Our Purpose
This year’s David Letterman Learning Experience (DLLE) project explored the artistic process of glassblowing, celebrating the10th anniversary of the Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass, showcased student art, and promoted a documentary developed in collaboration with Ball State's most famous alum, David Letterman.
Our Project
Project Overview
In 2015, David Letterman shared about 1,000 pieces of memorabilia from his life and career with Ball State.
The David Letterman Learning Experience (DLLE) was developed as an ongoing immersive learning project that leverages
the rich storytelling potential of the Letterman Collection. The DLLE is an interdisciplinary, project-based learning opportunity that
places students at the center of the intersections between storytelling, technology, and art. The experience seeks to inspire
the Ball State community to think creatively, take chances, laugh in the face of failure, and smile in the light of success.
Each year, a team of students develops interactive, immersive experiences from the stories found in the Letterman Collection.
During the 2021-2022 school year, the DLLE team included graduate students from EMDD, as well as undergraduate
students from the Department of Media and the School of Art. Undergraduate students had a unique opportunity to work closely
with David Letterman to produce a documentary focused on the creation of glass art. The documentary narrates the history
of the Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass, the rich history of glass in Muncie, and David Letterman’s passion for glass art.
Additionally, EMDD grad students developed a transmedia storytelling campaign to support the release of the documentary and pique the interest of the Ball State community. The transmedia campaign includes a website, an interactive virtual reality tour
of the Glick Center, a social media campaign, a behind-the-scenes documentary, and an art scavenger hunt.
Purpose
This year’s DLLE project was the brainchild of David Letterman. After learning about how glass art is made, Dave contacted the University with an idea to explore the history of glassmaking in Muncie, with special focus on the work students and faculty do in the Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass Art. The documentary is equal parts science and art, with a dash of Dave’s quirky humor. The transmedia campaign was designed as a promotional tool for the documentary, an extension of the story of glassmaking, and an outlet for showcasing the work done by the more than 100 students who have participated in the DLLE since 2018.
Summary
Transmedia storytelling is the expansion of a story across multiple mediums to promote audience interaction. Various media forms work together to illustrate a detailed storyworld where the audience can explore from different entry points. This semester, students developed a transmedia campaign to support the documentary’s release, share untold stories, and boost engagement with our audience. The campaign consists of a documentary, a virtual reality tour, an art scavenger hunt, a social media campaign, and a website.
PROJECT
Virtual Reality Tour
The Virtual Tour showcases some of the amazing work students do at the Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass by transporting users to the Center and immersing them in the art of glassblowing. The goal is to share this experience with a larger audience by exploring the Glick Center through a guided tour. During the tour, users encounter information about glass art through multimedia interviews and embedded videos. As users virtually walk through the Glick Center, they can explore locations and artifacts along the way. Interacting with hotspots reveals videos and narrators who guide visitors through the glass art creation process. The experience teaches about glassblowing tools and processes.
Play Video
Art Scavenger Hunt
The Glick Center is full of storytelling opportunities. The Augmented Reality (AR) Scavenger Hunt amplifies those stories by transforming Ball State’s campus into a virtual art gallery, showcasing student artwork, building anticipation for the documentary, and encouraging audiences to learn about art created by BSU students.
A simple process defines the scavenger hunt. First, participants hunt for eight display cases hidden around the Ball State campus. Next, participants scan a QR code near or on the display cases. The QR codes reveal exciting stories about the artifacts or multimedia experiences related to the “Clear Reception” documentary.
Social Media Campaign
Social media is used as a storytelling platform increase viewership for the documentary and promote the rest of the transmedia campaign. Our social media campaign includes photos, videos, and interactive graphics showcasing Ball State students’ work as part of the David Letterman Learning Experience.
Follow us on three social media platforms:
Instagram: @letterman.learning
Twitter: @lettermanlearn
Facebook: The David Letterman Learning Experience
Website
The DLLE website, lettermanlearning.com publicly shares the four years worth of student work. The website will also host the documentary, Clear Reception with David Letterman, along with the other components of the transmedia campaign.
Our Team
Additional Support
Kyle Parker & Lydia Bertsch
Ball State University’s Digital Corps
Stephanie Arrington, Executive Director of Presidential Events and Operations
