Monthly Archives: March 2024

Student Journey: Edwine Pierre Louis

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Edwine Pierre Louis lives in Jacksonville, Florida, and is a graduate student in the Emerging Media Design and Development low-res program. EMDD low-res students attend a four-day workshop at the beginning of each semester and the rest of their coursework is delivered online. Edwine is an Associate, Sales Strategy and Support Analyst at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Whenever I mention that I’ve traveled from Jacksonville, FL, I’m often asked, “Why Ball State University?” My response is actually, “Why EMDD?” The EMDD program was something I didn’t even know existed. I was considering pursuing three separate graduate degrees to gain a comprehensive understanding of human-computer interaction, design thinking, transmedia narrative, and design execution. To my astonishment, EMDD encompassed all of these areas. Even as an out-of-state student, the components of this degree are set to shave years off my educational journey.

Regarding my experience with the low-res, in-person component—I have spent my entire life intentionally avoiding the snow, yet the weather ensured that I encountered plenty of it. Despite this, the atmosphere was incredibly conducive to learning. It gave me a clear expectation of what I would be studying in those two classes. Additionally, from my perspective as a distant learner, the setting helped to diminish any proximity bias.

Get to know Edwine:

What are you passionate about?

  • Learning – Science, Technology, Art
  • Understanding – Listen to understand not to respond
  • Social justice – Equitable treatment and opportunity

What is your ideal culture?

A place where everyone can belong and is celebrated, inconvenient truths, and past injustices are recognized and amended. Somewhere that failure is part of the learning journey.

Favorite Things

  • Landscape Photography
  • Podcasts
  • UX/UI Design
  • Documentaries
  • Reading
  • Remote Control Cars
  • Gardening
  • Weightlifting

Favorite Quote

“If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive.” ― Audre Lorde

Fun Facts

I am a published photographer for minor league baseball from two years interning with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. I am also a skilled jib camera operator, a field that unfortunately has very few women.

Want to know more about Edwine’s journey and our other EMDD projects? Follow EMDD on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Visit our Ball State University webpage for more information on how to join the EMDD program.

Growing by Design: EMDD visits the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse

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Dr. Tong Li’s EMDD 650 course, Interactive Media Design and Development, has spent the beginning of this semester working with Erica Oliver at Ball State’s Rinard Orchid Greenhouse to create new ways that patrons might engage with this space.

EMDD students examined the greenhouse and worked to brainstorm, research, prototype, and present their ideas for ways that the greenhouse may find opportunities to better engage with their visitors, Ball State students, and the Muncie Community.

“As a professor, I appreciate this collaboration opportunity with Greenhouse and the support from Greenhouse coordinator Erica Oliver for EMDD students. I am also impressed by the innovative ideas generated by our students. They are great!“

Dr. Tong Li

Students use design thinking methods to develop new ideas for their prototypes. They then presented their ideas to Erica Oliver to test their prototypes and get feedback for the next iterations of their designs. Apps, websites, interactive spaces, and practical innovations were all part of the prototypes on display. By presenting to and engaging with their client, students learned the possibilities of their prototypes becoming a reality.

“The students asked great questions during our tour about the plants and animals here at our facility, and how we communicate information to our visitors through signage, social media, and in-person engagement. Following the tour, the students presented their prototype ideas with me. The students were very animated and excited about their prototypes, with a clear interest in creating a project with a purpose. I was very impressed by their attention to detail in the cardboard models of apps and websites they created, that gave it a very real feel. Their ideas are creative, engaging, and I think will really benefit the community members who get to use the final products. I look forward to seeing the next stage of their project when they return to the Greenhouse ready for the trial stage with the community.“

Erica Oliver, Environmental Educational Program Coordinator, Rinard Orchid Greenhouse

Want to know more about this and other EMDD projects? Follow EMDD on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Visit our Ball State University webpage for more information on how to join the EMDD program.