Eliseo Ortiz Guest Lectures for the Hostile Terrain 94 Workshop

By: Jessica Fernandez

Scholar and activist Eliseo Ortiz recently participated as a guest lecturer in Hostile Terrain 94, a participatory art project and exhibition aimed at raising awareness about the human cost of policies that restrict immigration and movement across borders. Initiated by the Undocumented Migration Project and organized by over 150 collaborators worldwide, the exhibition features a wall map of North America marked with over 3,000 handwritten tags representing migrants who have died while crossing the US-Mexico border in the last two decades. This interactive memorial encourages visitors to engage with the data and stories behind each tag.

During his guest lecture, Ortiz provided a unique perspective on the challenges and complexities surrounding migration policies he emphasizes “The work is intended to bring awareness about the state of dehumanizing people.” In addition to this, he highlighted the importance of creating a dialogue and inspiring change in policies that directly affect the lives and safety of migrants. Ortiz’s lecture added a valuable dimension to the discussion, emphasizing the human impact of policies that restrict immigration and movement across borders.

It is important to note that Hostile Terrain 94 is not just an art project, but a call to action. The project seeks to raise awareness, foster critical thinking, and encourage us to rethink our values and priorities as a society. It urges us to work towards a more just and humane world where the safety and well-being of migrants are protected.

Overall, the Hostile Terrain 94 project serves as an important reminder of the ongoing struggles and tragedies faced by migrants. It is an urgent call to action to create a more compassionate and just society that values the lives and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their place of birth or immigration status.

For more information visit: https://provost.wsu.edu/hostile-terrain-94/  

Eman Ahmed is the 2022 Outstanding Senior

By: Jessica Fernandez

Annually, the Department of Digital Technology and Culture presents an award to an exceptional graduating senior who embodies the values and ideals of the DTC department. The 2022 outstanding senior of this prestigious award is Eman Ahmed.

Eman graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Technology & Culture, along with a second major in Humanities with concentrations in Women, Gender, and Sexual Studies; Comparative Ethnic Studies; and Sociology. Initially, Eman had aspirations to become a lawyer and attend law school. However, as time went by, she came to understand that this path could limit her creativity. During her junior year, she realized that digital multimedia production offered a way for her to accomplish her goals toward social justice and make an impact, using her creative skills and that’s when she made the switch to pursue a degree in DTC. 

Throughout Eman’s time at Washington State University, she was actively engaged in a variety of clubs and activities on campus. Eman was an Undergraduate Learning Assistant for DTC 101, Video Director for WSU Luxe Fashion Magazine, Digital Archivist for WSU Libraries Kimble Digitization Center, and the Lead Social Justice Peer Educator for the WSU Office of Outreach and Education. Eman also expressed that one of the most memorable courses that encouraged her to tap into her creative side was DTC 491: Advanced Digital Cinema. To this day, she fondly recalls creating a short performative documentary for their class final and cherishes the experiences and connections she made through collaboration with others.

Currently, Eman is working at WSU Global Campus working as a Program Coordinator for Global Connections, where she brings together students from the Global Campus through live-streaming in-person events to make them accessible to online students and facilitating virtual extracurricular events. Recently, she initiated a student recognition series called “Student Spotlight” which features a Global Campus student’s accomplishment each week. Additionally, Eman also makes time for her creative pursuits, such as filmmaking. At the moment, she is lending her videography skills to a friend’s musical production. She has maintained close relationships with peers from the DTC department and is collaborating with them on this project. Eman cherishes her time at WSU and holds the memories she created with her colleagues in the DTC department close to her heart.

Galina Wynkoop Collaborated on a Children’s Book

By: Jessica Fernandez

Galina Wynkoop collaborated with her friend, Anna Gerald, to write a children’s book called, Maggie Grace Learns About Magnesium. This book was independently published on October 6, 2019, and is now available for order on Amazon Prime. Wynkoop is a student at Washington State University majoring in Digital Technology and Culture, and her goal in writing is to educate children on the basics of the chemistry world.

With Wynkoop’s vivid illustration skills and Gerald’s love for writing, they came together as a dynamic duo to bring Maggie Grace to life. The idea stemmed from Gerald’s chemistry class, specifically a project she did on Magnesium, and Wynkoop brought light to this story through her brilliant drawings.

In this children’s book, a 7-year-old named Maggie Grace is introduced and discovers magnesium through a leg cramp she experiences. Wynkoop visually illustrates this story as Maggie gains an understanding of the scientific principles of magnesium. This children’s book represents a heartwarming relationship between a mother and her daughter. It is an entertaining and educational book that helps kids better understand the periodic table along with real-world uses for elements. All profits from Maggie Grace Learns About Magnesium will go towards helping both Wynkoop and Gerald continue their educational paths.

DTC Students Go To Portland

By: Jessica Fernandez

A select group of senior and junior-level DTC majors were invited to take up a new professional development opportunity visiting design firms in Portland, Oregon. Aida Must, Eman Ahmed, Austin Wetzel, Lain Bundalian, and Mariah Johnson took a trip from November 2nd – November 4th to learn more about these creative professional firms.

Professors June Sanders & Jacob Riddle accompanied these students and provided tours with multiple design, game, and animation firms. Some of the firms visited were Fisk Projects, Dotdotdash, and Outlet PDX.  This was a wonderful opportunity to grow with peers personally and professionally. The trip began with a visit to the Vancouver campus where the DTC students were able to witness the DTC program in effect as students worked together on an archival project for their senior seminar.

Austin, a student who went on this trip provided additional details on his experience at each location they visited as a group. He says that Fisk was the one that he was not only most excited about but impressed by as well. Austin mentions the design studio and how he took note of the compassionate teamwork to create marketing, he found it to be truly inspiring and innovative. The founder and CEO of Fisk, Bijan Berahimi took the time to speak with the students and shared how he started his practice of content creation using his undergrad. Berahimi continued to maintain relationships with his contemporaries that went on to become team members in the business now.

The second location that was visited was Outlet PDX, this was a more intimate experience where students got the opportunity to meet with the sole paid employee at the studio. At Outlet PDX there was a massive range of voices, inspiration, and work as working artists and members of the community collaborated in the riso print-making studio.

Lastly, this group of DTC students visited Dotdotdash. This firm creates digital and physical interactive installments for many famous and financially successful companies.

Their work as designers was leveraged alongside physical and digital creation specialists to obtain final products that are featured in expos and conferences. The fluctuation of project type and scale was astounding for everyone to see.

As the days winded down, they would spend their evenings as a group consuming all the great meals provided, and taking multiple trips to get boba tea. Through this professional opportunity to go to Portland, Oregon for the weekend, students were able to connect with their peers, grow professionally, and get to know what each creative professional firm was all about.