Design lab seeking new members

Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts
Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts

The Center For Emerging Media Arts is seeking an interdisciplinary cohort of undergraduate researchers, designers, coders, thinkers, innovators and creative makers. Join this unique opportunity to be a founding member of this new lab.

The Story, Worlds + Speculative Design Lab is seeking 3+ undergraduates for the 2020-2021 academic year, summer and beyond. The ideal candidates will have a strong interest in interdisciplinary research and projects that will take place in-between the arts, sciences, emerging technology, architecture, design, engineering, computer science, and environmental studies. *No prior experience with art-making required.

This lab will imagine and builds future worlds that we can experience in the present moment and be an incubator for creativity and innovation research. We will use interdisciplinary strategies that explore how storytelling, fiction, play, futuring, worldbuilding, and social re-imagining can shape reality. We already have several exciting projects in the pipeline and looking for people who want to join the team!

Future project examples:

Build a new app for telling Stories
Work with rural communities and technology companies to create new solutions to create and shape the future
Explore automation and mobility in the rural-urban divide globally
Design products and wearables-fashion+ tech with biofeedback (ie diabetes wearable)
Design interactive games (analog and digital)
Make films
Create a think tank/ design-hack-a-thon with local community partner to reimagine Lincoln/Nebraska
Work in between nature-ecosystems and technology (food, water, energy) and consider intersection of data infrastructure and the environment
Design immersive and experiential experiences (ie w/ with Lincoln Calling-Innovation and Music festival)
Design simulation experiences with mixed reality + AR/VR)
Qualifications of successful member of our lab:

A great communicator, can say Yes...And! to idea brainstorming, self-guided yet a team player
Interested in navigating in between asking questions, solving problems and creating fun entertaining experiences
Interested in humor and play as a powerful device
Interested in systems thinking and the function of fiction.
Because this is a call for an interdisciplinary cohort the skills and platforms may vary with each applicant and are flexible (this is not an exhaustive list) but may look something like:

Computer Science: developer with experience using various programming languages that may include: JavaScript (D3.js library, jQuery framework, Basic PHP python, Unity, processing, machine learning, AI and app mock-up/development
EMA, Art, Design, Theater: storytelling, performance, prop fabrication, costume/wearable design, sculpture, web and graphic design, Adobe Creative Suite + film editing, graphic and visual effects, game design or animation, projection mapping
Architecture: materials, construction, interior/immersive design, biophilia, place/context, creating models
Business: Innovation + Entrepreneurship + Creativity and establishing community partnerships Sciences + Environmental Studies: ecosystems, Biology, Chemistry, Medicine/Health (w/ interest in Speculative), Data + GIS
Engineering: designing and building solutions across electrical, mechanical, structural or computational systems
Sociology et al: systems thinking and more
3 SESSIONS AVAILABLE:

1) May begin immediately for an hourly wage (please specify if you are a Work-Study student)

2) Summer 2020 from May-August (20 hrs/wk)

3) August 2020 - April 2021 for Academic Year 2020-2021 (10 hrs/wk)

Compensation: May begin immediately for an hourly wage, UCARE funding begins June 1. Payment through UCARE funding

Hours per week: flexible, according to your schedule

To be considered for an interview, send an email summarizing your interest, experience, and skills/proficiencies with a brief resume/CV to Ash Eliza Smith at ash.e.s@unl.edu. Applications will be accepted until the position(s) are filled.

More info here.