Workshops @ The Workshop

Description

The Workshop hosts a series of interactive workshops about various creative technologies that can support your personal and academic projects.

To receive a link to join the sessions, please register using the links below. For questions or accommodations, please contact Multimedia Teaching and Learning Librarian Oscar Keyes at keyesok@vcu.edu.

Upcoming Sessions:

Podcasting as Research Dissemination

Thursday, March 30, 2023, noon-1 p.m.

David Naff, associate director of VCU’s Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium, shares how podcasts share research. This presentation is a case study: Naff’s podcast Abstract communicates educational research to decision-makers in public schools. Naff will discuss theoretical and practical implications as well as implications for the literature on research use and podcasting as a communication tool in education. Naff has published about podcasting and research in the International Journal of Education Policy & Leadership. The workshop will explore the process of setting up a podcast as well as using it to share research with the public.

Naff is is a recent graduate of the VCU School of Education with a Ph.D. in educational psychology. Dr. Naff is a principal investigator on the MERC Equitable Access and Support for Advanced Coursework study. He also leads planning efforts for the annual MERC Conference. His research focuses on research dissemination and use in researcher-practitioner partnerships with K-12 public schools. Naff also serves on the Virginia Advisory Council for the Education of the Gifted. Prior to coming to MERC, Naff served as a high school counselor for four years in North Carolina.

Music Production Workshop: Learn to make a beat with Fruity Loops

Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 1-2 p.m.

Interested in making beats but not quite sure where to start? This interactive workshop will cover the basics of recording and mixing in Fruity Loops, a software for music production. The facilitator is (Eli)zabeth Owens, VCU alum and Education Director at Grimalkin Records. (Eli)zabeth Owens (they/them) is an avant-garde harpist, songwriter and producer based in Richmond, VA. As a lover of fantasy with a background in classical piano, voice, guitar, harp and sound design, Owens blends these sounds into compositions that suggest questions about what it means to be human.

Previous Sessions:

Adobe Premiere for Artists
Wednesday, September 14, 2022, 12:30 – 1:30pm
Location: Online - Registration Link
Facilitator: Oscar Keyes, The Workshop

Description: We will be doing a basic overview of Adobe Premiere, with a focus on the parts of the software that can be the most useful for creative expression. This will be in conversation with The Workshop's resource Adobe Premiere Exercises - Maya Deren Remix Series, which was designed for Art Foundation students and faculty but is open to everyone.

Adobe Premiere for Artists
Thursday, September 15, 2022, 12:30 – 1:30pm
Location: Online - Registration Link
Facilitator: Oscar Keyes, The Workshop

Video Editing for Social Media (YouTube, Tiktok, Instagram, etc.)
Friday September 16, 2022, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: Online - Registration Link
Facilitator: Richard Quarshie, University College - Interdisciplinary Studies
YouTube Channel: Globally Engaged

Description: Learn the basic building blocks for creating, editing, and sharing videos for social media. This interactive workshop provides a toolbox for making video content to be shared across popular platforms like YouTube, Tiktok, and Instagram.

Videos, Podcasts, Infographics, oh my! – Getting Started with Creative Digital Projects
Tuesday, September 20, 2022, 3:30 – 4:30pm
Location: Online - Registration Link
Facilitator: Oscar Keyes, The Workshop in partnership with the FILL

Description: Have you been assigned a creative project involving digital technologies and don’t know where to start? This workshop will provide you with an overview of the different tools available and how to get started with making digital creative works and research projects.

Ableton Live 101
Wednesday, Sept 21, 2022 1:30-2:30pm
Location: Online - Registration Link
Facilitator: (Eli)zabeth Owens, VCU alum and Education Director at Grimalkin Records

Description: Interested in music production but not quite sure where to start? This introductory, interactive workshop will cover the basics of recording and mixing in Ableton Live, a popular software for live musical performance.

Editing and Recording with Your Smartphone
Thursday, September 22, 2022, 3:30 – 4:30pm
Location: Online - Registration Link
Facilitator: Oscar Keyes, The Workshop in partnership with the FILL

Description: Learn how to unlock the full potential of your smartphone for video and audio recording and editing. We’ll cover techniques, equipment, and apps that can help you get the most out of these powerful personal devices we carry in our pockets everyday!

Data, Design, and Dissemination: A research communications workshop series

Research communication is important - As professional and general audiences get information from an increasingly diverse set of sources, researchers benefit from an understanding of approaches that take advantage of the multimedia world we’re in. This series will equip you with tools and know-how to communicate your research effectively through visual communication and thoughtful decisions about ways to reach your audience.

Data: Monday, October 3, 2022, 12:00 – 12:45 p.m. (Eric Johnson) - Registration Link
Learn the simple principles of data visualization that help you present effective charts and graphs so your audience can better understand your quantitative information. We will cover ways you can draw viewer attention to the point you want to make, choices you can make to declutter your visualization, discuss tool options, and more.
Design: Monday, October 10, 2022, 12:00 – 12:45 p.m. (Oscar Keyes) - Registration Link
Participants will learn how to create their own figures through design principles and accessibility guidelines in this interactive workshop. We demonstrate a few different tools and leave time for participants to create their own simple figures.
Dissemination: Monday, October 17, 2022,12:00 – 12:45 p.m. (Hillary Miller) - Registration Link
Participants will learn about the art of disseminating their research to maximize impact in their fields. We will cover where and how to share your research in order to meaningfully connect with audiences and access scholarly networking.

BFX: Using Blender to make a simple VFX Shot
Wednesday, October 12, 2022, 1-2 p.m.
Facilitator: Patrick Nugent, Freelance VFX Artist
Location: Online - Registration Link

Description: Dive into the very basics of camera matchmoving with Blender (free!) to 3d models into footage from a moving camera. Free-to-use footage and elements will be provided to follow along.

Crafting Simple Lip Balm
Friday, October 14, 2022 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: The Workshop (in-person) - Registration Link
Facilitator: Eden Neifeld, The Workshop

Description: Learn to make a simple vegan lip balm, no experience necessary. You will be able to take home your lip balm at the end of this workshop.

Videos, Podcasts, Infographics, oh my! – Getting Started with Creative Digital Projects
Tuesday, October 25, 2022, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Online - Registration Link
Facilitator: Oscar Keyes, The Workshop in partnership with the FILL

Editing and Recording with Your Smartphone
Thursday, October 27, 2022, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Online - Registration Link
Facilitator: Oscar Keyes, The Workshop in partnership with the FILL

Adobe Creative Jam Week - Oct 31 - Nov 2, 2022

In partnership with the DaVinci Center

Adobe Express (for Faculty) - Tuesday, November 1, 2022, noon-1 p.m.
Location: Online - Registration Link
Description: This hands-on workshop covers the basics of designing and assigning creative digital projects using the Adobe Express tools, such as podcasts, infographics, and video projects.
Adobe Rush (for Students) - Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 5-6 p.m.
Location: Online - Registration Link
Description: Participants will learn the basics of creating their own simple video in Adobe Rush. This editor is excellent for resizing and sharing materials across multiple social media platforms.
First-time Comic Creator Workshop - Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 6-7 p.m.
Location: Online - Registration Link
Facilitator: Leah Bonanni, The Workshop
Description: This interactive workshop is for beginner-level comic creators, both artists and non-artists, alike. Participants will make their own simple comic layouts using Adobe Express with stock images or simple drawings. This workshop is in partnership with the Jurgen Comics Contest at VCU Libraries.
Adobe Rush (for Faculty) - Wednesday, November 2, 2022, noon-1 p.m.
Location: Online - Registration Link
Description: This interactive workshop will walk faculty through creating a simple video in Adobe Rush, an easy-to-use video editor. This could be useful for creating online instructional content or for assigning video projects.
Inclusive Teaching with the Adobe Creative Cloud - Wednesday, November 2, 2022, 3-4 p.m.
Location: Online - Registration Link
Description: This seminar provides approaches for addressing some of the equity and accessibility issues that can arise when designing or assigning digital media projects. By the end of this session, participants will be able to scaffold these creative projects into their courses that set their students up for success despite any technological challenges they might face.

Generative AI Glitch Art: Looking for meaning

Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Curious about the controversies surrounding AI-generated art? This workshop explores the problems, possibilities and powers of image generation from text. The presenter, Adam Hyland, a doctoral student at the University of Washington’s Human Centered Design and Engineering department, will give the computer instructions it can’t follow and attendees will see what happens.

Hyland is interested in the structure and nature of collaboration among technical systems characterized by high demands for reliability. He has several years of experience in software development.

For special accommodations, or to register offline, please contact Ryan Pander, event manager, rbpander@vcu.edu or 804-828-0593.