Viewfinder - Media Arts and Technology, MS Student Magazine

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Viewfinder Magazine

Acknowledgements The Class of 2021 would like to acknowledge those who made this hectic year a reality, despite the circumstances of being in the midst of a global pandemic.

This tough and one-year masters degree was a significant challenge for us.

We would like to thank each of our professors for their ability to cultivate an expansive learning experience in spite of the need for social distancing and contact safety cautions. We would like to thank RIT for taking the measures to go above and beyond what other colleges and universities were doing in response to COVID-19 so that we could come to school in-person and use the equipment and software offered through the College of Art and Design.

We would like to acknowledge the students and faculty who submitted photographs for this magazine, including Rebekah Hange, Nikita Fox, Michael Peres, and many more.

We would like to thank Kelly Sorensen and Aaron Garland for their suggestions to our magazine ideas and the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences for the grant needed to print copies of Viewfinder. We would like to thank Nikita Fox for her important contributions to the magazine that allowed Viewfinder to happen when time was running out. Finally, we would like to thank the MAAT program for bringing all seven of us together. The year provided endless laughs, learning experiences, and many lifelong friendships have been formed.

- Allie Bergeman, Alexa Ralston, and Emilie Ravena

Table of Contents About Viewfinder — 02 What is Media Arts and Technology? — 03 Meet the Editors — 04 Meet the Professors — 07 Program Courses — 12 Access to Equipment — 18 MAAT Survival Guide — 20 Meet the Class of 2020 — 23 Meet the Class of 2021 — 27 School of Photographic Arts and Sciences Facilities — 34

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About Viewfinder This is the first edition of Viewfinder, a student publication of the Media Arts and Technology (MAAT) program at Rochester Institute of Technology. This edition was printed April 30, 2021, including 9671 words and 32 figures. The typeface used in this magazine is Arial. Viewfinder was printed at Mercury Print Productions located in Rochester, NY, and was printed on a Xerox IGen5 digital press. Professor Michael Peres was the advisor for the production of this magazine.

Viewfinder is a student magazine produced by the Media Arts and Technology program. In Viewfinder, student editors have the opportunity to practice what they are studying. Viewfinder is published to educate and inspire prospective students about opportunities they can find in the program and what to expect during their experiences. The magazine provides editors the opportunity to create media and messaging about the MAAT community and communicate while intense, it is not a scary place! In the magazine, the editors shared a “survival guide” about managing class work and life during the intensity of the academic experiences.

Viewfinder was created to celebrate the accomplishments of students current and past, and share careers for some Media Arts and Technology alumni. We hope you enjoy the magazine and consider joining our community!

Our Mission

Our mission for Viewfinder is to communicate to–and inspire–prospective students about the program and the educational opportunities it presents. Through our stories, we hope to show that applying for the program should not be viewed as a scary thing! In Viewfinder, we will share a “survival guide” on how to manage your work life within the program. Most importantly we want to celebrate the accomplishments of students from previous years, along with giving a sneak peek into the careers one can expect after graduating from the MAAT major.

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What is Media Arts and Technology?

Media Arts and Technology is a one-year masters of science program that explores the reasons for and the making of images. It provides students with experiences using image making devices as well as investigating imaging practices, business applications of media, and project management. Using hands-on exercises, students use a wide variety of imaging devices that investigate message design and distribution. Classroom topics use the visual graphics pipeline including audience identification, development of a messaging strategy, and concludes with distribution. Program classes allow students to dip their toes in different areas of the industry and broaden their skills. The program concludes with a capstone project using, and enhancing new skills required to complete a self-directed project.

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Meet the Editors Allie Bergeman

One of the best elements of the Media Arts and Technology graduate program is the diversity of the student cohort who enter from a wide array of undergraduate programs. Undergraduate degrees in Art or Design are not required for admission into this program. This can be beneficial to both students and professors in the program because it allows members of the community to learn from one another and offers unique ideas and perspectives in classes and class projects. Each of my coeditors came from different backgrounds.

I have a bachelor of science degree in Business Marketing and my hobbies include exercising, socializing with friends and family, and art. Because of my prior job experiences, I wanted to become an editor to build on my background in content development, managing social media marketing campaigns, and writing marketing-driven stories used to drive interest in organizations. I was also interested in becoming an editor to build on strengths and contribute creativity to the magazine. I have enjoyed playing an active role in mapping out the content layout strategy, brainstorming potential stories, content creation, and taking an active role in rallying MAAT students and professors for information and story content. A personal goal was to gain firsthand experiences in content development and design.

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Alexa Ralston

I graduated from Nazareth College May 2020 with a bachelor of science degree in Business Management and a minor in the Entertainment and Recording Industry. I decided to further my education at RIT with the goal of learning more about the technology side of the business industry. My hobbies include reading, binge watching shows on Netflix, hanging out with friends, making music, playing the piano, singing, and completing jigsaw puzzles during COVID-19. With a background in music, I enjoy learning how to combine art with business to produce a more entertaining user experience.

Through my experiences working in recording studios and making music for local commercials, I have gained knowledge concerning how important visual media is to the consumer when advertising products. My hopes for Viewfinder is to share with incoming students the breadth of the Media Arts and Technology program. I also hope that students through Viewfinder will get to know the personalities of the wonderful professors so that they won’t be as nervous as I was when they finally begin the program.

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Emilie Ravena

I graduated from RIT in May 2020 with a bachelor of fine arts degree in New Media Design. I decided to come back to RIT to get my masters degree in Media Arts and Technology with the goal of expanding upon current design knowledge and exploring new technology. I wanted to learn more about the technical aspects of media; how to analyze market trends, create digital asset management systems, and explore new technologies. Through my undergraduate degree and previous job experiences, I have developed a strong background in User Interface/User Experience design and development.

Because of my graphic design undergraduate experiences, I chose to focus my contributions to Viewfinder on the design and development activities. I also contributed to the content development and organization. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in my final semester of completing my BFA degree, I was unable to celebrate my hard work with my peers by presenting my capstone project at the end of the semester. One of my goals for Viewfinder was to make sure the MAAT class of 2021 had documentation of their time in the program so they could be proud of their accomplishments.

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Meet the Professors

Michael Peres

Michael has been teaching at RIT since 1986. He loves teaching and working with bright and passionate young people. He is very experimental in his teaching and enjoys trying new things in the classroom using discovery learning activities. His primary area of expertise is biomedical photographic communications and light microscopy, but he also teaches courses in digital media foundations. He enjoys publishing and shares his work using traditional and social media channels.

In the last 12 months, he published three new books including Images from Science 3, Snowflake Science Activity Book, and Natural Science Imaging and Photography. When not working, Michael is fascinated with perennial gardening and photographing snowflakes in the winter. He really loves spending time with his family and dogs.

Students Share: Michael is a wonderful professor and program director. He cares so deeply about his students and wants nothing more than to see them succeed. Michael is always more than willing to help his students in any way possible and will check in on them as if they were his own kids! He is easy to converse with, and excited about all of his students’ futures. He is a talented photographer and professor, and his love of capturing snowflakes will put a smile on your face!

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Christine Heusner

Christine Heusner is a senior lecturer in the Department of Graphic Media Science and Technology. She teaches courses in photography, digital content management, imaging workflows, retouching, typography, and page design. She is an exhibiting artist, and her digital and photographic work has been shown internationally in public exhibitions. Prior to RIT, she worked in photographic studios specializing in commercial and portrait photography, design, and fine-art printing. Christine received her BA in Art with a concentration in photography from Elmira College and her MFA in Imaging Arts from Rochester Institute of Technology.

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Students Share: Three words to describe Christine are lively, smart, and joyful. I don’t think she has ever been in a bad mood in her life!

She loves to involve the class as much as possible and does a great job of ensuring that students understand the content she is teaching. She has years of experience, and offers a creative, hands-on learning approach to her classes. She goes out of her way to enrich the minds of her students. She is so personable, and always a pleasure to be around.

Jenn Poggi

Jenn Poggi is an assistant professor in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences. Prior to RIT, Jenn worked as a picture editor and deputy director of the White House Photo Office under President Barack Obama. Before working at the White House, she worked at the Associated Press, U.S. News & World Report and was a John S. and James L. Knight Fellow at Ohio University’s School of Visual Communication. She was a member of the 2017 Women’s Executive Leadership Program at the Impact Center and currently serves on the board and faculty of The Kalish Visual Editing Workshop. In her free time, Poggi travels, runs, eats adventurously, and attends live performance of all sorts.

Students Share: This is Jenn’s first year teaching in the program, and she has been a great addition. She has so much experience to share, which is so beneficial to MAAT students. Jenn is bright, kind, and extremely passionate about the class she teaches. She is a natural-born leader.

She does a fabulous job of encouraging her students to reflect on themselves to grow as young professionals. Jenn is very approachable, a great speaker, and a great listener. She is a wonderful role model for her students.

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Bob Rose

Bob Rose began working at RIT in 2015. As one of many professors who returned to RIT to pay his knowledge forward, Bob graduated with a BS degree in Professional Photography from RIT’s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences. With more than 35 years of experience as a photographer, consultant, and educator, Bob has brought a wealth of industry experience and advice to share as examples in his classroom.

He served as Editor-at-Large for Photo District News & Rangefinder magazines for 17 years overviewing new products and technologies. He also served as a consultant to photographic companies when making important business decisions.

Bob has photographed on six continents and underwater in four oceans. He has published countless articles and has two patents to his credit. He was also the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Chuck Westfall Technical Education Award.

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Students Share: Bob is an incredible professor, with years of experience, stories, and knowledge. He will often crack subtle jokes in class and loves to understand what his students are passionate about. He will push students to apply what they learn in his class to the real world and their desired industry.

The content he teaches is tough, but he is always willing to offer extra help.

Bob ensures that his students are wellequipped for their futures. He truly wants to see all of us succeed.

Stephen Viggiano

Steve Viggiano has been at RIT since the early 1970s as a student, a professional staff member in the RIT Research Corporation, and now an assistant professor where he teaches programming, optics, and color reproduction courses.

He became interested in printing and graphic arts when he was 10 years old.

Process Photography–where huge sheets of film were exposed in giant camera negatives for printing plates–was a source of fascination. Most of his current research is in color and earned a Ph.D. in Color Science. His current research is studying extended-gamut RGB color spaces, models for color hardcopy with possible improvements in color encoding. Dr. V. is radio-active and holds the highest class of combined operator license/station license issued by the Federal Communications Commission. He communicates with radio amateurs all over the world and has earned several awards. His latest curiosity is a small steel guitar.

Students Share: Dr. Viggiano is extremely smart. He will win you over with his goofy humor, and love of creating memes! He probably knows more about printing than anyone on this planet and he has fantastic stories about his experiences. He taught the first semester of our Capstone I course. He does a great job of keeping students on track and teaches the fundamentals of self-guided projects. I think everyone would agree that Dr. Viggiano doesn’t have a mean bone in his body!

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Program Courses

by Allie Bergeman

Call us biased, but the Media Arts and Technology graduate program is one of the more special programs offered at RIT. Each student in the program has a different undergraduate background which inspires us to learn from one another–a perk of the program. I bet most of us did not know that would be the case. But aside from that advantage, the program offers an array of courses intended to enrich minds and stimulate self-growth. Through industry, media, and a technology-rich curriculum, professors encourage students to maximize experiences at RIT. Professors establish the goals and objectives of the curriculum, but they also encourage us to take advantage of the tools and resources supplied by RIT to drive our projects to their fullest potential.

In this sense, we are given the freedom to imagine new potentials for our assignments needed to produce something incredible.

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But what exactly is taught and learned in these courses? I had the same questions when I was researching this graduate program. And what I can tell you as a current student is that this program has exceeded my expectations.

In one semester, we learned more about equipment and software than most of us had ever experienced in our undergrad programs.

Prior to coming into this program, the only camera I knew how to operate was my smartphone. After the completion of our first semester, I can say that I can operate a DSLR camera and various affiliated photography accessories with confidence. That does not include the introduction to zoom recorders, the scanning of analogue materials, and learning the vast functions encompassed in Adobe® Creative Suite. Each lesson is strategically designed to introduce and explain how to use equipment, software, and create intended goals, followed by the expectation of students to learn by doing. Our professors have mastered the technique of combining teaching and applied learning so that students can carry knowledge of equipment and skills learned into their futures.

If you are thinking, “okay, but I already have experience working with all of this equipment and software”–let me finish! Think about your experiences when saving and managing your photos, documents, and files of all kind. I am willing to guess that your file server looks a lot like mine did when I came into this program.

My files were named and organized randomly, with zero consistency, and no method to the madness. Searchability of my assets took hours, as I needed to pluck through dozens of folders. This program saved me, and I’m sure plenty of my classmates, from this vicious cycle, through introducing the concept of Digital Asset Management (DAM). In this course, we learned everything from file naming structure, keywording, metadata, standard operating procedures, and so much more!

We even had the opportunity to work with the Vignelli Center for Design Studies, a digital archive that was donated to RIT, and one that is in the process of going completely digital.

As students, we helped the lead archivist establish a digital asset management system for RIT, experiment with image capture, and sort through dozens of images belonging to the archive with the goal of making these images accessible globally. Coming in with a background in marketing, where I was responsible for thousands of digital assets, a data asset management system would have saved my life. Take it from me–digital asset management is a key to business success, and being skilled in this area would make life easier for many. I believe it will make me stand out as a candidate to future employers.

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Earlier, I acknowledged applied learning, a technique used by the professors that is heavily utilized when working with media.

This teaching style overlaps across all our courses. We learn about industry trends and opportunities, a topic that opened my eyes in so many ways. Working with media and technology has expanded my skillset immensely. When you then analyze industry trends, business operations, and strategic opportunities, the scope of your learning increases exponentially. You will have the opportunity to read about other companies, their successes and failures, and apply those elements to current business operations. Your perception of business operations will become absolutely amplified as you identify which businesses are exemplary and begin to be able to offer valuable insight to businesses that can improve. Ultimately, studying industry trends and opportunities in tandem with media, and digital asset management has painted the entire picture for me. Being skilled in working with media and digital assets is certainly appealing, but when you can take those skills one step further by understanding the business ecosystem, identifying deficits, and jumping on opportunity, you become so much more marketable as a media guru.

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A second Industry Trends and Opportunities “type” course continues in the next semester. The course digs deeper through a more personal exploration. Instead of simply reading and analyzing business mistakes, methods for improvement, and predicting trends, we are challenged to apply that knowledge to current companies and examples in a course that focuses on implementing business change. This course is another great example of applied learning, and here–we connect what we learn to companies and examples that are particularly interesting to us. This class is the perfect combination of reading, applications, and open discussion. It is another environment in which we can learn from each other and enhance our understanding.

Another course requirement explores contemporary media in various industries. In this class, we learn how digital technology disrupted the print industry and the changes it caused in the media communications industry the current world is experiencing. We also explore the way in which media platforms have evolved to meet changing consumer needs and devices. With this information you have the opportunity to bring what you’ve learned into a “company” of your choosing that explores communications through various media challenges.

The second semester focuses heavily on enhancing skills as a young professional and instilling confidence needed to hit the ground running in future employment opportunities.

We are afforded the occasion to learn how to be a leader in a creative space. This class helps you channel the person you admire, evolving into the person you want to be when you close your chapter at RIT. We are taught to look inward, identify current strengths, personality traits, weaknesses, and levels of goals that can help us overcome what we have determined as areas for improvement. With that information, we establish our personal master plan, and take the corresponding measures to start to bring that plan to life.

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An important class that equips us for bright futures focuses on creative workflow and project management. Ever wonder if there were a way to complete a task or portion of a project by working smarter rather than harder?

This is exactly what workflow is all about. We learn streamlining exercises intended to make processes repeatable, consistent, and efficient.

We become aware of workflow methodologies and the tools and resources available to help manage projects. Each of these concepts tie in perfectly with that of our self-directed capstone projects–the year-long project that will become your “baby” by the time you graduate.

Ahh Capstone, the only course in this accelerated program that is designed completely by you. Sure, we have to produce a giant paper, poster, and presentation that depicts our research findings, and product or solution, but all of these deliverables are tied to a concept of interest that we get to choose.

Through managing the project, (with the guidance of your advisor), partaking in heavy research or development, and an analysis of your findings, your capstone will be one of the most fulfilling projects of your life. You might curse it along the way, you might lose a few hours of sleep, and you might sometimes roll your eyes at your advisors, but when you finally hit “submit” on those tedious deliverables, you will feel an immense sense of pride, gratification, and self-regard.

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Ok, so now you have the low-down of what the program is and what it offers, what does that mean for you? Let me tell you–prior to my participation in this graduate program, I had never experienced such a magnitude of self-growth. I had never taken it upon myself to rise up to so many challenges. I had never craved the opportunity to learn like I do now.

And I had never made such a considerable

effort to shape my own future. Media Arts and Technology isn’t just a another degree program, it’s a personal journey. It equips you with tools, resources, learning, professors, and cheerleaders, to inspire and build your future– exceeding more than you could have imagined.

Take it from me, it will be one of the most fulfilling and tiring experiences of your life–and remember, it will be a good tired!

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Access to Equipment

by Alexa Ralston

When working on your assignments, you will have the opportunity to use and master a wide spectrum of technology needed to be successful. The equipment you will use comes from an extensive collection of gear that can be checked out from the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences cage. You will also have access to some really great facilities. Upon entering the program, you should expect to be confronted with a variety of technology that you may not have been exposed to. During the two semesters needed to earn your degree and because of the program’s flexibility, you will have the chance to explore the technology that best suits your interests and project requirements. The following are some examples of equipment that you will be using frequently for MAAT projects.

A digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera, is one type of camera. You will use this device to learn about exposure, image attributes, and how lenses shape images. When light enters the lens of a DSLR, you will see the subject in the viewfinder that is produced by a mirror inside the camera. When the photo is taken, the mirror moves out of the way and the light goes through to the digital image sensor, where the photo is captured and stored onto a SD, or other memory card. Unlike other types of cameras, DSLRs allow the camera body to be used with various lenses and attachments, whether a fisheye or zoom lens.

The camera’s lens focuses light onto a small imaging sensor within the DSLR. If the lens is taken off of the camera, the only image you can produce is white light. There are two types of lenses–prime and zoom. Prime lenses have a fixed focal length and zoom lenses have variable focal lengths.

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You will also use a scanner, sometimes called an image scanner, that optically scans objects such as printed text, or any other analog materials, and converts them into a digital image. Different types of scanners are used everywhere from home to company offices.

We also explored scanning film and other found objects. Scanners are used to take away half-tone dots as well as create large high-resolution files.

During one assignment, we used a Zoom recorder, a device that can be used with various kinds of XLR microphones for capturing sound. With two condenser microphones built in to the top of the device, the Zoom Recorder can be used on its own to record instruments, voices and other sounds.

We spent months of our lives using the Adobe Creative Suite, a collection of graphic design, video editing and web development applications created by Adobe. Included within the Adobe Creative Cloud are Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, InDesign, Bridge, After Effects and many others. During your time in the program, you will be using several of these programs on-campus to develop professionallooking projects.

One really fun exercise used a variety of interesting studio lighting equipment. This included many types of studio lights needed to illuminate subjects, as well as using reflectors to add fill light to photographs and manage contrast. While doing your assignments, you will be required to experiment with quite a few tools to help you take the best photos possible without having to be a wiz at the DSLR camera.

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MAAT Survival Guide

by Allie Bergeman

Because of the accelerated nature of the MAAT master’s program, students have to quickly learn the ins-and-outs of maneuvering through the program. The Class of 2021 feels compelled to share our experiences!

Tip One: Manage Your Time Having chatted with the class of 2021, we have come to the consensus that the most prominent advice we can offer is–and we cannot stress this enough–time management.

Even when you feel as though you are ahead, keep running that extra mile. We promise you, it will save you the stress of trying to submit a 9 GB file at midnight, the night right before it is due. It will also give you the opportunity to ask plenty of questions and produce your best work. When Michael Peres asks you to produce a photo of yourself in direct sunlight and use a collapsible reflector to make fill light, don’t wait to go outside with a classmate, in the pouring rain, the day before it’s due, and try to make direct light from car headlights. It will not work. Yes, both of these stories are true. One of us uploaded a 9 GB movie file and all of us photographed an assignment using automobile headlights. You have heard it, probably since middle school, but managing your time and getting ahead, even as early as the first week of school, is the golden advice from the Class of 2021.

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Tip Two: Make Friends with All of Your Classmates This program is small, but we believe that is one of its superpowers! Regardless of if you are shy or timid, always remember that you are among friends. One of the best elements of this program is that there are no cliques.

Everyone befriends everyone, and you will make some of your best memories and friends in the Grad Lab! We suggest exchanging contact information with your other classmates early on. It is the best way to bounce ideas off one another, ask questions, and work together on projects. Plus, when you’ve reached the point of feeling as though your head might explode (kidding, kind’ve) you will have a friend to talk to who can absolutely relate. I have had some of my best laughs in this program, just from getting to know all of my classmates and their different personalities.

Tip Three: Never be Afraid to Ask for Help or Clarification

Tip Four: Don’t Forget to Reward Yourself

I think one of the biggest misconceptions of grad school is that students are supposed to have all the background knowledge they need to accomplish graduate-level assignments.

FAKE NEWS! One of the greatest things about the program is that the professors do an amazing job of creating a nurturing environment for students. Each professor not only cares to know that their students understand what is being taught, but make themselves available to answer questions or provide extra help. Additionally, if students do well on specific assignments, they acknowledge the hard work and job well done by that student. In a program where you are giving it your all 24/7, acknowledgment and reward is everything.

This program is fast-paced and at times exhausting. When you have had what my classmates and I refer to as “a week and a half” in one week, don’t forget to reward yourself for that hard work. Something as simple as not setting an alarm and sleeping in on a Saturday to recharge your batteries can work wonders for your attitude and will set you up for success the next week.

Tip Five: Take Advantage of Your Resources RIT is very different from many colleges and universities. The College of Art and Design offers a huge variety of facilities, work environments, and resources for students. If you don’t explore the tools and resources available to you free of charge while you are here, you will likely regret it. There are few other places in which these opportunities are available, and RIT is uniquely experienced in providing such a wide range of resources and expertise. Additionally, by experimenting with all of these material-rich resources, you will have the opportunity to add some really unique and special pieces to your portfolio.

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Tip Six: Be Thoughtful and Strategic About Your Capstone Work Capstone is one of the more rigorous aspects of this program because it is a self-directed project. However, there are several ways to be successful in selecting your topic. First, identify what it is that you are interested in researching or producing. Make a list of things that interest you, and share these ideas with your professors or other professionals who you can trust will provide you with insightful feedback.

Voicing these interests with other individuals will allow you to turn them into something you can produce or a research question. Once you have established your topic and decided on a research or development project, start your work early. This will not only allow you to assess the viability of your proposed project, but allow you to start thinking about what resources will fit in best for your goals.

Research projects typically involve surveys, and there are several key tips for developing them. First and foremost, identify a few objectives you want achieved. This will help you build an inquiry that meets your needs and goals. Keep your survey as concise and to the point as possible. You are more likely to get participants to take your survey if it does not take up too much time–aim for 5 minutes or less. Finally, for distribution, send the survey to a friend or family member to test it. See if they have any suggestions about the questions or how to answer them. If this person gives you the “OK” to send it out to other people, meaning they had no difficulties or questions in taking the survey, you are ready to distribute it to others. Getting participants can be tricky.

Therefore, it is crucial that you identify as many peers as possible whom you trust will take your survey. Next, utilize their networks. Almost half of the responses that I gained were due to my friends and family members sending the link on to 5 or more of their closest friends.

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In terms of development projects, the best way to stay on track with time is to identify the scope of your project early on. Once you have an idea of how long your project will take to complete, carve out time each week to dedicate toward getting started. It is also a great idea to utilize your winter break for working on your project. It may seem like the worst thing in the world to spend your vacation doing more work, but I promise you, after about the first two or three weeks of break, you will find yourself bored and not knowing what to do with all your time. One of our classmates this year is producing a book about the Rochester Red Wings, in which he is incorporating years of artifacts into his final project. Therefore, many of these artifacts needed to be scanned or photographed and edited. Having spent some time over break toward scanning and photographing materials, he is in a great position with his project, and I have no doubt that it will be nothing short of amazing.

Meet the Class of 2020 In March of 2020, RIT went completely online as the World confronted the COVID-19 pandemic. The Class of 2020 wasn’t able to attend a traditional commencement ceremony. The following pages are dedicated to them. Congratulations Class of 2020. You earned it.

Xiang Chen

Erin Claybaugh

Xiang Chen attended the Hubei Institute of Fine Arts where she earned a BFA degree.

Xiang’s capstone project explored the topic of Audience Preference for Engagement with Online Museums. Xiang’s favorite MAAT memory was working with her classmates and engaging professors. Although she was under a lot of pressure her first semester as a result of the language barrier, Xiang received immense support and encouragement from her fellow classmates and professors. She enjoyed time spent in the Grad Lab where she was able to work and relax after classes. She vividly remembers being placed into a group for a project with her classmates and constantly going off-topic while trying to get work done.

Eventually, her group buckled down and got to work, making a trip to the Grad Lab every Sunday to discuss topics, choose materials and compose content. Xiang’s project turned out perfect!

Erin Claybaugh earned a Bachelors of Arts in Telecommunications from The Pennsylvania State University. Her capstone subject/ project investigated the use of Social Media to Advance Sports Marketing: The Atlantic Hockey Conference. Erin is currently working for RoadRunner Recycling as a business development representative. One of Erin’s favorite MAAT memories was the winter Potluck lunch! It was a lot of fun to try different foods that she wasn’t used to eating and spending time and laughing with her fellow classmates. She can honestly say she’ll never forget eating a chicken claw!

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Logan Land

Xingguizi Li

Logan Land attended RIT where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Management Information Systems. Her capstone centered around social media marketing in the PGA. She is currently a data analyst at Geotab.

During her time in the MAAT program, she recalls making new friends with her classmates and navigating her way through grad school while being the captain of the RIT women’s D1 hockey team.

Xingguizi Li attended the Beijing Forestry University to earn her Bachelors in Art. For her capstone project, she created a picture book of botanical illustrations and photomicrographs for elementary school children. She is currently preparing to apply for a PhD program.

Xingguizi worked as a graduate assistant for Professor Michael Peres and produced promotional materials for the MAAT website.

When she first started the position, there was only basic information available about the program, such as the overview, curriculum and admission requirements. She enjoyed her weekly meetings with Professor Peres, during which they discussed ideas, designs and articles for the website, along with other promotional materials. She has good memories of the help her classmates contributed while developing the website.

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Michele Pompino

Lynne Tseng

Michele Pompino earned a Bachelors of Science in Media Management at St. John Fisher College. For her capstone project, Michele explored Social Media Factors that Influence e-Commerce Buyer Behavior of Millennials and Post-Millennials. She is currently working for EpiCypher where she is a marketing associate. Her favorite MAAT memory was working with the Vignelli Center for Art and Design! She really liked photographing the artifacts and creating promotional materials for the center.

Lynne Tseng attended RIT for her undergraduate studies where she earned a Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Photographic Communications. For her capstone project, Lynne chose to pursue the Implementation of a Digital Asset Management System Using Human-Centered Design. She is currently employed by Rochester Regional Health. During her time in the program, Lynne fondly remembers the time she spent bonding with her classmates in line at the Student Alumni Union for dinner. She remembers sitting together in the cafeteria and telling her classmates all about where to go in town for food and what gear they needed to survive in Rochester. She believes this was an ice breaker moment that allowed her to gain friendships that would withstand the vigorous year-long program, along with the impact of COVID-19 on her Spring 2020 classes.

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XuJun Wu

Mingyue Zhang

XuJun Wu attended both the Hubei University of Technology and the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee for her undergraduate degree in Visual Communication Design. XuJun’s capstone project was focused on Digital Media and Storytelling in the Vignelli Center. She enrolled in MAAT in 2019, which was a new and exciting major for her. She struggled with data management and business analysis, and felt that Professor Chris Bondy’s Wheel Analysis course was very difficult. However, XuJun was able to complete a project on the ride-sharing company Uber and discovered that the company had many shortcomings.

Because of this, she was thankful that she took the class! One of her favorite experiences in the program was a printing class taught by Professor Christine Heusner where she had fun printing t-shirts with a silk-screen press.

Although XuJun thought the one-year program was very short, she made many new friends.

After graduating, she has remained in touch with her classmates and hopes that they continue to do well.

Mingyue Zhang attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for her Bachelors of Arts in Communication Arts. She is currently selfemployed and working on applications for Ph.D. programs. Mingyue’s capstone project explored the Effectiveness of Covert vs. Overt Brand Visibility in Video Advertising. Mingyue’s favorite MAAT memory was the Grad Lab potluck. She loved spending time with her fellow classmates, sharing thoughts and, of course, eating delicious food!

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Meet the Class of 2021 It’s astonishing that a mere 10 months ago, we all met during orientation.

In the time since that day, our lives have been transformed as we worked tirelessly to get to the finish line. As a tribute to “us”, we share the following stories about who we are and what we have accomplished.

Allie Bergeman

I’m Allie Bergeman and I was born and raised in Rochester, New York. If you’re not from here, connect with me and I’ll send you a list of all the best spots in town! In 2018, I graduated from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY, with a bachelors degree in business marketing.

After graduation, I worked in a marketing position at a small non-profit for just shy of two years. I decided that in order to accomplish some of the projects and visions I dreamed of producing in my marketing role, I would need to further my education and gain knowledge of

various media and technology that I did not previously possess. I did some research on graduate programs and found myself right here in the Media Arts and Technology program at RIT. My hobbies include exercising, binge watching all kinds of series on streaming services, and making new friends! I am a social butterfly and enjoy meeting new people and striking up conversations. In addition to pursuing my masters degree, I work alongside Emilie Ravena and Alexa Ralston as a graduate assistant. Our primary role involves producing the first-ever publication of Viewfinder! I am also a note taker for one of my other classes, a position designed to accommodate students in need of support.

After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in marketing or business management. I already know that I will have many memories when I leave RIT, but as of now I truly love spending time with my classmates in the Grad Lab–we all get along so well and share so many laughs! My capstone project involves employing the Internet of Products (IoP) to improve searchability and sales of fashion products in online marketplaces. RIT is a very special place. I look forward to seeing where this masters degree will take me and all of my impressive classmates. Follow me on LinkedIn!

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Joshua Carter

My name is Joshua Carter. I was born and raised in Rochester, New York. I graduated from St. John’s University, where I received a bachelors degree in communications and had a minor in business management. In addition to being a full-time graduate student, I also work as a sales specialist at the Apple Store at the Eastview Mall.

Given the accelerated nature of this program, I have worked tenaciously to balance work and school. I am happy to say that I am succeeding! At the moment, I am not sure what career path will unfold for me after graduation.

I have a great passion for music and I am enjoying the technology elements of this program. I would be thrilled to

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find a job that blends the fields of music and media. My biggest hobby encompasses allthings music–whether it is recording, mixing, or producing, I love it all! I also enjoy playing basketball. Being accepted into the MAAT program was a major accomplishment for me. A few years ago, I applied for another masters program at RIT and did not get accepted. Instead of getting discouraged, I worked on building on my personal strengths and interests. A few years later, here I am!

I would not change this series of events for anything. Being rejected allowed me to refocus and change my perspectives which only reinforced my determination. Sometimes in life you want things but you don’t initially succeed in achieving them. Rejection should not mean you should give up. Be patient and trust the process. Timing is everything! My capstone project is a work in progress. My research is studying the relationship between social media fan engagement and its effect on music streaming for new artists. So far, my experience studying at RIT have been phenomenal. In the short amount of time that I have been here, I am beyond pleased with the equipment and software learned, and the knowledge and experiences gained. The resources, faculty, and program is designed to truly equip students for success. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a member of the Class of 2021! Follow me on LinkedIn!

Giancarlo DiMascio

I am Giancarlo DiMascio and I am originally from Rochester, New York.

Although Rochester is my hometown, I have enjoyed working and traveling across the country for various opportunities. From New York, to South Carolina, or California, I have been to and lived in quite a few places. I received a bachelors degree in business management from RIT. Prior to coming back to school, I worked for the PGA as a U.S. Open Coordinator. What drew me to the MAAT graduate program was the combination of design, communications, business, and contemporary technologies bundled together in one unique program. The program’s ability to focus on a wide array of areas through a vast, accelerated curriculum was, and

still is, impressive to me. After graduation I hope to continue working in the field of sports.

Whether continuing on as a coordinator with new advanced skills, operating social media for professional sports, or being an asset to a professional sports team’s brand marketing department, I would really like to progress in along this career path. My current hobbies include playing and watching golf and other sports, playing guitar, attending concerts, blogging (@springsteenourboss), traveling, and renovating houses. In my previous jobs and experiences, my skills focused around customer service, leadership, public speaking, teamwork, problem solving, and creativity To date, my best moments during this past year involve sharing laughs in the Grad Lab and getting to know everyone. The small program is actually really cool because everyone has the same classes with one another and we have become good friends! In correlation with my love for sports, my capstone project involves digitizing never before seen artifacts for the Rochester Red Wings and creating an archive-like book and website accessible to Red Wings’ fans. I can really say that I’ve enjoyed the program to date. From the faculty, to the curriculum, to my fellow classmates, I think bonds have been formed and we are all starting to get to know each other. It’s been fun! Follow me on LinkedIn!

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Amanda Dixon

My name is Amanda Dixon. I was born and raised in Lima, New York. I graduated from Nazareth College in 2020 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design and a minor in Digital Marketing Design.

Aside from being enrolled as a full-time student at RIT, I work part-time as a host at a restaurant called PF Chang’s. If you have never eaten there, check it out– their food is delicious! I was drawn to the Media Arts and Technology graduate program because my undergraduate major and minor seemed to be a great

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stepping stone for this degree, and I was excited to challenge myself and grow as a young professional. After I graduate in the spring of 2021, I envision a career in graphic design or marketing communications. I am very creative, and I have enjoyed enhancing my practice and skills in graphic design and communication throughout this program. My favorite hobby is horseback riding. I have been riding horses since I was three years old and it is my favorite outlet for stress relief during this fast-paced program. One of my favorite memories so far is heading over to Java’s on campus with my classmates in-between classes. We need all the fuel we can get!

My capstone project involves identifying and researching best graphic design elements and practices for brand success. My time in the program has been wonderful. It’s so cool to work alongside such a diverse group of students, all of whom come from various undergraduate backgrounds. We teach and learn from each other just as much as we learn from our professors. Follow me on LinkedIn!

Nikita Fox

My name is Nikita Fox and I am from Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. I entered the program after finishing my undergraduate at RIT. In May of 2020, I received a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Photographic Imaging Arts and a minor in Imaging Systems. Currently, I work as a graduate assistant for Michael Peres. I gained interest in the program because while I was finishing my undergrad degree, I determined that I really did not want to be exclusively working in photography. While I will always have a passion for photography, I didn’t see myself loving a full-blown career in this field whether as a photographer, an assistant, or a digi-tech. When I heard about the MAAT program, I thought it would be the perfect fit for me. I could

apply my photographic skills and use them to further my knowledge and opportunities.

After graduation, I want to work in the world of content production, whether it be print or digital. Currently I am interested in becoming a manager of a print studio or running a company’s social media accounts. My hobbies include playing volleyball–I have played since 7th grade! I also love to do anything creative like drawing, painting, or sculpture (even if I’m not very good at it). One of my favorite memories from this program was when Allie, Emilie, and I did a photo shoot for a project as part of our Contemporary Media Communications class. We were just messing around taking silly pictures of us in our face masks and it was just a good time.

My capstone idea pertains to researching and potentially developing a two-color printing system to be used in helping companies print images on documents that only usually have text and a logo. My goal for this project is to help companies save money on CMYK printers and inks. Since I started taking MAAT classes while completing my undergraduate degree, I have enjoyed the experience. I genuinely love this program and the faculty. I think the classes are fun and this program provides everything I was looking for in a graduate program. I am excited to take the skills and knowledge enhanced and learned through the MAAT program into the real world when I begin a professional career Follow me on LinkedIn!

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Alexa Ralston

I’m Alexa Ralston. Although I’m originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, I have lived in Rochester for three quarters of my life. In the spring of 2020, I graduated from Nazareth College with my bachelors in business management and a minor in the entertainment and recording industry. My hobbies are reading, playing video games, piano, singing and learning languages. I discovered the program at RIT after deciding in my senior year of undergrad that I wanted to further my higher education by obtaining a masters degree. I was interested in a program that could combine the tech side of business with the more traditional aspects of the business world that I

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experienced in undergrad at Nazareth. The MAAT program ended up being the perfect fit for me! I’m currently working as a graduate assistant for Michael Peres, along with Allie Bergeman and Emilie Ravena, to create Viewfinder. Once I graduate from this program in the spring, I would like to work in the music industry until I can support myself financially in a music performance career. My favorite memories so far from my year in this program have been spending time with my fellow classmates in the Grad Lab, joking around and just having fun between classes. For my capstone project, I am creating a teaching tool for deaf and hard-of-hearing children so they can learn how to play the piano. I am looking forward to the challenge of developing the easiest way possible for deaf children to learn how to play scales and chords on the piano. It will take a lot of creativity, but after spending 12 years with my deaf step-dad, I understand how incredibly important music is to both hearing and non-hearing individuals. I can’t wait to finish the program and see where my classmates go in the future! Follow me on LinkedIn!

Emilie Ravena

My name is Emilie Ravena and I’m from Schenectady, New York. In the spring of 2020, I graduated from RIT with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in New Media Design. I had learned about the MAAT program through my roommate at the time, Erin Claybaugh, who graduated in the spring of 2020. She would tell me about her classes and they seemed to mesh well with my undergraduate education. I decided to apply after I did more research and realized this program would allow me to combine my previous education with a more technical, communicative and business-centric approach to media. I am currently working as a freelance designer as well as a graduate assistant

for Michael Peres, where I helped to create this magazine alongside Allie Bergeman and Alexa Ralston. Once I graduate, I would like to specialize in User Interface and User Experience Design for a company. I can also see myself continuing with freelance work as well. Although free time is rare, I like to spend it playing the ukulele, drawing and painting, and embroidering clothing. One memory from this program I’ll never forget was when I was working on an assignment for our Media Foundations class with Giancarlo and Allie. We were tasked with photographing a subject outdoors while using direct light, but unfortunately for us, it was rainy the entire week before the assignment was due! We ended up using my car headlights as the direct source, and since the lights were so low to the ground, Allie and I had to sit on the wet ground to get the correct angles. My capstone project this year is to research how Zoom can make their software more accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Through the use of surveys within the deaf community and research of prior online accessibility functionality, I’m hoping to find a better solution than what Zoom currently offers. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the MAAT program so far. It’s hard work, but I can already see how I can apply everything I’m learning to real-world scenarios. I can tell it’s setting us all up for great opportunities, and I can’t wait to see where everyone goes after we graduate!

Follow me on LinkedIn!

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School of Photographic Arts and Sciences Facilities

by Alexa Ralston

As a student in this program, you will be using a wide variety of RIT facilities to complete a myriad of projects. Different courses will require the use of different facilities. In this short article, I will discuss the facilities you should be aware of so that you can have a successful year!

In the spring semester in the Cross-Media Workflow course, you will work in the facilities of the Department of Graphic Media Science and Technology in the College of Engineering and Technology.

You will be using three main output areas. The Process Lab, where all digital output is sent, the Impact Lab, where you

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will be able to use a screen press and flexography press to complete one of your semester projects, and the Discover Lab, where the digital printer and computer stations are. This room will be necessary for projects that concern digital printing rather than screen printing.

Now, let’s explore what facilities you will be using for the fall semester in the Media Foundations and Digital Content Management classes. It all starts with the Photo Cage, where you can borrow a wide variety of cameras for any project’s needs. On the 3rd floor of the Gannett Building, home to all things Media Arts and Technology, you will find a Cage filled with camera bodies from Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Sony and more. You can pick from a range of lenses, tripods, sound recording equipment, laptops, color management tools and external flashes. You can borrow anything and everything necessary to successfully complete your projects!

The 4th floor of the Gannett Hall is where the magic happens. This is where all the lighting equipment is found. There are many different portable lighting kits such as the Profoto B1, Profoto B2 and the Broncolor Siros Portable Kit. All of these lighting kits can be modified for use in the Gannett studios. The modifiers range from hard boxes to soft boxes, strip banks to umbrellas, and so much more. When you’re all set on equipment, you can use the 4th floor to check out a studio and get to work!

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Let’s move on to the Gannett studios themselves! The RIT Photo facilities have all that you need to get the exact look that you want for your photographs.

There are over 25 Profoto or Broncolor studios that are open for rent. The studios are equipped with either Profoto or Broncolor strobes, depending on the room you select.

Both are offered with black or white walls, based on your needs. All of these studios have hot lights, a mono pod, seamless stands, a ladder, a table, and apple boxes.

There is also a North Light Studio. This is a special studio that has a wall entirely made of windows in order to allow natural light into the room. It is equipped with Broncolor strobes, all-white walls, and is much larger than the standard studios.

The Imaging Systems Lab (ISL) is a printing studio where students can turn in their files to be printed at cost. The studio has different types of printers, such as a digital continuous printer and ink jet printers. This room is capable of large format printing and can be used for film development.

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There are 20 dark rooms in the school.

Students of the MAAT program will have access to the dark rooms on the 3rd floor of Gannett. In order to use these rooms, you will need to complete a training course or take a film photography class. This is due to the fact that you will be using chemicals for film development, and will be expected to know what you are doing before start working.

There is a special high end computer lab called Electronic Still Photography (ESP).

This is a computer lab for students who wish to use flatbed and Imacon scanners for their projects. This facility also has ink jet printers and light booths. The computers in this lab are all equipped with the full Adobe Suite and the printer and scanner software needed to create a successful project. This is a 24-hour facility that students may use at any time.

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