores the benefits of gamified education and how serious games can be great education tool candidates for public safety and emergency preparedness education,” she explained. “The research is accompanied by a game play through prototypes geared towards children, teaching young players how to prepare for cold weather related emergencies.”
Ahmed is grateful for the success of the program’s tenth Industry Day.
“Industry day gives our students a chance to network, connect, and really show-off the hard work they’ve been engaged in for an entire year,” he said. “It allows them the opportunity to really talk with their audiences and industry professionals.”
The MDM program is making an impact in the future of digital media.
To explore the summaries of all MDM 10.0 students, visit the Industry Day website (opens in new window) .
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Comprised of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.