data-di

Designing EdCamp Palm Springs

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:20:00 +0000

Di junior, Sebastian Vasquez, recently designed the all new EdCamp Palm Springs logo for local technology specialists from PSUSD.

The design was modeled after the original logo created by Lorenzo Ibarra who is a graduate of Camden County Technical Schools. The EdCamp Foundation encourages the redesign of the original logo to emphasize the local flavor of where the various events are held and boosts a great collection here!.

EdCamp is a user-generated "unconference", designed to provide participant-driven professional development for K-12 educators around the world.

Learn more about EdCamp Palm Springs here!

Shooting DigiCom 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:25:00 +0000

On Tuesday, May 7th, eight Di graduating senior ladies photographed the 2013 DigiCom Student and Teacher Film Festival. This is the third year that DATA Digital Imaging has provided photography for this event.

View Year 1

View Year 2

View Year 3

ORDER your PRINTS HERE

and support DATA-SkillsUSA!

Intel Visionary - Washington, D.C.

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Sat, 04 May 2013 15:59:00 +0000

On April 25, 2013 Di instructor Matt Cauthron had the rare opportunity of sharing the Rio Vista Collaborations as part of an English Language Arts presentation with Adobe Education Leaders at Intel's 2013 Visionary Conference held in Washington, D.C. The conference held in partnership with Tech & Learning, aimed to take educational and corporate leaders from across the country from "talking the talk" to "walking the walk" by providing real world examples of innovative, collaborative and globally connected classrooms.

An Apple Distinguished Program

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:23:00 +0000

Cathedral City, CA - April, 26, 2013
The Digital Arts Technology Academy’s Digital Imaging program is pleased to announce that it has been named an Apple Distinguished Program for 2012-2013 school year.

The Apple Distinguished Program designation is reserved for programs that meet criteria for innovation, leadership, educational excellence, and demonstrate Apple’s vision of exemplary learning environments.

The selection of DATA Di as an Apple Distinguished Program highlights its successes in enhancing and extending teaching and learning with thoughtful and innovative implementations of technology. Lead by Matt Cauthron, an Apple Distinguished Educator, this program “Focuses Student Creativity” by connecting a variety of digital arts technologies with local and global community collaborations. Students produce high quality professional work in photography, animation, graphic design, video, and digital books that connect student passions with real-world professional opportunities.

You can learn more about the strength of this amazing program, see its successes, or download their free iBooks at www.DATA-Di.us.

The Digital Arts Technology Academy at Cathedral City High School prepares students for college and career, while developing their passion for one or more digital arts areas. Students in the Academy graduate at a higher rate, are provided access to a range of technologies, interact with a variety of design, arts, and media professionals, and have attended nearly 40 different colleges and universities. Alumni have gone on to start their own businesses, become game designers, photographers, illustrators, artists, educators, medical practitioners, and work in the media.

Earning California Gold at SkillsUSA

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:23:00 +0000

53 students and four DATA teachers had an amazing experience at the 46th Annual State Leadership Conference and SkillsUSA Championships, April 4th-7th, at the Town and Country Resort down in San Diego.

18 students received medals in 10 out the 15 skill and leadership competition areas entered. Four golds were earned with the opportunity to compete at the 49th Annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City this June against other students from around the U.S.

6 students will be representing Cathedral City and the State of California in Screen Printing Technology, Audio/Radio Production, and Promotional Bulletin Board. DATA also earned gold in Graphic Communications and had four students who donated their time as Courtesy Core volunteers.

Congratulations to the follow students!

Screen Printing Technology
Gold - Paul Acevedo

After 5 years in the States!

Audio / Radio Production (Team)
Gold - Sebastian Gomez and Alan Anguiano

1st Place as freshmen

Graphic Communications
Gold - Sebastian Vasquez
Returned as a junior to take 1st!

Promotional Bulletin Board (Team)
Gold - Crystal Zacarias, Mariah Wells, Tammy Melendez
Simple designs make a difference!

Career Pathway Showcase - Art, Technology, Communications (Team)
Silver - Jessica Gallardo, Melissa Munoz, Jazmin Simon

They were completely surrounded by the enemy

Chapter Display (Team)

Silver - Kaylin Murphy, Melissa Munoz, Jazmin Simon
PDP test broke the tie

Creed

Silver - Antonio Arce
Our bravest freshman yet!

Broadcast News Production (Team)

Silver - Kaylin Murphy, Sara Lopez, Taylor Burns, Linda Ha

Missed Gold by .4%!

Digital Cinema Production (Team)

Bronze - Jonathan Serna, Isreal Chavez
Waited 12 hours after finishing to see the judges

Prepared Speech

Bronze - Moises Murillo

Courtesy Core Volunteers

Jeanette Segoviano, Geraldine Morataya, Kenia Meza, and Maria Gonzalez
SkillsUSA CA wouldn't have gone on w/out ya!

View State photos here!
or visit www.DATASkillsUSA.org for more information

Hot Purple Festival Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:14:00 +0000

Ever thought that a digital arts classroom could partner with a local solar energy company? Well, this year DATA Digital Imaging and Hot Purple Energy teamed up to shoot "where art is happening" at the Indian Wells Arts Festival.

Di has been working with festival producer Diane Funk for three consecutive years now shooting the event with student images being used online and in print. This year we notched it up a level by staging a full green screen studio completely run on energy harnessed from the sun! Festival goers were shot on-sight by a team of 12 students over the 3-day event, then Photoshopped into this year's festival print, Trail to the Pyramids, by artists Linda and Dusty Kinman.

"It was amazing to know that our computers and studio lights were seamlessly being powered by the sun. It was also great to work as a team with such an enthusiastic company like HPE who truly believe in doing exciting things in our community."

-Manuel Gomez

Di Junior and Photo Project Manager

Check out the festival shots here!

Buy a Hot Purple Energy print here!

Inspiration(al) Creativity

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 22:07:00 +0000

Congratulations to Di junior Jarelle Balanzat for winning the 2013 Joe and Pamela Bonino Award for Photographic Creativity from the Palm Springs Art Museum. The annual Fine Arts Creativity Awards and Scholarships was held on Match 16, 2013 at the Museum's Annenberg Theater. This is the 2nd time that DATA Digital Imaging has won this prestigious award in recent years.

Le Parkour
Digital Image

"My name is Jarelle Balanzat, I am a Junior at Cathedral City High School and am part of the Digital Arts Technology Academy. I find it convenient that a digital image can fabricate a new reality and provide an entrirely new level of inspiration from single elements captured in various moments of time.

I built this false reality of image and scanned pencil as an homage to a friend who struggles to go beyond. He is one who enjoys exploring his environment through Parkour, the art of displacement, in hopes of climbing above normality to obtain his dreams. It it is this, too, that I find to be an inspiration."

Building A Fashionable Tradition

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:50:00 +0000

The Digital Arts Technology Academy is honored to be the only school in California with the privilege of shooting the annual El Paseo Fashion Week four years in a row.

During the week of March 18-23, 2013, twelve DATA students worked alongside professional photographers from throughout the Southwestern U.S. to shoot the high energy event.

View the Di gallery here!

Continuing On CUE with Apple

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:27:00 +0000

In addition to the 5+ years that Di students have helped to support Cahuilla CUE and the Apple Education rooms at the annual CUE conference, several joined Mr. Cauthron to present our 3rd local arts and literacy collaboration between Rio Vista Elementary and James Workman Middle schools.

Students with several years of experience spoke about their various roles to a full room of California technology specialists and presented last year's fully interactive iBook using iPad 3 and Apple TV.

"Not enough students have an idea that what we do in DATA means something to people in other places. It is great sharing our work with teachers from California and beyond."

-Sara Lopez, DATA Junior and iBooks Authorista

View our presentation here!

Download our free iBooks here!

Creating Tahquitz

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:58:00 +0000

Our 3rd multi-age, cross-media project from the Rio Vista Collaboration series is well under way! Legends of Tahquitz focuses on multiple perspectives of a local myth, while bridging this local arts & literacy effort with our 2013 Student Creative global collaboration, MyThology.

This year's project begins with three stories written by James Workman Middle School GATE English students from varying perspectives of the Tahquitz Canyon myth. From these three pieces, Di students again worked with Rio Vista Elementary 3rd graders to develop an exciting visual foundation for digital illustrations. After initial artworks were completed under the direction of PSUSD Visual Arts Specialist Louisa Castrodale, Di students then began to work in teams to create solutions for three separate animations which will be submitted to local and regional student film festivals. All media will be compiled as a fully interactive digital text for the iPad and downloadable for free from the iBookstore on iTunes.

Later this Spring, video from this project and further imagery will join our fourth Student Creative digital text alongside works from students sharing their mythological perspectives from around the globe.

Hike Tahquitz with us and JWMS authors here!

Download the Rio Vista Collaborations on iTunes here!

About Face Awarded

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:38:00 +0000

For three years, PSUSD and Cathedral City's Public Arts Commission have worked to help promote photography as part of it's educational community. This year's theme, About Face, worked in concert with world-renown local celebrity photographer Michael Childers.

The show and awards ceremony on March 16th recognized talented students for their work at elementary, middle school, and high school levels from Cathedral City schools.

Congratulations to the following Di students!

1st and 2nd Place Advanced - Crystal Zacarias

3rd Place Advanced - Ella Ramirez

1st Place Beginning and Best of Show - Kandace Jovan

2nd Place Beginnig - Reesha Jessie

and a huge congrats to our upcoming photo students...

Willow Vega – Grade 5 - Landau Elementary

Melinee Ray, Kenia Gonzales, Erik Villa, Abigail Ortiz, Arianna Martinez, Angelica Rodriguez, Alyssa Cordero, Yullissa Rodriguez - Grade 4 – Agua Caliente Elementary

Daniel Behnam - Grade 1 - Rio Vista Elementary

Guadalupe Cortez - Grade 8 - Nellie Coffman Middle School
Isamar Meza - Grade 8 - Nellie Coffman Middle School
Alexia Marquez - Grade 6 - Nellie Coffman Middle School

Shooting the Oscars

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 03:24:00 +0000

On Sunday, Feb. 24th, DATA Di was invited by the Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce to shoot 'paparazzi style' on the red carpet at Hollywood's Biggest Night, a live broadcast of the Oscars at the Mary Pickford Theater.

While working the event, several of the 14 students were interviewed by KESQ and DATA grad, Laura Yanez, for Oscar Fever Takes Over the Valley as well as for The Desert Sun.

Check out the gallery here!

Warner Bros. Studio Tour 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 01:51:00 +0000

On February 20th, The Digital Arts Technology Academy took 50 CCHS freshmen and 50 incoming 8th graders from Nellie Coffman and James Workman middle schools on a VIP tour of Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Ca. This was an awesome time for all students entering the DATA proram and/or thinking about careers in arts, media, or entertainment.

While on the tour, students (and teachers) were treated to a tour of various on site shooting locations, several sets, the WB Museum, the extensive prop room, and the car warehouse showcasing vehicles from WB films. The entire experience provided a first hand look into the history of film and TV, as well as one of California's leading industries.

Learn more about Warner Bros. Studio tours here!

2013 Scholastic Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 23:11:00 +0000

Congratulations to the following DATA Di students who were recognized by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers as 2013 Scholastic Art award winners. Gold Keys recipients' artwork advances to New York to be considered for National recognition. An awards show and gallery reception will be held on February 28th from 5:30-7:30 at the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art at California State University, San Bernardino.

Gold Keys

Emilia Jimenez,
Winter in New York
Digital Photograph

Nancy Zavala,
Dia de Los Muertos
Digital Illustration

Silver Keys
Branden Joven (3d Rendering)

Denisse Gonzalez (Photography)

Geraldine Morataya (Photography)

Leslie Rocha (Photography)

Manuel Gomez (Photography)

Honorable Mentions

Cristian Herrera, Emilia Jimenez, Maggie Arechiga, and Nancy Zavala for photography

Jacquelyn Isais & Angie Ochoa for animation

View all of their work here!

2013 SkillsUSA Regionals

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 22:12:00 +0000

Congratulations to the 55 DATA students who earned medals at the 2013 SkillsUSA California Region 6 skill and leadership competitions!

They won 26 Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in 15 individual and team events over the two Saturdays at San Bernardino Valley College. 56 total students (up from 40 in 2012) qualified to advance to the state competitions at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego this April.

Leadership Events

Prepared Speech

Gold - Moises Murillo

Creed

Gold - Antonio Arce

Quiz Bowl (Team)

Gold - Christian Orduno, Alex Eisman, Moises Murillo & Kyel bullen

Chapter Display (Team)

Gold - Marina Texel, Mariah Wells & Narcisso Barragan

Silver - Nancy Zavala, Maggie Arechiga & Jazmin Orozco

Bronze - Melissa Munoz, Kaylin Murphy & Jazmin Simon

AME Career Pathway Showcase (Team)

Gold - Jessica Gallardo, Nancy Zavala & Melissa Munoz

Promotional Bulletin Board (Team)

Gold - Crystal Zacarias, Mariah Wells & Tammy Melendez

Silver - Yolanda Cortez, Denys Loaiza & Andrea Alvarez

Skill Events

Digital Cinema (Team)

Gold - Jarelle Balanzat & Melissa Medina

Silver - Jonathan Serna

3D Visualization (Team)

Gold - Branden Joven & Alex Eisman

Silver - Kyle Bullen & Brady Guitterez

Bronze - Jason Bullen & Manuel Lopez

w/3 other DATA 3D teams advancing to State

Photography

Gold - Emilia Jimenez

Silver - Ella Ramirez

Bronze - Melissa Guevara

Broadcast Journalism (Team)

Gold - Kaylin Murphy, Linda Ha, Taylor Burns & Sara Lopez

Silver - Derrick Serrano, Jessie Villareal, Kimberly Martinez & Yolanda Cortez

TV Video Production (Team)

Gold - Andrea Alvarez & Denys Loaiza

Silver - Rio Chacon & Simi Chacon

Bronze - Mayra Garcia & Tracy Sanchez

Graphic Communications

Gold - Sebastian Vasquez

Screen Printing Technology

Gold - Paul Acevedo

T-Shirt Design

Bronze - Christian Orduno

Audio/Radio Production (Team)

Gold - Sebastian Gomez & Alan Anguiano

View event photos here!

Check out www.DATASkillsUSA here!

A Day in Print

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:59:00 +0000

On December 12th, two DATA-Di groups of students visited local printing agencies in preparation for the 2012-13 SkillsUSA competition season.

In the morning, students interested in screen printing technologies had an opportunity to visit Desert Promotions in Palm Springs. Here, students had a first hand look at a production facility that handles silk screening and embroidery, as well as a peek into their new online marketing as OMG Tees.

In the afternoon, student teams focusing on large scale display printing returned to one our favorite community partners, Photo Colorgraphix in Palm Desert. New and returning competitors were introduced to back-lite and vinyl printing techniques that they could you as print media to help spread the word about SkillsUSA and the DATA program.

Check out some of the photos here!

Now in 50 Stores!

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 18:24:00 +0000

DATA Digital Imaging is pleased to announce that The Rio Vista Collaborations are now available for free on iTunes in 50 stores globally!

In each fully interactive iBook you will find student artwork, video, stories, the Challenge Based Learning project, and a 'behind the scenes' of the process - All ready to go for your iPad.

Click here

to visit DATA Digital Imaging

on iTunes!

Game Designer Unity

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 00:10:00 +0000

On January 11th, 2008 DATA grad Bryan O'Neil stopped by the Di studio to share some techniques on getting started in video game design. Bryan, who just graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Game Design from the Art Institute and has developed two mobile gaming apps available on iTunes, provided an introduction to the Unity Game Engine to interested students in grades 9 - 12. He demonstrated and answered questions surrounding the addition of assets, developing terrain, and building out for iOS, Web, and desktop platforms.

Notes from Bryan on becoming a game developer

Discover what you are good at and make it your passion!
Take advantage from all the amazing resources on YouTube
Keep in mind - game design studios are in cities close to International airports
Develop a solid portfolio because employers want to see what you can do!

Unity is a free and simple to learn game development environment which easily integrates work from 3D software, and has a huge developer community that supports the sharing of techniques.

Help support this DATA grad by checking out

his mobile game apps

or by making a donation to

their start up on indiegogo!

Digital Domain Artistry

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 17:28:00 +0000

On October 4th, '08 DATA graduate Juan Nuno returned to the Di studio to visit students and share his experience of becoming a 3d environment artist. Juan after completing his Bachelor of Science in Game Art and Design at the Art Institute- Inland Empire, landed a job at James Cameron's Digital Domain working as a digital artist creating 3d elements for the video game industry.

While in the studio, he challenged aspiring Di game designers to a project using low polygons, color theory, original textures, and 3-point lighting. Check out The Pretty Box challenge here.

Notes on becoming a 3D Artist from Juan Nuno

Be motivated, doing the minimum never cuts it
Take the time to create a good portfolio
Visit and learn from 3D Forums (CG Hub, Poly Count, Game Artisans)
Network with peers because it really is about "who you know"
Find your niche and research it
Broaden your ability
Drawing and Color Theory are your foundation
Know your tools (UDK UT3, Photoshop, Z Brush, 3D Max or Maya, After Effects)

Check out his full portfolio @

www.juannuno3d.com

Banana Slug Creativity

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 05:42:00 +0000

Home after their first semester at the University of California at Santa Cruz, Banana Slugs Radu Vasilie and Kevin Rodriguez stopped by the Di studio to share a little about the Computer Science major at UCSC.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What can you tell us about the CSi program?

Computer science requires working together with a partner towards a common goal
Problem solving skills tend to be more important then math knowledge
In the 1st Quarter we were already creating basic game concepts

What is it like going to college close to the Silicon Valley?

We are regularly visited by Apple, Google, Netflix, Lucas Arts, HP, and Microsoft
Seminars are provided where the companies discuss requirements for employment, what to expect, and what they are looking for
We learn what to prepare for ahead of time and are granted opportunities to ask questions

What did you learn in DATA that helps you in the program at UCSC?

Learning to work together in a collaborative manner
The challenges provided by SkillsUSA
Being friendly and open to different types of people
Having the opportunity to be creative along with the use of technology

What advice can you give current DATA students?

CSi opportunities are B I G
There are TONS of opportunities for game design, programming, and engineering
Housing is expensive and limited, so start looking very early
Go for the Cal Grant!

Learn more about

The University of California, Santa Cruz here!
(Yes, Mr. C is a Slug too)

Getty CSUN 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:28:00 +0000

On November 15th, 60 DATA students visited the Cal State University at Northridge and The Getty Museum. While at CSUN, they were treated to a personal tour of the Visual Arts Department by DATA Alum Leah Oakes, and met with coordinating staff of both the Cinema and Television Arts and The Center for Visual Communications (VISCOM) departments.

During the visit with VISCOM Professor Dave Moon, he stressed the importance of

work ethic above all else
team work and collaboration
building a solid portfolio
and utilizing the power of peer networking

Qualifying Photography Skills

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 04:52:00 +0000

On Wednesday, November 28th, local photographers Ethan Kaminsky of Kaminsky Productions and Chris Miller of Imagine Imagery donated their time in between shoots to qualify Di students for the 2012-13 SkillsUSA photography competition season. Both photographers interviewed students and provided guidance in practice for the state and national levels.

Congratulations to the following students for qualifying for SkillsUSA California Region 6 Photography!

Emilia Jimenez

Ella Ramirez

Estaban Bonilla

Jenni Verela

Melissa Guevara

Crystal Zacarias

Janette Segoviano

UCLA Design Media Arts

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:32:00 +0000

On November 8th, 50 DATA students were treated to a special tour of the Design Media Arts (DMA) department at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

While at DMA, students spoke with professors and toured the photography, typography, fabrication, and game design facilities. They also recieved information on the DMA Summer Institute for high school students and how to enter the program as a freshmen based on specific portfolio criteria.

View photos from the trip here!

Life Touch Studios 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 01:22:00 +0000

As part of an ongoing community partnership with Life Touch Studios in Palm Desert, Di students were again provided a Fall opportunity of working in a professional photography environment. For the past five years, students have worked with AC Patel and his crew during the day assisting school-wide year book photos and after school on senior portrait sessions.

This annual opportunity provided

25 students a total of 45 hours of hands on experience

using a variety camera and content management technologies

Note Pad Wars on iTunes

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Cauthron) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:32:00 +0000

The second mobile gaming app from Metal Games, led by DATA/Art Institute grad Bryan O'Neil, is now available on the iTunes store!

This app allows users to upload their own drawings or art to become part of the game and available for the whole world to play.

Checkout Note Pad Wars on iTunes!