{"id":33743,"date":"2023-01-25T07:58:53","date_gmt":"2023-01-25T12:58:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/2023\/01\/25\/media-arts-design-and-technology-department-embraces-name-change-to-highlight-the-future-of-design\/"},"modified":"2026-07-26T12:21:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T16:21:44","slug":"media-arts-design-and-technology-department-embraces-name-change-to-highlight-the-future-of-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/2023\/01\/25\/media-arts-design-and-technology-department-embraces-name-change-to-highlight-the-future-of-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Media Arts, Design and Technology Department Embraces Name Change to Highlight the Future of Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Art + Design Department in the NC State College of Design will now be known by a new name, the Department of Media Arts, Design and Technology, affectionately known as MADTech. This new departmental name change helps communicate the curricular offerings, faculty expertise, and careers that stem from the department.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis name change reflects a shift in the future of our department towards the emerging trends in digital media production. It aligns with our academic content, our faculty expertise, and focuses on the areas of the profession that use emerging technology for creative use,\u201d says Dr. Derek Ham, department head of media arts, design and technology. \u201cWe also believe that this name change will further highlight the STEM-focused areas of our programs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Students in the Department of Media Arts, Design and Technology can pursue tracks in gaming and interaction design, animation, and fiber arts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/shawn-gibson-vr-experience-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"Shawn Gibson, great-grandson of Negro League Baseball Player Josh Gibson, uses facial recognition software to create a realistic AR  experience as part of Barnstormers: Determined to Win\" class=\"wp-image-33064\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sean Gibson, great-grandson of Negro League Baseball Player Josh Gibson, is scanned with facial recognition software&nbsp;to&nbsp;animate&nbsp;realistic&nbsp;CGI&nbsp;likeness of his ancestor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For several years, faculty have instructed students on the principles of media arts, design and technology and their relevant applications in society. Courses like <em>ADN 311: Creative Coding<\/em> introduce computer programming to students, allowing them to move beyond the development of purely aesthetic designs to projects that are technically and intellectually forward.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Further, this shift highlights what those in the program have always known \u2013 this isn\u2019t a fine-arts based program. This departmental name shift hopes to realign prospective students and faculty with programmatic offerings and prepare graduates for successful careers in the media industry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOver the past decade, our curriculum has been substantially redesigned to address these imperatives,\u201d says Ham. \u201cOur courses address design + technology issues, the impactful creation of immersive media (such as VR, AR, &amp; XR), and design systems that improve and enrich the human experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The realignment in curriculum has led to <a href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/about\/rankings\/\">high rankings nationally<\/a> in animation, game design, and augmented and virtual reality. The program is ranked at #14 for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animationcareerreview.com\/articles\/top-25-public-game-design-schools-and-colleges-us-2022-rankings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">top public game design programs in the U.S.<\/a>, #20 for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animationcareerreview.com\/articles\/top-40-public-animation-schools-and-colleges-us-2023-college-rankings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">top public animation colleges<\/a>, and #12 for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animationcareerreview.com\/articles\/top-25-public-augmentedvirtual-reality-arvr-schools-us-2021-college-rankings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">top public augmented and virtual reality colleges in the U.S.<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Art2Wear 2021 | Advance Into Virtual Reality\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zTcYocnBEQI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The 2021 Art2Wear show used Google Cardboard to provide a 360-degree viewing experience. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Art2Wear annual production embraced the challenge of incorporating interactive design and VR as part of its annual display in 2021. Utilizing Google cardboard headsets, you could experience 360\u00b0 views of each designer\u2019s collection, as well as view short narratives on each collection. The resulting storytelling experience paved the way for even more interactive elements to be incorporated into future, in-person productions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCreating during a pandemic really pushed our designers to bring the skills they were learning outside the Art2Wear studio into the event,\u201d says Kate Greder, assistant teaching professor of media arts, design and technology. \u201cBeing compelled to move from a physical runway show to a hybrid environment freed the students to explore their creativity in different ways, and it was reflected in their collections.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ham hopes this name change will also signal a new willingness to partner in interdisciplinary work across campus. \u201cThe department\u2019s new name is a theme that is core to all of our design studios, and serves as a foundation for professional focus. Our faculty are using immersive storytelling augmented with VR and AR, designing interactive public artwork, creating game and interactive designs, and using visual narratives for social justice,\u201d he adds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Leading by Design &#8211; Shaping the Next 75 Years<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the department looks forward to the future of design and storytelling, the College of Design is exploring what the future of the profession may look like as part of the 75th-anniversary celebration of the college in 2023.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Leading by Design celebrates and recognizes the impact that the College of Design has had on NC State and beyond while exploring what will propel us and drive us toward the next 75 years. Learn more at <a href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/75th\/\">design.ncsu.edu\/75th<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>This post was <a href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/blog\/2023\/01\/25\/madtech-name-change\/\">originally published<\/a> in College of Design Blog.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false,"raw":"<!-- wp:ncst\/dynamic-header -->\n<!-- wp:ncst\/default-post-header \/-->\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/dynamic-header -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Art + Design Department in the NC State College of Design will now be known by a new name, the Department of Media Arts, Design and Technology, affectionately known as MADTech. This new departmental name change helps communicate the curricular offerings, faculty expertise, and careers that stem from the department.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cThis name change reflects a shift in the future of our department towards the emerging trends in digital media production. It aligns with our academic content, our faculty expertise, and focuses on the areas of the profession that use emerging technology for creative use,\u201d says Dr. Derek Ham, department head of media arts, design and technology. \u201cWe also believe that this name change will further highlight the STEM-focused areas of our programs.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Students in the Department of Media Arts, Design and Technology can pursue tracks in gaming and interaction design, animation, and fiber arts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":33064,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/shawn-gibson-vr-experience-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"Shawn Gibson, great-grandson of Negro League Baseball Player Josh Gibson, uses facial recognition software to create a realistic AR  experience as part of Barnstormers: Determined to Win\" class=\"wp-image-33064\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sean Gibson, great-grandson of Negro League Baseball Player Josh Gibson, is scanned with facial recognition software&nbsp;to&nbsp;animate&nbsp;realistic&nbsp;CGI&nbsp;likeness of his ancestor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For several years, faculty have instructed students on the principles of media arts, design and technology and their relevant applications in society. Courses like <em>ADN 311: Creative Coding<\/em> introduce computer programming to students, allowing them to move beyond the development of purely aesthetic designs to projects that are technically and intellectually forward.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Further, this shift highlights what those in the program have always known \u2013 this isn\u2019t a fine-arts based program. This departmental name shift hopes to realign prospective students and faculty with programmatic offerings and prepare graduates for successful careers in the media industry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cOver the past decade, our curriculum has been substantially redesigned to address these imperatives,\u201d says Ham. \u201cOur courses address design + technology issues, the impactful creation of immersive media (such as VR, AR, &amp; XR), and design systems that improve and enrich the human experience.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The realignment in curriculum has led to <a href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/about\/rankings\/\">high rankings nationally<\/a> in animation, game design, and augmented and virtual reality. The program is ranked at #14 for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animationcareerreview.com\/articles\/top-25-public-game-design-schools-and-colleges-us-2022-rankings\">top public game design programs in the U.S.<\/a>, #20 for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animationcareerreview.com\/articles\/top-40-public-animation-schools-and-colleges-us-2023-college-rankings\">top public animation colleges<\/a>, and #12 for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animationcareerreview.com\/articles\/top-25-public-augmentedvirtual-reality-arvr-schools-us-2021-college-rankings\">top public augmented and virtual reality colleges in the U.S.<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:embed {\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zTcYocnBEQI\\u0026amp;embeds_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fdesign.ncsu.edu%2F\\u0026amp;embeds_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fdesign.ncsu.edu\\u0026amp;feature=emb_imp_woyt\",\"type\":\"video\",\"providerNameSlug\":\"youtube\",\"responsive\":true,\"className\":\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zTcYocnBEQI&amp;embeds_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fdesign.ncsu.edu%2F&amp;embeds_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fdesign.ncsu.edu&amp;feature=emb_imp_woyt\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The 2021 Art2Wear show used Google Cardboard to provide a 360-degree viewing experience. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:embed -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Art2Wear annual production embraced the challenge of incorporating interactive design and VR as part of its annual display in 2021. Utilizing Google cardboard headsets, you could experience 360\u00b0 views of each designer\u2019s collection, as well as view short narratives on each collection. The resulting storytelling experience paved the way for even more interactive elements to be incorporated into future, in-person productions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cCreating during a pandemic really pushed our designers to bring the skills they were learning outside the Art2Wear studio into the event,\u201d says Kate Greder, assistant teaching professor of media arts, design and technology. \u201cBeing compelled to move from a physical runway show to a hybrid environment freed the students to explore their creativity in different ways, and it was reflected in their collections.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Ham hopes this name change will also signal a new willingness to partner in interdisciplinary work across campus. \u201cThe department\u2019s new name is a theme that is core to all of our design studios, and serves as a foundation for professional focus. Our faculty are using immersive storytelling augmented with VR and AR, designing interactive public artwork, creating game and interactive designs, and using visual narratives for social justice,\u201d he adds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3><strong>Leading by Design - Shaping the Next 75 Years<\/strong><\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As the department looks forward to the future of design and storytelling, the College of Design is exploring what the future of the profession may look like as part of the 75th-anniversary celebration of the college in 2023.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Leading by Design celebrates and recognizes the impact that the College of Design has had on NC State and beyond while exploring what will propel us and drive us toward the next 75 years. Learn more at <a href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/75th\/\">design.ncsu.edu\/75th<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Art + Design Department in the NC State College of Design will now be known by a new name, the Department of Media Arts, Design and Technology, affectionately known as MADTech. \u201cThis name change reflects a shift in the future of our department towards the emerging trends in digital media production&#8221; says Department Head Derek Ham. &#8220;It aligns with our academic content, our faculty expertise, and focuses on the areas of the profession that use emerging technology for creative use.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":33744,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"ncstate_wire","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[76],"class_list":["post-33743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-_from-newswire-collection-435"],"displayCategory":null,"acf":{"ncst_posts_meta_modified_date":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33743","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33743"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33743\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34233,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33743\/revisions\/34233"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33743"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/mad-tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}