It has been an eventful year filled with impressive showcases and inspiring research. From drone shows to industry partnerships, work produced in our classrooms has truly changed the world around us. We are excited to share SDCT’s Top 10 for this past academic year!
Inside Out
AET took to the skies this year! Their 2024 showcase featured an impressive student-produced drone show along with projection mapping that took over the facade of the Doty Fine Arts Building. This exciting display rounded out an evening filled with examples of work from our talented students. From interactive demos in the Lab for Immersive Media to creative twists on video game experiences, we are proud of our students and their accomplishments this year.
Then&Now&Tomorrow
Exploring graphic, industrial, and interactive design through physical, digital, and experimental formats, the senior Design BFA students were able to come together to host their final exhibition. Then&Now&Tomorrow examined the concept of the students’ time here, looking at what happened then, where they are now, and the possibilities for tomorrow.
Against the Current
The Visual Arts Center hosted the thesis work of four graduating MFA candidates in a forward-thinking exhibition titled “Against the Current.” Integral to the work is a spirit of rebellion and resilience—a rejection of structural, cultural, and traditional constraints. This exhibition explored analog antidotes, challenged restrictive historical cycles, offered tools for BIPOC design students, and unpacked emerging autonomy.
LIM Launch
In December, we celebrated the launch of the next chapter of AET with the opening of the Lab for Immersive Media (LIM). This space features motion capture, spatial audio, and video projection technologies. The cutting-edge technology and systems in the LIM allow for innovation within our curriculum as well as research opportunities for students, faculty, and industry partners.
A Spotlight on the RRK
This academic year shone a light on the Rob Roy Kelly American Wood Type Collection (RRK). As part of our “Creatives on Campus” speaker series, we welcomed back former faculty and steward of the collection David Shields. He presented a lecture highlighting his book of research on the RRK, published by UT Press in 2022. In addition to this lecture, the RRK was featured in a special exhibition at the Visual Arts Center. The collection showcased the personal projects of students who participated in the RRK residency over the summer.
Letter Quest
From the mind of Kelcey Gray, Letter Quest took SDCT on an alphabetic fantasy adventure. This full-day workshop was open to faculty, staff, and students from both departments and invited them to explore letter-making while embracing a medieval theme. Participants, many of whom donned costumes for the occasion, were guided through the entire alphabet with side quests along the way. Thank you to Kelcey for bringing some extra whimsy to Anna Hiss Gym!
Merge Conflict Studio
Our students continue to inspire us. Emerging from their AET Senior Design Project course, six students developed their solar punk game, RE:Fresh, and the rest is history. Since the game’s development, this group of students established themselves officially as Merge Conflict Studio. This year they have gone on to participate in GDC, SXSW, and Planet Texas 2050, and took 3rd place in the Freed Family Pitch Competition. We are so proud of their accomplishments and can’t wait to see what the future holds!
wkrm
Wkrm is a student-run, faculty-led design studio that offers real-world design experiences in collaboration with professional clients from around Austin. This year, under the direction of Jon Freach, students had the exciting opportunity to work alongside Austin Transit Partnership (ATP). ATP felt that working with a student team could help provide answers about how the UT community gets around campus, what frictions they face, and how they work around them. The fall cohort conducted in-depth observational research, studied the current state of student transit and mobility “literacy,” and generated ideas that responded to their insights. The spring cohort used this research to conceive a more practical pedestrian wayfinding system including improved mapping systems, signage, and street markers. Great work team!
Staff Awards
We are honored to have some exceptional staff in SDCT. This year two of our own received a President’s Outstanding Staff Award. This award honors and recognizes the invaluable contributions of outstanding staff members who have significantly impacted the University. A huge congratulations to David Rezaei and Henry Smith! David’s tireless work as SDCT’s admissions coordinator has led to an influx of talented students within our programs. As our Assistant Fabrication Manager, Henry has transformed the Design Lab into a vital space for students and faculty. We are so thankful to them both, as well as the entire staff who continue to put their efforts into helping SDCT flourish.
Research Grants
Research is key this year! Many of our faculty have been honored with research grants and we look forward to seeing the work they can accomplish because of these. A whopping 13 of our Design faculty and 5 AET faculty have been honored with a wide variety of grants to further their endeavors both on campus and off. We are thrilled to support the research they are doing and can’t wait to see what they are able to accomplish in the coming years.