BOUNDLESS DESIGN: CUTTING-EDGE CAREERS START WITH DIMA

BOUNDLESS DESIGN: CUTTING-EDGE CAREERS START WITH DIMA

DIMA programs blend technical skill with artistic vision for robust, cutting-edge career opportunities

The “struggling artist” label is far less applicable to creatives who are displaying their work in digital formats. From the architects of the Metaverse to designers growing the most widely recognizable consumer brands, the digital arts now claim a greater role in the creative experience.

From using augmented reality to visualize your living room with the couch you are considering purchasing to using your cellphone to experience three-dimensional art in a virtual gallery, layers of technical processes make those animations execute correctly in their digital environment. Artistry is also at work to bring those experiences to life with attention to style. The Metropolitan Community College Digital Interactivity and Media Arts (DIMA) program not only teaches students how to build these skills, but also to develop strong project portfolios that are key to landing jobs after graduating.

Design is the College’s largest DIMA concentration, while 3D Animation and Games is rapidly increasing its enrollment. The strength of the job market for both concentrations is driven by global consumers’ expectations to interact with products and services in a range of digital formats, said Ian Snyder, an MCC DIMA instructor and experienced game developer.

“Even before the pandemic, but especially since, the game industry has been booming. More companies are seeing that there’s a lot of benefit to having a strong digital presence,”

said Snyder, a co-founder of two indie game studios. “Even with a relatively simple app, you’re going to reach a lot more people having one, and augmented reality is going to continue to keep growing.”

Snyder said a major benefit of the DIMA program is that once students develop the foundational skills, there are a vast variety of ways to apply these skills. For example, Snyder teaches a course on the Unity ® game engine, a platform used to develop 2D and 3D computer games and simulations. It could be used to build a video game for children or to create architectural modeling objects.

“We help our students figure out what they want to focus their creativity on, and as soon as possible, we work on helping students build their portfolios,” Snyder said. “As instructors, we provide direct mentorship because of how quickly things change in the industry, and I think that’s what is appealing about these careers—they are on the cutting edge.”

Four DIMA alums and current students shared their perspective on career opportunities in the digital arts and how they are thriving in their own right:

ANNA JOHNSTON Unity ® Certified Associate: Game Developer; pursuing an AAS in 3D Animation and Games

Anna Johnston earned a bachelor’s degree in the history of art and architecture, but found more stable work in the restaurant and bar industry. When restaurants reopened for indoor dining last year in Omaha, she didn’t feel ready to step back into an at-risk job.

An MCC Workforce Innovation Division scholarship provided an alternative.

“When COVID-19 hit, I was ready for a change but didn’t really know where to start,” the 33-year-old Johnston said. “It became obvious that I needed to find a better way of living, a new career, and here was this wonderful opportunity from this wonderful community college.”

She secured the scholarship, and after meeting with an advisor, decided an accelerated course for the Unity ® game platform seemed like a good way to transition from the traditional to the digital arts. After completing her initial Unity ® certification, she wanted to further develop skills in 3D design and began pursuing her associate degree, with a 3D Animation and Games concentration.

“I had excellent help from the game development and design instructors, Ian Snyder and Ken Keys. These two have been incredibly encouraging along the way,” Johnston said. “What I love about MCC is how incredibly talented my instructors are, having worked in their respective fields for years.”

Johnston is gaining experience before graduating. She recently started a research fellowship internship with University of Nebraska Medical Center. The project explores the potential of virtual reality space for use in medical training simulations.

“This project is so exciting to me personally because of its potential for education, and it is great to be involved with it so soon after my certification,” Johnston said.

Johnston is focused on finishing her associate degree, and once complete, she is open to wherever it takes her.

“I would love to be able to travel again. There are so many great cities around the world with work opportunities for VR and game development,” she said.

ARLIND EMERLLAHU 3D technical artist, Paradigm MCC graduate, AAS in 3D Animation and Games

Arlind Emerllahu was drawn to 3D animation because he liked the idea of blending computer technology with art. Around the time of his graduation last spring, Snyder came across a remote internship opportunity with a Wisconsinbased company called Paradigm, which provides software solutions for the building industry.

Snyder said he thought Emerllahu had strong skills for the role, and they concentrated on building up his portfolio. As a result, Emerllahu landed a three-month internship. Six weeks later, he was hired for a full-time position.

Initially, Emerllahu set up lighting, staging and solved technical issues related to the company’s 3D architectural renderings, but his role has expanded to include development for process, as well as researching and creating new procedures and tools. He’ll soon venture into virtual reality for the company’s mobile app.

“I appreciate the variety in challenges. Typically, the same issues don’t pop up consistently, and it’s incredibly fun to develop new processes and upgrade the visuals in our pipeline,” Emerllahu said.

Paradigm appreciates his efforts. In less than a year with the company, the 23-year-old has received three pay raises. He likes the ability to work remotely and said he “honestly can’t imagine doing it a different way now.”

“I’m hoping to get into directing and leading. If I can become a technical art lead or creative director, I will be really pleased,” Emerllahu said.

MARY ALLEN Senior digital designer, Scooter’s Coffee MCC Design Instructor MCC Graduate, AA in Graphic Design

Mary Allen’s journey to her career as senior digital designer for one of Nebraska’s most recognizable brands, Scooter’s Coffee, began in an attempt to solve a problem. While volunteering as president of the parent-teacher organization at her children’s school, she needed to find a workaround for a “crappy” online design program she was using.

“I thought, ‘Maybe I should take one class and learn how to make better graphics,’” Allen said.

Allen, 39, signed up for the DIMA Vector course to learn the visual and technical processes of the digital design software application while applying graphic design theory and principles.

“My mentor, Luann Matthies, taught my first typography class, and that’s where I fell in love with graphic design,” said Allen, who now teaches two Typography I classes for MCC in her first quarter as an instructor with the College.

Allen said along the way to completing her associate in Graphic Design in 2017, she also appreciated that the class sizes at MCC were smaller than anywhere else she had experienced, and she developed an understanding of what professionals would expect from her work during critique sessions in class.

“Beyond laying the groundwork to make me a designer worthy of employment, MCC instructors cared about me as a human and helped me to build my confidence as a designer,” Allen said.

Allen began working at Scooter’s Coffee as a designer at the start of the pandemic, and at the end of last year was promoted to her current role. She said she loves working for a company that is experiencing rapid growth and has such a commanding digital presence.

She encourages others to pursue the DIMA program because of how design skills complement many careers.

“Your unique experience and thoughts are the most valuable thing you possess as a designer,” Allen said. “As an entrepreneur, developer, environmentalist, professional designer, etc., a strong grasp of the elements of design and the capability to build a brand will help you to better communicate your ideas and be compelling.”

CADEN NEBEL Web Technology Specialist Educational Service Unit 3 MCC graduate, AA Media Generalist

Caden Nebel, 21, knew he wanted to study design after graduating from Platteview High School, and he began visiting colleges.

“After touring multiple campuses, I determined that the design program and facilities at MCC rivaled many four-year institutions for a fraction of the cost,” Nebel said.

Studying general graphic design, he learned how to use traditional graphic design programs like Adobe Illustrator®, InDesign® and Photoshop® to learn how to make graphics for use in company logos, brochures, package designs, social media, websites and other digital formats. At the time of his graduation, an opening for a web technology specialist with Educational Service Unit 3, which serves 18 school districts in a four-county region, including Springfield Platteview Community Schools, the district Nebel grew up in. The position had been sitting open for around six months, Snyder said.

“Ian Snyder heard about the position, and I was in several of his classes. He encouraged me to apply for it,” Nebel said. “Had it not been for him, it could have taken me months to find a job.”

Two days after the introduction was made, Nebel accepted a job offer. Now he produces graphic and web design work for all 18 of the school district websites, as well as design projects that could range from creating a new logo or brand identity for schools to designing flyers and small, digital icons.

Nebel said he found student/instructor collaboration, classroom discussions and brainstorming sessions impactful on his approach to design during his time at MCC. He expects the opportunities he has been able to capitalize on in his own career to continue to grow for other DIMA students because of the universal need for these skills across virtually all industries, as well as growing remote work opportunities.

“What I like most about my current job as a design-oriented person is the amount of creative liberty I am afforded. Each project comes with different sets of criteria and limitations, but I am trusted to create a befitting solution,” Nebel said.

Visit mccneb.edu/dima for more information on DIMA degree and certificate programs offered at MCC.