NYC Media Lab | 17
I attended the NYC Media Lab '17 which was exclaimed to be a snapshot of the best thinking, projects and talent in digital media from universities in NYC and beyond. The conference provided thought-provoking discussions, faculty and community led workshops, and 100 innovative demos, that attendees considered pressing issues related to digital media innovation. There were many aspect of the event that were quite enjoyable. I found the speakers that discussed the advancement of technology in their sphere, the most interesting. Christian G, from Verizon was one speaker that I particularly enjoyed. He discussed new ecosystems to dive into opening up the mindset about what you can do with data. He discussed ways to build new experiences for consumers to relate to data.
Essentially, the Demo expo NYC Media Lab's signature "science fair" style Demo Expo of 100+ emerging media and technology projects, including a VR/AR pavilion.The Demo Expo at NYC Media Lab's annual summit is quoted as the largest pan-university showcase of emerging media and technology in New York City. Designers get the opportunity to discuss prototypes and startups were on display. What was also interesting was that participating designers demos were selected from NYC Media Lab's consortium of universities and were issued $25,000 in awards to the most innovative demos.
During the discussion of VR/AR + DATA PROTOTYPES the topic of humanizing accessibility was brought into the conversation. Product evaluation, user tested prototypes and other improvements that would enhance the experience for those with disabilities was interesting. This group of designers created the charter accessibility project in an attempt to address this issue.
Pitches from new startups and established companies, each explored applications for emerging media and technology within the new frontier of the digital space. For example there was a startup competitor, Geopipe, whom builds virtual models for the real world and instead of weeks him and his team can do the models in 30 seconds, which is a revolutionary speed of production for this type of project. Clients can download and upload the models into their company software for production.
NYC Media Lab is a proven thought leader in two emerging media and technology areas: VR/AR and data science. In the past year, they have completed dozens of prototyping projects with member companies to explore new potentials. Faculty and student representatives from NYU, Columbia University, Pratt Institute, The New School, The School of Visual Arts, CUNY and Cornell Tech each present and demo their cutting-edge projects, prototypes and startups they've developed with NYC Media Lab for a chance to not only win funds of their start-up but also to introduce different levels of innovation to the tech community.
Throughout the conference other designers presented their innovative work. Another keynote speaker Chris Mitch exclaimed
" 3D modeling and mapping allows us to explore the world in a virtual space to solve interesting problems"
Additionally, their were noteworthy Keynotes and discussions exploring the intersection of technology and civic engagement—including key trends that will drive how media is produced, consumed, distributed and monetized.
On stage NYCML hosted two special conversations, the first, took a look at the key trends that will shape the next decade of media; and another, on how two disruptive technologies—augmented reality and artificial intelligence—will transform the way we live, work, and play in cities. While listening to these speakers I felt a sense of apprehension about technology playing such an integral part in the lives of those that create it. Questions of trust and privacy were heavy on the minds of the other participants as we all sat there and listened to all the ways that we are slowly losing control of our privacy in exchange for an easier means to an end. To loosen the fear the presenter then release us to experience some of these state of the art tech devices, to feel and play with them, and to understand that we would remain in control of many of these devices.
Over a dozen faculty and community-led workshop took over the campuses, accelerators, and offices to bring guest hands-on learning experiences of the latest trends in digital innovation.
Throughout the demo, I got to experience hands on application for solving different life problems. Many of the inventors were excited to display their work as well as their perspective on how their use of technology will help to enhance society as a whole. This particular display was used for engaging attendees at events. It was a fun tool that event hostess would find incredibly helpful while managing events. The machine prints out questions to the attendee like a line ticket processor. Every attendee can receive and share ice breaker questions to make cocktail and networking events more fun and engaging. This machine is automated and creates questions based on the host's needs per event. The equipment is fairly simple to use and the designer even said
" I am so excited to speak with companies interested in purchasing my product for their fundraising events, or even to buy the technology to enhance it"
Essentially, the Demo expo NYC Media Lab's signature "science fair" style Demo Expo of 100+ emerging media and technology projects, including a VR/AR pavilion.The Demo Expo at NYC Media Lab's annual summit is quoted as the largest pan-university showcase of emerging media and technology in New York City. Designers get the opportunity to discuss prototypes and startups were on display. What was also interesting was that participating designers demos were selected from NYC Media Lab's consortium of universities and were issued $25,000 in awards to the most innovative demos.
During the discussion of VR/AR + DATA PROTOTYPES the topic of humanizing accessibility was brought into the conversation. Product evaluation, user tested prototypes and other improvements that would enhance the experience for those with disabilities was interesting. This group of designers created the charter accessibility project in an attempt to address this issue.
Pitches from new startups and established companies, each explored applications for emerging media and technology within the new frontier of the digital space. For example there was a startup competitor, Geopipe, whom builds virtual models for the real world and instead of weeks him and his team can do the models in 30 seconds, which is a revolutionary speed of production for this type of project. Clients can download and upload the models into their company software for production.
NYC Media Lab is a proven thought leader in two emerging media and technology areas: VR/AR and data science. In the past year, they have completed dozens of prototyping projects with member companies to explore new potentials. Faculty and student representatives from NYU, Columbia University, Pratt Institute, The New School, The School of Visual Arts, CUNY and Cornell Tech each present and demo their cutting-edge projects, prototypes and startups they've developed with NYC Media Lab for a chance to not only win funds of their start-up but also to introduce different levels of innovation to the tech community.
Throughout the conference other designers presented their innovative work. Another keynote speaker Chris Mitch exclaimed
" 3D modeling and mapping allows us to explore the world in a virtual space to solve interesting problems"
Additionally, their were noteworthy Keynotes and discussions exploring the intersection of technology and civic engagement—including key trends that will drive how media is produced, consumed, distributed and monetized.
On stage NYCML hosted two special conversations, the first, took a look at the key trends that will shape the next decade of media; and another, on how two disruptive technologies—augmented reality and artificial intelligence—will transform the way we live, work, and play in cities. While listening to these speakers I felt a sense of apprehension about technology playing such an integral part in the lives of those that create it. Questions of trust and privacy were heavy on the minds of the other participants as we all sat there and listened to all the ways that we are slowly losing control of our privacy in exchange for an easier means to an end. To loosen the fear the presenter then release us to experience some of these state of the art tech devices, to feel and play with them, and to understand that we would remain in control of many of these devices.
"We are passionate about putting the real world into digital space" - Chris Mitch
Over a dozen faculty and community-led workshop took over the campuses, accelerators, and offices to bring guest hands-on learning experiences of the latest trends in digital innovation." I am so excited to speak with companies interested in purchasing my product for their fundraising events, or even to buy the technology to enhance it"
CONVERSATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF MEDIA
After the speakers, presenters and the demos we were then brought back into the conference room to witness the designers that were awarded the startup funding. These bright innovators were encouraged to never stop challenging new norms and continue to think outside the box!
