What's New?
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Click on the banner above to see Pixelh8's SUPER CHIP TUNE SAMBA BAND; a response to the MA MODULES REFLECTIVE PRACTICE and RESEARCH METHODS.
Click on the image below to see more about his upcoming exhibition CHILDHOOD REMIXED to be opened by Mike Doherty (Head of CDI and MA Course Leader) on Friday 28th May at 6.00 PM
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First Masters Degrees Awarded
CDI congratulates Roger Crook and Ruth Steward on being the first students from the CDI to graduate with the MA Design Context and Practice
THE CDI IS A UCS ARTS AND HUMANITIES INITIATIVE
CDI Vision Statement
The CDI strives to provide an environment within which innovative design problem solving may thrive, unconstrained by the strictures of commercial competitive practice. The CDI rejects anachronistic divisions which too often stifle creative practice, in favour of convergence, both within and beyond design disciplines. The CDI seeks to promote design born from 'realist' and inclusive stakeholder analysis.
The realisation of this vision will be through the recognition of the CDI as an important contributor to both the discourse surrounding, and practice within, new media communication in the context of an increasingly global environment.
CDI Mission Statement
The CDI seeks to bring together design practitioners, academic colleagues, students and business partners, in order to provide innovative solutions to communication design challenges. The CDI holds the ambition to become one of the leading regional centres for postgraduate design and associated applied research in the field of convergent media communication.
MA Student and CDI member Matthew Applegate (AKA Pixelh8) Collaborates With the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge University.
"Observations" is an audio visual study of the people, machines and practices at the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge University. Culminating in two performances on 12th &13th of March, 2010 at 7.30pm during the Cambridge Science Festival.
The piece poses the question of "What does it mean to be an Astronomer?" and how it has evolved; from observations with the unaided eye and the first telescopic studies 400 years ago, to modern telescopes and satellites collecting data across the full reach of the spectrum, and the importance of theoretical study of astronomical concepts such as cosmology.
Following on from the successful "Obsolete?" in 2009 at The National Museum of Computing, Bletchley Park, Matthew C. Aplegate aka Pixelh8 internationally renowned "chip tune" musician will be directing, composing and performing this entirely new piece.
The work is support by the researchers at The Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge and the outreach officer Dr. Carolin Crawford and was funded by the PRS for Music Foundation Live Connections award.
The PRS for Music Foundation (PRSF) is the UK's largest independent funder of new music across all genres. Widely respected as an adventurous and proactive funding body, the Foundation supports an exceptional range of new music activity – from unsigned band showcases to composer residencies, from commissions for new music to experimental live electronica. Since March 2000 PRSF has given more than £12 million to over 3,000 new music initiatives.
Working with local Government and Teachers
The CDI continues its sponsored work to further develop the interpretation of the Heritage Lottery Funded restoration of Christchurch Park. Nicholas Smith, CDI member and MA student, is working on new media content for key stage 1 and 2 learning for children visiting the information Centre at Christchurch Park. Over the coming weeks we will be meeting with Ipswich Borough Council representatives and local teachers to inform this process.
This work will form a major part in Nicholas meeting the learning outcomes for his Theory into Practice module on the MA programme Design Context and Practice.
Click on the link below to try out the Chistchurch Park Interactive Trail. This is presently in its pilot stage and will be subject to continued updating, informed by online responses from participating Key Stage 1 and 2 teachers.
A transcript of the Christchurch Park Restoration Project video is available here|
Engaging with Academic Partners
The CDI is delighted to announce its involvement with the University of Sheffield based FurtherHigher Research project. This will involve the CDI helping the project team to express and disseminate research findings from this important national research exercise. This work comes to the CDI via the CREATE Research Centre at UCS and promises to be the first of many projects which bring the diverse communication design capabilities of the CDI to the academic community.
This work in progress is being largely undertaken by Danielle Taylor, level 3 BA (Hons.) associate member of the CDI along with inputs from the academic team. The 3 dimensional diagram below interprets one of a number of data sets provided by the FurtherHigher research team.
'Democratising' Technology
MA Student Roger Crook is experimenting with innovative ways of employing low cost equipment in the creation 3D digital representation. Using readily accessible image capture hardware and software we hope to bring an increased level of 'inclusivity' to the potential users of this medium. We also explore how an enhanced sense of realism in viewing real world action, along with integrated digital effects can make a major contribution to education, training and other applications.
In particular, experiments will focus upon areas where an 'immersive' experience can aid in the engagement of participants beyond the recreational applications of 3D viewing. A key objective of the project is to bring the tangible benefits which exist in this medium to a more inclusive user audience. This work will provide outcomes which contribute to Roger's Masters modules Design Analysis and Theory into Practice
A transcript of this 3D blood cells video is available here|
CONGRATULATIONS! Major Successes in Chip Tune Sound development for CDI MA Student!
CDI member and MA student Matthew Applegate has achieved major critical acclaim over recent months for his innovative work in chip tune creation and performance. Recognition has come through:
Wednesday 17/12/08 BBC Radio Suffolk 6pm (on air for 30 minutes with Steven Foster
Wednesday 17/12/08 Midnight Maida Vale Session on Radio 1
Thursday 18/12/08 BBC Look East a piece on Matthew, his music and the session at Maida Vale
Further to this, Matthew (who performs under the name Pixelh8) lectures and runs music and computer related workshops across the United Kingdom and is a Mentor at the British Academy of New Music, London. Patron of the Access To Music Centre, Norwich.
Matthew's work provides a clear example of sound, image, and interactivity through 'convergent' digital design in action. Here is PixelH8's latest press release:
"Parallel to his involvement in music performance Pixelh8 lectures and runs music and computer related workshops across the United Kingdom and is a Mentor at the British Academy of New Music, London. Patron of the Access To Music Centre, Norwich and is currently studying for a Masters at University Campus Suffolk Centre for Design Innovation."
(Image Copyright 2008 Emma Mordue)
Matthew will be performing at the Museum of Computing Bletchley Park on Friday and Saturday 20th and 21st March as reported on the front page of New Scientist. Check it out here: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20126999.900-creating-modern-music-from-vintage-computers.html|
CDI Makes an Impact at the Engineering Showcase, Kesgrave Conference Centre
The CDI made an appearance at this Suffolk Business and Education Partnership event on March 20th. The interpretation of engineering in this context was broad, including contributions from companies associated with performance related technologies to CAD/CAM engineering. CDI thanks MA student Roger Crook and Associate BA student DanielleTaylor for working on current projects during the day. The CDI stand attracted much attention from a wide range of visitors including teachers, students and business partners. This was also an excellent opportunity for CDI to play its part in marketing Suffolk School of Arts and its range of BA courses.
CDI to make an appearance at the UCS Research Colloquium
The CDI looks forward to contributing to the Colloquium by setting up a small, live showcase of work, adjacent to the main event, which will be held in the Waterfront Building on July 1 2009. This will give colleagues and students an opportunity to talk to members of the CDI and to see, first-hand, some of the investigative work in progress. For more information on the Colloquium contact Will Thomas of Create Research Centre UCS.
4th Creative Media Showcase takes place on Thursday, October 15 2009 at The Athenaem Bury St Edmunds. CDI will be There.
This event provides students with an excellent opportunity to experience a wide range of media activities, meet professionals and explore the industry. The CDI team will be there to talk to students about its research interests and to promote the MA Design programme. This is also an excellent opportunity for CDI to network with other media oriented enterprises and colleagues from a range of educational institutions.
For Further information about the CDI
Contact Dr Mike Doherty
Direct Line 01473 296475
Preferably email m.dohertyucs.ac.uk|