The beginning of the year 2024 marked a significant milestone for students from the Digital Media and Digital Animation courses, as they embarked on an unforgettable 3-day Team Building Camp. This event, inspired by the Scout’s Jamboree and Martial Arts Camp, was not just any ordinary bonding trip. It was a carefully designed experience aimed at enabling students to reset and grow, both individually and as a team.
Students from both the Digital Media and Digital Animation committees, along with their lecturers, worked tirelessly to set up engaging and fun activities. Their hard work ensured that the camp was not only educational but also fun and memorable. The camp was sored with laughter and joy throughout the day!
At the camp, students were put into groups with people they didn’t know before. This setup was a great way for everyone to learn how to meet new friends, understand different ways of thinking, and figure out how to cooperate to achieve their goals. As they spent time together, doing activities and sitting around the campfire, these strangers became friends. They learned a lot about trusting each other and the importance of teamwork. This part of the camp showed how bringing different people together can turn into something special, creating new friendships and a strong sense of team spirit.
Upon arrival, students were divided into groups, embarking on their first task: to create a unique group identity. This involved designing a flag and taking on responsibilities that challenged their communication skills, teamwork, and accountability. These initial activities set the tone for what was to be a transformative experience.
Over the course of the camp, students were put to the test through various pressure-filled and unexpected challenges. These activities were designed to push them out of their comfort zones and encourage them to work together to overcome obstacles. The daily tasks assigned to each group further promoted a sense of responsibility and unity among the members.
The camp concluded on a high note, with every group having faced and overcome numerous challenges. The sense of achievement was palpable, and the experiences gained were invaluable. Students left the camp not just with memories, but with improved leadership skills, a resilient attitude, an empowered mindset, and a focus on discipline.
As the sun set on a day filled with challenges and learning, the night brought with it a different kind of warmth and joy. The students, having navigated through the day’s activities, gathered around a campfire they had started themselves. This moment was not just about enjoying the flickering flames but about coming together as a community to celebrate their achievements and the bonds they had formed.
A big thank you goes out to all the student committee members and lecturers who worked tirelessly to make the Team Building Camp a success. It’s truly impressive how professionally the students led and managed the entire event, showcasing their ability to handle responsibilities with great skill and dedication.
Special gratitude is extended to the student commitee, Amelia Chong Tsui Tong, Chay Jek Kean, Lam Weng En, Muhammad Loqman Hakim, and Tan Ji Kean for their exceptional leadership and commitment.
Their efforts ensured that the camp was not only enjoyable but also a meaningful experience for everyone involved. Their professionalism and dedication set a high standard and played a crucial role in the success of the camp, making it a memorable experience for all participants.
This Team Building Camp was more than just an event; it was a journey towards self-improvement and unity. The lessons learned and the bonds formed will undoubtedly serve the students well in their future endeavours, both academic and personal. As they return to their regular routines, they carry with them the spirit of teamwork and the knowledge that together, they can face and overcome any challenge that comes their way.
The Midnight Alley is a final year exhibition by the students of DDM212. This exhibition delves into the depths of fear and explores its psychological effects and impact on mental health. The event showcases immersive horror experiences filled with eerie interactions and jump-scares, shedding light on social and mental issues from various perspectives. Check out the recap video of the Day 1 launch below!
It was intense isn’t it? DDM212 consist of six students with great teamwork spirit. They’ve transformed the 4th floor of Dasein Academy into a haunted alley by resetting the entire mood with lighting props and sound to create an whole new immersive experience the moment visitors came out from the lobby lift.
What is most impressive is that they manage to attract and estimated of ~400 unique visitors during the first week of launch! Over the span of 2 weeks, the exhibitions has attracted not just students and staff within Dasein Academy, but also industry players, community and students from other university such as Sunway University and Malaysia Institute of Art.
Digital Media students from Sunway University have taken the initiative of visiting the Midnight Alley exhibition to learn and share knowledge together. On the last day of the Midnight Alley exhibition, we were visited by students from the Malaysia Institute of Art!
Here are the previews of the six exhibitions from The Midnight Alley
The Midnight Alley | Interactive Website by Loh Hui Yi
Loh Hui Yi is an innovative UI/UX designer with a passion for visual storytelling through web design. She developed a website to facilitate the entire exhibition, incorporating a booking and navigation system. However, she believed that merely showcasing a website on a laptop or mobile phone within the exhibition space lacked excitement. As a solution, she opted to use a hand-tracking sensor, Leap Motion, and project the website onto a wall, transforming the wall into an interactive touch screen. This method also enables her to incorporate sound jumpscare elements along with auditory sensory experiences, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves and gain an exceptional firsthand understanding of the exhibition.
Dark Descent | Interactive Sensory Experience by Bernice Lee Kah Wai
Bernice Lee is an adventurous interactive designer, often overwhelmed by her innovative ideas. For her installation, she decided to construct a haunted house tailored for the visually impaired. How does that work? Curious, isn’t it? While what typically comes to mind in a haunted house are jumpscares and scary visuals, Bernice raises a compelling question: What invokes fear in the visually impaired? Her goal is to raise awareness of the struggles and fears faced by the visually impaired in their daily lives.
In her haunted house, she engages different types of sensory experiences, from touch and sound to light. Yes, light (fun fact: did you know that not all visually impaired individuals see complete darkness? They can still perceive some forms of light). Using Arduino and various sensors, she enables the audience to trigger different sensory outputs, surprising and engaging them. Many screams were heard emanating from the booth, audible even from another floor.
Doors | Virtual Reality Experience by Chan Ann Ni
“Doors” is a Virtual Reality project by Chan Ann Ni, designed to allow the audience to immerse themselves in the exhibition space through another world using VR technology. Chan Ann Ni specializes in 3D and video production, and she utilises her skills to design immersive virtual surroundings to engage the audience fully. “Doors” has successfully achieved its goal of reflecting the theme of the event, challenging the audience to confront their fears and understand how psychology can impact one’s experiences. Many screams were heard from her booth, indicating the intense engagement and impact of her work. Thankfully, nobody wet their pants.
Toys Terror |Augmented Realisty (AR) Experience by January Lim Jia Yin
“Toy Terrors” is an Augmented Reality (AR) experience installation created by Lim Jia Yin, whose passion is bringing inanimate objects to life. She has carefully designed a physical setup to resemble a child’s room, complete with mood lighting to create an immersive atmosphere. Utilizing AR technology, she enables users to interact with content within a mixed reality environment. As a 3D designer at heart, Jia Yin delights in working with 3D animations and modeling, focusing on making them interactive to engage the audience effectively. Her installation not only showcases her technical skill but also her ability to blend technology with storytelling, inviting visitors to experience a familiar space transformed into an interactive adventure of animated wonders. Through “Toy Terrors,” Jia Yin turns everyday toys into characters of an engaging narrative that unfolds around the audience in real-time.
Nightmare Clowning |Interactive Motion Design by Stella Pua Pei Ling
Have you ever heard of coulrophobia? Coulrophobia is the fear of clowns, which many people believe is not a real psychological fear. This misconception is precisely the point Stella Pua Pei Ling aims to address. She herself is fond of clowns and was surprised to discover that some individuals have a genuine fear of them. Motivated by this, she decided to delve deeper into coulrophobia. Her objective is to educate and raise awareness about this uncommon phobia.
Stella Pua is a talented motion designer with a passion for character design and animation. In her project, she employs motion design to animate her own clown characters and creates an interactive projection mapping by using a projector and touch sensors. This setup allows the audience to interact directly with her animations, providing an engaging and educational experience. Through her work, Pua Pei Ling seeks to bridge the gap between fear and understanding, using her artistic skills to bring a new perspective on coulrophobia.
The Slaughter House | Interactive Illustration by Sky Wong Wei Jung
Sky Wong is a creative illustrator with a passion for bringing his drawings to life, specializing in creating illustrations with soul. He has always been a huge animal lover, with a particular fondness for cats. In fact, his love for cats surpasses almost everything else. Have I also mentioned that he loves cats a lot?
In his project, Sky Wong aims to raise awareness about the issue of animal poaching and to discourage the purchase of poached products. Aligning with the theme of Fear in this exhibition, he has crafted eerie illustrations of poached animals to enable the audience to feel the pain and fear these animals endure. Sky Wong uses props and sensors to immerse the audience in the memories of these poached animals, allowing them to visualize the different stages of suffering these animals go through.
In conclusion, this exhibition has been a tremendous success, attracting attention from students, industry professionals, and potential high school students with a keen interest in Digital Media. The event and exhibition’s success can be attributed to the exceptional teamwork and synergy among the team members. Their collaborative efforts have not only showcased their individual talents but also highlighted the collective strength and creativity of the group. This synergy has been a key factor in creating an engaging and impactful exhibition that resonates with a diverse audience, setting a benchmark for future events in the field of Digital Media.
And lastly, the team would like to thank everyone who has visited and supported The Midnight Alley.
On December 21, 2023, Dasein Digital Media organised an exciting field trip for 35 students to explore the Immersio 2023 exhibition at Muzium Telekom in Kuala Lumpur. This vibrant event, put organised by Filamen, showcased the creativity of over 20 new media artists who transformed the museum with digital art and interactive installations.
The students found inspiration for their future projects as they navigated through the installations and artworks. A special shoutout goes to our lecturer, KC Tan, who guided the students throughout the entire exhibition. KC Tan, not only a lecturer but also a contributing artist.
During the tour, KC Tan shared valuable insights and tips on the exhibited works, enhancing the students’ understanding and appreciation of the art installations.
The field trip turned out to be both educational and enjoyable, thanks to the engaging atmosphere created by the talented artists and community.
An Interview was conducted by ChinaPress delved into the impact of AI on creative education, featuring insights from faculty members and students of Dasein Academy of Art’s Digital Media department. The discussion revolved around the evolving role of technology, particularly AI, in shaping creative processes and its implications for the artistic landscape.
The conversation highlighted the dual nature of AI’s influence, acknowledging its capacity to streamline and enhance creative workflows while raising concerns about its potential to overshadow human creativity. Faculty members emphasised the importance of a balanced approach, recognising AI’s benefits in improving efficiency while preserving the essential elements of critical thinking and artistic innovation.
From left: Chin Tien Yong, Fong Kheng Wai & Bernice Lee.
Ethical considerations surrounding AI-generated content, including issues related to originality, copyright, and the fine line between inspiration and plagiarism, were thoroughly explored. This highlighted the challenges faced when integrating AI into the creative sphere.
Students shared their positive experiences with AI tools, appreciating their assistance in refining creative work, yet maintaining a cautious approach to avoid over-reliance. Their perspectives emphasized the need for human involvement in artistic expression despite technological advancements.
The conversation also touched upon the evolving landscape of the job market, emphasising the significance of skill development, adaptability, and continuous learning for students preparing for their future careers.
Overall, the dialogue underscored the nuanced relationship between AI and creativity, portraying the potentials and limitations of AI tools within education and the arts, while emphasising the preservation of human creativity amidst technological advancements.”
On December 8th, the Shuttlerock Studio team traveled all the way from Johor to host an insightful workshop for Dasein students. The focus was on improving the effectiveness on the ideation stage when working on projects. The workshop aimed to equip students with valuable tips and techniques to enhance the effectiveness of their idea proposals, reducing the likelihood of rejection from their lecturers.
During the workshop, students were given practical experience with working assets and hands-on tutorials. This hands-on approach helped them grasp the concepts and apply them to their own projects.
Following the practical session, students had the opportunity to showcase their work and receive feedback and critique from the experienced professionals at Shuttlerock Studio.
The workshop turned out to be a productive and enriching day for all the students involved. They not only gained practical skills but also benefited from the real-world insights provided by the Shuttlerock Studio team. It was indeed a wonderful opportunity for students to enhance their project ideation process and receive guidance from industry experts.
