BACKGROUND

Ball State University's Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts (IDIA Lab) is an integral part of the university's new Innovation Center. The IDIA Lab is an innovative research and design center that focuses on the intersection of digital technology and the arts. It serves as a hub for students, faculty, and industry professionals to collaborate and explore advanced approaches to digital experiences. The Lab was founded in 2006 as part of two $20 million gifts from Lilly Endowment, Inc. and administered through the Ball State Center for Media Design.

One of the core objectives of the IDIA Lab is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration. By bringing together experts from fields such as art, design, sciences, humanities and engineering, the lab creates a rich and diverse environment for experimentation and innovation. This collaboration often leads to the development of groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of traditional art forms.

The IDIA Lab prepares students for the digital age. With advancements in technology shaping every aspect of our lives, it is essential for students to have a deep understanding of digital media and its impact on society. The lab offers a range of courses and workshops that equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a digital world.

In addition to its educational initiatives, the IDIA Lab is actively involved in research and development. Through partnerships with industry leaders, galleries, museums and academic experts, the lab conducts cutting-edge research in areas such as virtual reality, augmented reality, interactive installations, and locative mobile experiences.

 

MISSION

  • Investigate the forefront of research and design of virtual and extended reality environments, simulations, and human computer interaction
  • Establish a strategic vision and direction for the University - while shaping new learning modes 
  • Generate, review, prototype, and disseminate knowledge pertaining to virtual environments and technologies on the regional, national and international levels
  • Through speaking, scholarly and public presentations, successful grantsmanship, and building of emergent research solutions, IDIA will contribute to the advancement of new learning solutions using virtual and hybrid world design
  • Recommend relevant technological infrastructure and technological trends in support of new models for research, design, learning, and instruction
  • Assist in advancing Ball State University’s reputation in extended reality and emergent media design development
  • Recruit national and international scholars, artists, and experts to work alongside Ball State faculty and students in this studio-based laboratory
  • Provide industry and public consultation and expertise on the innovative use of 3D virtual and hybrid learning environments

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2019 5th Arts and Science International Exhibition and Symposium (TASIES 2019) Academy of Arts and Design, Artificial Intelligence installation. National Museum of China. Beijing, China

2016 Nuit Blanche. Toronto Lights Festival. Firefly Effect. Collaborative light and sound social app.

2013 Award Finalist. Laval Virtual. Laval, France.

2012 IMAGEM-CONTATO/TACTILE-IMAGE Festival in Sao Paulo, Brasil.

2012 Installation. China National Science and Technology Museum for Biennial Art and Science Exhibition. Invitational. Beijing, China.

2012 Commission for Virtual Broad Museum of Art. Zaha Hadid, architect. East Lansing, Michigan.

2012 Indian Institute of Technology. Mumbai, India.

2011 The 24th Festival Les Instants Vidéo 2011. France, Italy, Mexico, Cuba, and India.

2010 ICMC: International Computer Music Conference. New York, NY.

2010 SIGGRAPH 2010. Art Gallery. Los Angeles, CA.

2010 Indian Institute of Technology. Mumbai, India

2009 Dutch Design Week. Philips High Tech Campus. Eindhoven, Netherlands.

2009 Boston Cyberarts Festival. Hybrid Reality Installation for Faneuil and Carillon.

2009 SEAMUS: Society of Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States. Installation.

2008 SIGGRAPH Asia 2008 New Horizons Art Conference and Exhibition. Singapore.

2008 404Festival. International Festival of Electronic Art. Trieste, IT and Basel, CH.

2007 VIDEOFORMES. 22nd International Video Art and New Media Festival.

2007 Competition Finalist for Prix de la Création Vidéo. Clermont-Ferrand, France.

2006 Galerie Paris-Sud. Video screening. Paris, France.

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS / PRESENTATIONS / ACTIVITIY

 

2023 Conference Chair: CAAV 7th Annual Conference. Campus Alliance for Advanced Visualization. Ball State University. Muncie, IN
2023 Creativity in Practice and Education Award from the National Academies of Practice

2020 Serious Gaming for Virtual Archaeoastronomy. Studies in Digital Heritage. Zotti, Frischer, Fillwalk.

2019 Keynote. CAAV. Campus Alliance for Advanced Visualization. Indiana University, IN

2019 Presentation. Cultural Heritage New Technologies. Vienna, Austria.

2018 Game Music, Sound Design and Virtual Reality Audio Conference. Los Angeles, CA.

2017- Editorial Board. Studies in Digital Heritage. IU Scholarworks Journals.

2016 Paper. University of Oulu, School of Architecture. 34th Annual eCAADe Conference. Oulu, Finland.

2016 Presentation. Boston Museum of Science. Boston,

2016 Organized Ground Penetrating Radar survey on site of Meridian Augusti, Rome Italy. Collaboration with Indiana University.