Ever since I stepped foot on the University of Wisconsin campus, I've been struck by the mission of The Wisconsin Idea. The concept is to utilize the University for the betterment of business and research in the State of Wisconsin. As the University moves into the digital age, the concept of storytelling has moved to the forefront, digital storytelling. This is where I think the Adobe Creative Cloud can really move the needle for the university system. I went up to Madison to take some photos for an upcoming presentation, and here is my story and my iteration of The Wisconsin Idea.
While wondering around campus, I found this stone that explains The Wisconsin Idea.
The campus sits in a region of Wisconsin on top of effigy burial mounds. Bascom Hill is a large quadrangle that leads up to Bascom Hall at the top. (Trust me, you get a calf workout) In front of Bascom Hall, looking down the hill at every student who makes the trek up, is a statue of Abraham Lincoln. This was really intriguing to me because of the symmetry between his legacy and the quote above from Robert Gard - "If you try, you can indeed alter the face and heart of America."
Students at Wisconsin are doing this today, but in ways they had never imagined, and they are getting their names out there in a variety of ways, including showcasing their research in new, digital mediums.
The Design Lab is a center for students to not only learn digital literacy skills in applications like Adobe Photoshop CC and Adobe Premiere Pro CC, but also a place to bring their ideas to life. Consultants help these students take an idea to a digital reality. For instance, a student may come in and say he has to build a visualization of some data that he discovered through a psychology case study. The Design Lab would help him make that an interactive infographic in Adobe Illustrator. I think the Design Lab should be a statewide initiative, helping students, faculty, and the community reach its digital potential.
The Wisconsin shield engraved in stone.
I just thought this was a nice shot looking down a pier to Lake Mendota.
