The Future of Design is Online
SCAD associate dean of entertainment and media Marcia Lyons began working with real-time digital media platforms at Weta Digital, a New Zealand-based visual effects company founded by Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson. While at Weta, Lyons — isolated on an island 20 hours from the closest U.S. airport — understood the importance of real-time digital communication and implementing collaborative platforms and meeting tools. Today, Lyons, who holds a PhD in live media, applies her expertise at SCAD, where she is preparing the next generation of world-changing designers for their creative careers.
Marcia Lyons:
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a huge paradigm shift in the art and design world. Before our current reality, in-person meetings and hours-long consultations were the norm. We leaned over tables, met over lunch, and talked over each other in order to create. Today, and going forward, this will be done online — and it will be revolutionary.
Web-based platforms and software updates will allow creatives from across the world to be part of the conversation. Voices and ideas that were excluded before will now be sought after. Work flows and preconceived notions of how work happens have changed forever. Employees work across platforms in real-time collaboration around the world, including editing and open source work flows online.
Industries will be able to step back, reassess their current work force, strategies, and virtual work-flows, and make monumental changes. We are at the precipice of a dynamic shift, and a successful university must be prepared to ensure our students are going to play a major part in the future.
When I arrived at SCAD earlier this summer, the leadership team was well under way making the necessary changes for the upcoming school year. Their understanding of the needs of the students has allowed us to work quickly and decisively. I have never been part of an organization that was able to, and willing to, implement necessary change so fast.
I have been working directly with my faculty to ensure the online learning environment is as robust and impactful as traditional in class instruction. Our curriculum is in place, and we are ready to execute on our plan both in person when we are able to, and via online and virtual platforms.
Several of the changes we have implemented have already made significant impacts including engaging artists through our virtual conversation series Guests and Gusto, and class ZOOM discussions. We recently hosted Brendan Dawes, a U.K.-based artist and designer who uses generative processes involving data, machine learning, and algorithms to create interactive installations speak to our students.
Technology and science are only going to open up more avenues for collaboration and creativity. We are going to push our students to pursue innovation regardless of the external limitations. Eliminating the barriers of location and distance will enhance the final product. We are committed to making sure SCAD students are ready to step in and be a part of that seismic change.
By Robert Almand
