Fall 2013

CAN THIS BALL Change the World?

A METHOD To Improve Work

LOCAL INNOVATION Comes to HGTV

THE MIND BEHIND The Look of The Matrix www.dmacc.edu/ci www.IowaNetworkServices - @IowaNetworkSvcs www.IowaNetworkServices - @IowaNetworkSvcs FEATURES

7 | Comfort with Uncertainty By Jessica Matthews 17 | Booze, Sex & Money: A Method to Focus and Improve the Quality of Your Work By Dr. anthony Paustian

23| From Tag Sale to TV Show: Creativity Thrives at West End Architectural Salvage By Denise Linn 29| Immersion in Everything: An Interview with John Gaeta

Celebrate! Innovation Magazine is published biannually by Des Moines Area Community College West Campus. For advertising or content inquiries, contact:

Dr. Anthony Paustian Provost, DMACC West Campus 5959 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 515-633-2439 [email protected]

Contributors: Publisher: Anthony Paustian, Ph.D. Co-Editor: Beth Baker-Brodersen Co-Editor: Seeta Mangra-Stubbs Designer/Production: Amina Miraj Ali

Cover Photo: The SOCCKET. Used with permission.

©Copyright 2013 Des Moines Area Community College

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY: Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in or allow discrimination covered by law. This includes harassment based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability and genetic information. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may fle a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from any of the counselors/advisors or from the Provost’s offce. Persons who wish additional information or assistance may contact the Section 504/ ADA Coordinator, 515-964-6857; the Title IX/Gender Equity Offcer, 515-964-6850; or the EEO/AA Offcer, Human Resources, Ankeny Campus, Bldg 1, 515-964-6301. 4 | ciMagazine EDITOR’S NOTE as an english composition instructor, i’ve each other well. yet, even though i am older makes it apparent that a steady current of read hundreds, if not thousands, of student (by 1 year and 364 days to be exact), i still creativity, along with a generous spirit of fun, drafts over the years. this fact earns mixed have much to learn from him. on the day i motivates the artisans, employees, and owner reactions from others: everything from read “Booze, sex, and Money: a Method to Don short in everything they do. not only do “what you do is so important” to “i could Focus and improve the Quality of your work,” they collect what others have created, they never do what you do—how do you grade all i had been feeling stressed, mildly frustrated, use fnds to create other objects—furniture, those papers?” Most teachers are perpetual and out of sorts in general. what had i been art, jewelry—through an innovative process of students; in the case of writing teachers, the attempting to do? Multitask. was i able to possibility and resourcefulness. so successfully? no. Did i miss the joy of the various essays and journal entries feed our inspiration. Focus. ingenuity. Fun. it’s what moment? yes. after contemplating tony’s innate curiosity. sure, some drafts are rough- keeps artists, designers, entrepreneurs, message, i was able to take a deep breath, shut around-the-edges. sometimes, we’ve read writers, editors, teachers, and students going, out distractions, and lose myself in my work. about a topic so many times that—despite despite the long hours, uncertainty, and a writer’s best intentions—an essay can be a working with words is a guilty pleasure: demands of the creative process. Perhaps pretty tough sell. But often the student work i get to play with language anD learn tyler Fuller, a DMacc student in one of my provides unexpected pleasure. something new, whether through my day spring 2013 composition classes, expressed Like Jessica Matthews, most teachers are job at DMacc or my work on this magazine. this concept best when he summed up his motivated at least in part by a desire to Participating in the editing process is a little impressions of celebrate! innovation week have an impact on the future. Matthews, an like having a private conversation with an at DMacc west: “Leave your mark.” the inventor and entrepreneur, expresses this so author, where i can pick the writer’s brain, innovators within these pages and the minds eloquently: “the honesty and insightfulness of and i always come away richer. in “immersion that fll the halls of DMacc west campus do youth will progress society. invest in fve-year- in everything,” John Gaeta, a visual effects it all the time. now, it’s your turn. olds, not to cure cancer, but to inspire them, designer for The Matrix Trilogy (among other so they believe they can. that way, at age 15, things) who works in the feld of virtual they will.” Matthews is one of the founders reality, offers additional perspective on the of soccKet, an innovative green product creative process: “i am highly infuenced by (in this case, a soccer ball) that generates other artists’ works. i believe art works in energy through play. soccKet originated movements, and artists are inspired by one another, that they sort of evolve and refect through a class project when she was a Beth Baker-Brodersen is a professor of english at student at harvard college. in “comfort with one another. you see branches of people the DMacc west campus and District chair of leading, doing something original, which communications for DMacc. she may be reached uncertainty,” Matthews shares the wisdom of at [email protected]. an old soul, through the words and actions of becomes more compelling to explore.” his a brilliant and ambitious adult. interview with anthony Paustian allows us to gain an insider’s perspective of a highly inspiration is part of what motivates us, yet creative and demanding feld, one intriguing it matters little if we do nothing. the ability yet unfamiliar to most. to focus, a skill much in demand for teaching and a successful life in general, is addressed as Gaeta’s interview illustrates, the creative by Dr. anthony Paustian, DMacc west process from idea to product is seldom campus Provost. i have had the pleasure of linear. west end architectural salvage is a working with tony for 8 years and—maybe Des Moines business for anyone interested in i’m assuming too much here—i say we know architecture, design, and material recycling. Denise Linn, in “From tag sale to tV show,”

Fall 2013 | 5

The SOCCKET. Used with permission. COMFORT WITH

By Jessica Matthews UNCERTAINTY

I remember exactly what a Coca-Cola executive once told me at a Fast Company event. He already knew about the SOCCKET—a soccer ball that stores and harnesses kinetic energy from play to power a six-watt LED light bulb—and during our conversation he stated, “You need to become a business, so other businesses can do business with you.”This simple sentence catalyzed my then-LLC’s shift into a social enterprise called Uncharted Play. In addition to SOCCKET (our flagship product), Uncharted Play is developing a jump-rope prototype, an American football, a skateboard, and a smart soccer ball.

Fall 2013 | 7 Matthews at work with the WAMATO Trust Fund in Mbezi Beach in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Used with permission. however, that sentence in 2010 was ventures like Model un and science fairs, not the true beginning of our business my after-school activities allowed me philosophy. in actuality, uncharted Like most social at an early age to diversify my interests. Play’s core mission—to foster welfare once captain of my high school and by inspiring people to lead playful entrepreneurs, I don’t college step-dance teams, i am proud lives—was born through my childhood just have far-reaching today to serve as the step-team captain interests and experiences. i’m 25 years at harvard Business school. aside from old, the second of four children, and hopes for the my love of dancing, another desire in a frst-generation nigerian-american. company. I dream my life is to invent. i loved Bill Nye the in 2010, i graduated from harvard Science Guy, and i asked for chemistry college with a degree in psychology of a better world. and biology sets and microscopes as and economics, and i am now working gifts in my youth. From an early age, i felt toward my MBa at harvard Business fortunate to pursue so many passions school. i knew i wanted to pursue my study in economics (a decision both academically and athletically. psychology when i was exposed to it originally made to appease my parents) My parents sacrifced a great deal for me, through an advanced placement course allows me to understand numbers and without them, i would not be who in high school. i love social interaction and fnancial systems, both extremely i am today. My father, an entrepreneur, including the ways people engage and valuable skills. raised me to be comfortable with make decisions. i’m fascinated by the Growing up, i was active in a myriad of uncertainty. i learned situations would fact that we cannot live our lives like extracurricular activities. From dance, be sometimes troublesome, and that preplanned books. on the other hand, karate, and basketball to academic was all right. i learned situations would

8 | ciMagazine I love social interaction including the ways people engage and make decisions. I’m fascinated by the fact that we cannot live our lives like preplanned books. be sometimes triumphant, and that was better. i know now not to stress over little things because i have a way to get through any situation. My mother did not just give me the drive to do, but to accomplish. she would see, for example, kids making video games on The Oprah Winfrey Show and instruct my sister and me to make video games too. it didn’t matter that i was seven and had no idea how to code. she would stop at nothing to Two SOCCKETs with lights. Used with permission. remind us to be the best we could be. could fnd—plastic bottles, caps, but meaningful. i was persistent in my Due to her encouragement, that attitude bundled-up garbage. still, their skills belief the soccKet would matter in is now ingrained. were more impressive than a FiFa-level the same way it was worth developing. the fact that my parents are immigrants game. inspiration for the soccKet so, i pursued it. Many people said it contributes to their powerful motivation. was everywhere. was a good idea, but a lot of people simultaneous to building the best life called it impractical. i was smart about in the fall of 2008, i came across a for our family in the u.s., my parents its growth, but i was also ambitious and class called idea translation: affecting kept my siblings and me close to our naïve. ironically, this lack of awareness change through art and science. nigerian heritage. My experiences in allowed me to get through things that essentially, students would get money nigeria helped fully shape uncharted people said i could not do. it’s much to develop incredible innovations. this Play. a few months before the soccKet easier to think outside of the box when course pushed the idea that there are was developed, i visited nigeria for my you have no idea there’s a box in the more than just two ways to see the uncle’s wedding. i remember distinctly frst place. From the beginning, i knew world. there should be a depth to the choking on the fumes of a diesel i had to be my biggest cheerleader; i way people design solutions. the task, generator outside my aunt’s home. needed to believe and have the passion at its surface, seemed simple: come My cousins said, “Don’t worry, you’ll for my project that would pull others to up with a problem that is meaningful, get used to it.” their complacency it, not push them away. even though i then devise a solution. i thought back to bothered me; they didn’t want to did not realize the hardships ahead, my nigeria. there was my impetus. change the situation. But what they did general ability to do this allowed me to want, along with so many other people the idea appeared easier than it ended continue despite obstacles. i encountered on my trip, was to play up being. however, i knew it would soccer. around my aunt’s compound, be a good product, maybe not huge, kids were kicking whatever they Fall 2013 | 9 My father, an entrepreneur, raised me to be comfortable with uncertainty. I learned situations would be sometimes troublesome, and that was all right. I learned situations would be sometimes triumphant, and that was better.

the ball. the soccKet will continue to evolve. recognizing that the best products grow with people, versus stay stagnant, helped me become comfortable with putting the

Matthews with President Obama playing with a SOCCKET during his African tour. Used with permission. soccKet out there even though i knew it wasn’t perfect. the hardest thing about developing since the initial hardships, the soccKet From the initial prototype to its the soccKet was something i realized has signifcantly evolved. the frst current form, a key characteristic only in retrospect after years of working prototype was a hamster ball with a remained constant. the soccKet on the product and building a business shake-and-charge fashlight. then, represents a visualization of the hard- around it. the world of business is we started to pull apart the fashlight to-conceptualize notion of energy. in not a playground where everyone and use normal soccer balls. in total, truth, energy, whether present or not, interrelates fairly. sometimes, things the soccKet went through six or is a tangible thing. it is one of the most were ineffcient, money was periodically seven iterations, a typical amount for a important resources next to water lost, and on occasion, relationships research and development company. and food. ultimately, the soccKet is were ruined. the reason is simple: not when we launched our large pilot a personal but simple experience. as everyone involved knew what it would testing program, the soccKet was an individual, you feel empowered on take to run an effective business. there good enough to sustain the rough any socioeconomic level. the goal is to is a difference between a group of terrain and conditions of resource-poor inspire people, so they can be innovative women in a classroom and a thriving communities. now, we want to present and creative. People can be inventors company. Bridging that gap was this product to the developed world. without having a doctorate, a degree of diffcult. now, it is easier to navigate, but we plan on launching the soccKet to any kind, or even a traditional education. it’s never an easy thing to accept. private consumers in late august 2013. i want people to know they can build still, we have more changes in mind something amazing to address issues in to improve the output and balance of 10 | ciMagazine their communities. the soccKet gives people energy both literally to light their homes and fguratively as a driving force to push individuals to accomplish things they may not think they can do. Personally, i am energized by inspiration, specifcally, fortitude. seeing someone who lives in a poor country yet smiles every day, epitomizes comfort with uncertainty. i am also inspired when i see individuals who see the entire picture. Michelle obama, for example, is one of the most amazing women for how she handles problems and stays calm. i imagine she is someone who attempts to see the whole issue before addressing it. when i hear about or interact with people who possess these qualities, i feel motivated to keep pushing forward. this allows me to look toward the future of uncharted Play. what lies ahead is encompassed by focused expansion. i’m working hard to focus attention on the company, not just the soccKet. i want to address more social causes—like water and food insecurities—through play. Furthermore, i want to continue to harness the potential of green technologies. Green is good business. as soon as people start seeing that green means long- Tanzanian kids with the SOCCKET. Used with permission. term economic and environmental sustainability, the global community poor areas is counterproductive. will start to wholly embrace it. yet it’s unnecessary for third-world global change also needs investment. countries to follow the exact steps My advice: invest in young individuals. for industrialization once followed by in the Emperor’s New Clothes, only the the united states. things shouldn’t be youngest child was willing to say the People can thought about so narrowly. everyone emperor was undressed. the honesty should work toward one goal—energy and insightfulness of youth will progress be inventors equality—and take individualized, society. invest in fve-year-olds, not to without having a necessary steps to get there. cure cancer, but to inspire them, so they believe they can. that way, at age 15, doctorate, a degree the truth is, the poverty known in the they will. united states compared to the poverty known abroad is vastly different. in Like most social entrepreneurs, i don’t of any kind, or even a syrian refugee camps in Jordan, for just have far-reaching hopes for the traditional education. instance, people were literally taken from company. i dream of a better world. in their homes, a situation beyond poverty. the developing world, i work every day the children felt lost. equally unsettling, for greater energy equality. setting up in tanzania at Mbezi Beach, there are huge, expensive systems in resource-

Fall 2013 | 11 huge mansions with shanties in harsh The SOCCKET As the co-founder and chief executive offcer juxtaposition located right next door. of Uncharted Play, Inc., Matthews drives the creative vision of an award-winning social six kids, their parents, and all of their represents a enterprise which inspires people to lead chickens might live in a 75-square-foot playful lives. Matthews is a recipient of the home with no water, no restroom, and visualization of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Next barely any food. yet in lands of so much Generation Award (2013) and was named hard-to-conceptualize as one of Black Enterprise’s “40 Under adversity and hostility, there is a cheerful 40 Next Generation of Women in Power ” constant: everybody plays. Play brings notion of energy. In (2012). Other accolades include being people something in their day-to-day named Scientist of the Year by the Harvard lives that is impossible to fabricate. it is so Foundation (2012), one of the “10 Most truth, energy, whether Powerful Women Entrepreneurs” by Fortune authentic and beautiful. the soccKet— (2011), and Next Generation Breakthrough and one day, our other products—have present or not, is a Innovator by Popular Mechanics (2010). She the potential to address the world’s ills in was also invited by President Barack Obama a way that amplifes this joy. tangible thing. to the White House to represent small companies for the signing of the America it is vital to expand beyond the Invents Act 2012. changed right before me. since then, soccKet due to differing cultural needs Matthews research and career centers and customs. in many Muslim countries, my eyes have opened to the synergistic around disruptive technology, consumer girls cannot play outside past age 12. effects of play and utility combined. i am behavior, and social psychology. A dual thrilled other people see that too. citizen of Nigeria and the U.S., Matthews has with the jump rope we’ve developed, a degree in psychology and economics from these kids will be able to have fun yet success is not just about having Harvard College, and is currently working indoors and not be at an energy respected people in my industry and toward her MBA at Harvard Business School. disadvantage. tailoring to the diverse community say something good about t www.unchartedplay.com interests and needs of places overseas uncharted Play. to measure success, will allow a multitude of kids to say i need to examine my abilities and “how does this work?” thus sparking contemplate whether i am satisfed an important inquisitiveness toward and happy with my impact. i don’t t www.dmacc.edu/ciweek science and technology. feel like our company is a success yet. to accomplish our many goals in the to overcome the hurdles between developing world, we need the help uncharted Play and “success,” it is of those in the developed world. as a necessary to problem-solve. to do that, for-proft company, we won’t simply i get a pen and paper and think. i watch be an afterthought. we can be an people outside for inspiration. i research. effcient and productive business that i prime my mind. i refuse to get designs innovative products to keep discouraged easily. the more problems our company alive. i am proud to create our team solves in unique and creative items people genuinely want. i want to ways, the closer to success we will be. squash the misconception that non- i started uncharted Play to further a profts versus for-profts equate to a mission. My biggest tool in doing so dichotomy as huge as that of Mother might surprise you. to me, there is no teresa and Bernie Madoff, with no instrument better than laughter to bring middle ground. we can do well and do me closer to the values and culture of good at the same time. my vision for uncharted Play: happiness, i am proud others have seen our vision. bravery, authenticity, honesty, and recently, in tanzania, President Barack sustainability. without fnding humor obama endorsed our product. it is an daily, i could not create a tone in the honor that President obama believes company of positivity, empathy, and we have such a solid level of legitimacy. teamwork. thus, it is so easy for me to it is a promise i have known since we fully love what i am doing. after all, at frst distributed the soccKet in soweto, uncharted Play, work and play are south africa. i saw children’s lives all the same.

12 | ciMagazine The Celebrate! Innovation™ Exhibition: a showcase of American innovation that shapes life as we know it today.

Through a collection of artifacts, visuals and digital video, visitors see frsthand how motivated people can solve a variety of everyday problems through creative and innovative thinking. For more information about this free, inspiring experience, go to www.dmacc.edu/ci.

t www.dmacc.edu/ci 800-362-2127 | www.dmacc.edu/west Fall 2013 | 13 Free TO THE PUBLIC

ciWeek 2014

www.dmacc.edu/ci u

14 | ciMagazine 2014 Keynote sPeaKers

CaPt. eugene a. Cernan, PhiL hansen grant iMahara usn (ret.) Phil Hansen is a multimedia artist who One of the hosts of Discovery Channel’s During 20 years as a naval aviator, works at the intersection of traditional Mythbusters, Grant Imahara blends including 13 years with the National visual art, pointillism, and offbeat science and fun while putting urban Aeronautics and Space Administration techniques. He is most widely known for legends to the test, sometimes with (NASA), Captain Eugene A. Cernan left his meta-art and creation process videos explosive results. Before Mythbusters, his mark on history with three historic that show millions art is action, not Imahara spent 9 years in special missions in space as the pilot of Gemini just result. His work has been featured effects as an animatronics engineer IX, the Lunar Module pilot of Apollo X, on the Discovery Channel, CNN, CBS, and modelmaker for George Lucas’ and the commander of Apollo XVII. Good Morning America, the Rachael Ray Industrial Light and Magic. He worked on Show, Last Call with Carson Daly, and numerous blockbusters including In December 2007, the National other media venues. He has worked on The Matrix sequels, Galaxy Quest, Aeronautic Association recognized a variety of TV and Internet campaigns Terminator 3, and Star Wars: Episodes 1-3 Captain Cernan with the prestigious including the GRAMMY Awards, Skype, (although he is NOT responsible Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. He Diesel, and Arby’s. Hansen is also the for Jar Jar). also authored the 1999 book, The Last author of Tattoo a Banana and Other Man on the Moon. Ways to Turn Anything and Everything into Art. MARCH 3–6 PresenTed by:

West Des Moines

Fall 2013 | 15 For Technology. For Shopping & Dining. For Finance & Insurance.

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA www.positionedperfectly.com The “To Do List” found in Anthony Paustian’s planner. Used with permission. BOOZE, SEX, & MONEY A Method to Focus and Improve By Dr. anthony Paustian the Quality of Your Work

If you’re like most people, odds are you’re swamped, so much to do and so little time to do it. We wade through our days trying to balance ever-growing responsibilities, which, if done simultaneously, enables us to feel more productive. We call this “multitasking,” and many believe the better we are at it, the more effective and efficient we will be. We tend to view multitasking as a positive, frequently sought-after attribute. In fact, as many of you read this, you’re also likely responding to text messages, watching the news, eating lunch, reading the paper, and planning the rest of your day.

Fall 2013 | 17 Illustration of mulitasking by Michael Paustian. Used with permission. however, to truly multitask is a myth. task, you think you’re actually paying sure, you can chew gum while walking, attention to everything around you at listen to music while vacuuming, eat Sure, you can chew the same time. But you’re actually not.” lunch while reading, or fold laundry gum while walking, there are several reasons for this, but while talking on the phone. But one is that similar tasks compete to these activities don’t require higher- listen to music while use the same parts of the brain. For order, problem-solving skills or much example, talking on the phone and brainpower of any kind. vacuuming, eat lunch writing an email are nearly impossible Psychologists who have long-studied while reading, or fold to do concurrently because of what the concept of multitasking have found neuroscientists call “interference.”1 Both the brain is unable to focus on more laundry while talking tasks involve communication skills and than one thing at a time. when people contend for similar space in the brain. multitask, they actually shift their on the phone. But Multitasking doesn’t make us more attention from one thing to another at these activities don’t productive; in fact, the quality of our fast speeds, and each time they switch effort suffers. focus between tasks, their minds must require higher-order, another major downside to cope with the new information. problem-solving skills multitasking: the negative effect it according to earl Miller, a professor has on our stress levels as we try to of neuroscience at Mit, “People or much brainpower balance a multitude of simultaneous can’t multitask very well, and when activity and feel overwhelmed, drained, people say they can, they’re deluding of any kind. and anxious.2 themselves . . . switching from task to

18 | ciMagazine 2. Find a sweet spot Like many, i spend the bulk of my life in some unproductive locations. whether it’s my offce at work, my offce at home, or my home in general, these locations can be ground zero for dealing with a constant stream of distractions. to remain truly focused and productive during the time i set aside, i must work away from the normal, daily distractions at a secondary location where i feel creative and energized. For me, those places involve local restaurants and vacation spots. i wrote my entire doctoral dissertation at applebee’s, my frst book at chili’s, and my most recent book, Beware the Purple People Eaters: A Personal Look at Leadership, at subway (and most of the planning, outlining, and researching for that book was done poolside in Las Vegas). For whatever reason, these places allow me to be focused, energized, and creative. Find your place(s). Go there eVery time you set aside time to focus (as i write this, i’m sitting at subway). One of my favorite sweet spots is the paris pool in Las Vegas. Used with permission. 3. go off-grid therefore, to do anything of quality The Art of Singletasking Like an addict goes to rehab to cut off and signifcance, proactively schedule although i can’t claim to be a model of access to addictions, productivity needs time (even if in short amounts) when effciency (i too get sucked into the false to be cut off from distractions. even you will work on onLy one task and hope of multitasking), i have learned if you set aside time and go to your nothing else. to write this piece, i had how to effectively maximize my efforts sweet spot, it won’t work unless you to schedule four hours on a sunday and accomplish large tasks and projects. unplug and disconnect. i’m convinced afternoon when i would do nothinG time is fnite, and we all have the same distractions will follow. the phone except write. i made sure i let the amount of it (24 hours per day/7 days will ring, text messages will appear, dog out, i took care of my physical per week). in order to maximize my and emails will arrive, all of which needs, and i placed a beverage by my productivity, i adopted three strategies are huge temptations screaming for side prior to beginning. During those that greatly impact not only the number attention. and, like most addicts, we four hours, i did nothing else. i have of positive outcomes i can accomplish, will be frequently unable to resist these employed this strategy for virtually but also the quality of my work. distractions. (speaking of distractions, every task of signifcance whether was it the title of this article that writing a book, designing a project, caused you to read it?) turn off the 1. set aside time preparing a presentation, or creating a smartphone. Disconnect the laptop. it’s human nature to deal with things as strategic plan. not only am was i able short of an emergency or crisis (which they occur. our days have a tendency to accomplish each, but i’m also certain seldom happen), everything can wait. to fll on their own; as a result, we fnd the quality of my work signifcantly even Bill Gates, during the hectic growth ourselves constantly “putting out fres,” improved because i remained focused. thus becoming regularly distracted by period of Microsoft in the 1980s and the constant change in events. 90s, realized this. each year, he would set aside time to relax, disconnect, and use time alone to read and think.3 Fall 2013 | 19 these three simple actions have a current technology demands an entirely huge positive effect not only on my new context; one where expectations of productivity, but also on the quality Like an addict goes “instant” are now the norm (be honest, of my work. they allow me to focus to rehab to cut off when you send a text message or leave intently for scheduled blocks of time a voicemail, how long are you willing while putting my best efforts toward access to addictions, to wait for a response before feeling the desired task. although they might frustrated . . . even a little?), one where be simple in concept, they aren’t always productivity needs people spend less time thinking through simple to do. they require discipline their days to maximize productivity and, most of all, frequent practice. start to be cut off from (since most things can now be done by creating a routine and setting aside distractions. Even if on the fy), and one where the need small amounts of time. you might be for interpersonal skills between actual shocked at what you can accomplish you set aside time and people continues to diminish as a larger during only 30 minutes a day when percentage of our communication highly focused. go to your sweet spot, it is virtual. won’t work unless you this change in context (especially for @ the Speed of Life younger generations who know nothing unplug and disconnect. else) combined with the ubiquity although i believe singletasking is an of personal electronics resulted in ideal method to improve the quality of the lack of available, personal daily expectations of immediacy and our work, perhaps i should be asking technology resulted in a slower life; one convenience. ultimately, we do more why we try to multitask in the frst that required a higher level of patience in less time, and thus create—and place. where did this current notion of (since communication was seldom perpetuate—the myth of multitasking. cramming as much as possible into one ever instant), greater planning and unfortunately, while technology has day come from? coordination (since longer lead times defnitely become more capable, our i believe the answers can be found by had to be built into nearly everything), minds still work basically the same. to looking at two distinct yet interrelated and better interpersonal skills (since do your best work, singletask. aspects of everyday life: technology and most people were required to relate on our level of happiness. a more personal level). when i was in high school, personal computers were in their infancy. way too expensive for the vast majority, Pcs with any real power to be productive were only found at the corporate level. some high schools and colleges were beginning to use them, but for the most part, the average person still had little to no personal contact with a computer. cell phones didn’t yet exist, let alone anything remotely resembling today’s power-packed smartphones. in other words, by today’s standards, people were pretty disconnected. to communicate, you either made a call from a bulky telephone (plugged into a wall jack), talked face-to-face, or sent letters.

When I was young, “mobility” was defned by the length of the handset cords on our rotary telephones. Used with permission.

20 | ciMagazine if getting older has taught me anything, it’s that time is fnite. there’s never enough. i’m amazed at the growing Slow down. frequency of what i call “time-lapse realizations” that occur the moment i accomplish some goal or objective. happiness, on the other hand, is an while i’m happy i achieved what i set entirely different discussion. humans out to do, a sudden realization often have always strived to be happy, and follows that getting there came at the tendency has been to try and use great expense. a feeling of emptiness whatever we have at our disposal to often overtakes me, as if i had been achieve happiness. whether through transported into the future with little status, stuff, or other people (or, in memory of the daily joys from the actual some cases, booze, sex or money), we act of doing. i realize how fast time have a desire to feel valuable in both raced by, and because i was so goal- our own eyes as well as the eyes of oriented, i was unable to fully enjoy the Dr. Anthony Paustian is the author of Beware others. For many, happiness frequently experiences related to the process. the Purple People Eaters: A Personal Look at revolves around how busy we are as Leadership and the Provost of the DMACC i’ve now come to embrace that West Campus. “busy-ness” implies productivity, which happiness is a choice, and there’s implies striving toward a better or t www.adpaustian.com nothing tangible that can “make” me different life in the future. and if we are happy in the long-term. no matter what not busy cramming all that we can into we work toward or feel like we must the shortest amount of time possible, have, typically the happiness attached we assume we are failing ourselves and to it is only short-term. “hedonic t www.dmacc.edu/ciweek falling short of our dreams. adaptation” is a psychologist’s way of this approach tends to be totally saying the novelty wears off. eventually, future-focused, which isn’t necessarily that new house or car or smart tV you bad, except we can easily miss the joys saved for becomes just another thing ©2013 Anthony Paustian. Used with permission. and value found in the now. too often, you own, or the job you worked so hard All rights reserved. many of us feel like our lives are out of to get becomes just part of your daily references: control, and sometimes, we can only see grind. your lifestyle adapts, and you’re the present just after it has become the back to wanting more.4 1. hamilton, J. (2008, october 2). Think You’re Multitasking? Think Again. retrieved May 9, 2013, past. we may frequently fnd ourselves slow down. enjoy the moments of from the national Public radio website: www.npr.org/ absent from the moment as any one of templates/story/story.php?storyid=95256794 each day. Focus on one thing at a great number of distractions pulls our 2. Multitasking: Can It Help You Get More Done? time. singletask, and the memories attention in a variety of directions. retrieved May 9, 2013, from the Mind tools website: will stay with you. even better, they’re www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newhte_75.htm

adaptation-proof. 3. cringely, r. (screenplay/story). (1996). triumph of the Nerds [Documentary]. united states: Public Broadcasting service.

4. how to buy happiness. (2013, april). Fast Company, 25.

Fall 2013 | 21 The future starts here. Don Short standing by the main entrance of West End Architectural Salvage. Used with permission. FROM TAG SALE TO TV SHOW: Creativity Thrives at By Denise Linn West End Architectural Salvage

The crew at West End Salvage is a mix of ages and skill-sets, each with unique talent to add to the brewing pot that simmers within the business. Like Mulligan stew, each project becomes richer as it cooks. West End Architectural Salvage occupies a four-story, 50,000-square-foot building on 9th Street in downtown Des Moines. Once home to a grocery warehouse, the space is filled with everything from repurposed jewelry made from old typewriter keys to doorknobs and dining room tables.

Fall 2013 | 23 Keeping a fresh, unconventional edge to this unique retail experience is the recipe that is never perfected, for just when the favors seem to peak, a new trend forces adjustment.

once completed in the workshop, a project’s next stop is fnishing. it’s not a straightforward step in the progression to the fnal piece. often asked to recreate amazing designs in stain and paint from magazine photos, the fnishing team earns its stripes in trial-and-error. their expertise is second-to-none as they craft the fnishing touches to make each piece a work of art. included in their skills are Exterior of West End Architectural Salvage. Used with permission. techniques for custom-blended stains and special painting effects. a close a tour of the basement workshop a work of art; no two are exactly alike. eye for detail prevents the slightest drip introduces a small group of music- the patterns he creates unfold gradually or imperfection. on most weekends, loving maestros who pour their metal as he pounds each puzzle piece into visitors will get a front-row seat to and woodworking talents into projects place, exposing beauty and bringing observe the transformation in the designed by owner Don short. whether the project to life. fnishing area. creating a dining buffet from raw barn From the torch room, a continuous wood or adding drawers to an antique without dedicated “pickers,” it would supply of table bases fows. each base credenza, the wood artisans enjoy be a constant struggle to self-source is custom-made to the client’s exact meeting a client’s special requirements. the array of items most popular at dimensions specifed on Don short’s the artisans handpick their materials west end architectural salvage. pencil sketch. the pair of metalworking from a constant supply of newly several individuals and teams scour geniuses cranks out D-art stands, reclaimed wood from area barns the countryside to locate unique wares. stools, and chairs fashioned from old and sheds. extra salvage resources abound as church pews as well as the one-of-the- daily phone calls and emails spill in other members of the workshop team kind requests they feld regularly. they with opportunities to acquire almost include a guy who devotes his day to restore things like a vintage stagecoach anything. imagine the constant creating various-sized frames for tin door that needs metal bars in the door’s challenge presented in merchandising ceiling tiles to display as wall art and window frame or an old auger shaft that a conveyor belt of rustic goods as they another artisan who cuts old copper will support a 30-million-year-old stone make their way from picker’s trailer to boilers and tin tiles into patchwork, fossil tabletop. thrilled buyer. once again, the creative quilt-like pieces. each patchwork is truly process is illumined as gifted designers 24 | ciMagazine Sampling of tin wall art. Used with permission.

fashion themed vignettes that spark transit. holding a constant eye on the a client’s imagination. Grouped by front-counter, they bounce from manual Having accumulated similar color or era, the harmony of labor to customer service with ease. the display grabs the intent focus of it’s diffcult to capture a 360-degree a visitor on a mission to fnd the right an array of cool, old perspective on the creative spirit item. other groupings juxtapose pieces that drives the success of west end architectural fnds with absolutely no relationship, spurring architectural salvage. Keeping a fresh, curious looks from passersby. over two decades, unconventional edge to this unique ensuring a clear path for visitors to retail experience is the recipe that is Short had been—and pass through each of the four foors never perfected, for just when the keeps the design team hopping seven favors seem to peak, a new trend forces continues to be— days a week, as west end architectural adjustment. some ingredients never steeped in creative salvage only closes a few holidays a change: focusing on the customer’s year. Given that inventory can arrive in experience and enjoyment; building a juices, inspired by multiple truckloads and occasionally team of talented, fexible, dedicated leave by the truckload, the single employees; and staying one step ahead the artisanship of a freight elevator is an essential fxture for of the game. the main ingredient, moving goods to and from upper foors. though, is Don short. bygone era. teams of employees lend their muscles whoever said “out with the old, in to move, protect, and pack items for with the new” set short’s destiny on Fall 2013 | 25 Other members of the workshop team include a guy who devotes his day to creating various-sized frames for tin ceiling tiles to display as wall art and another artisan who cuts old copper boilers and tin tiles into patchwork, quilt-like pieces.

The staff of West End Architectural Salvage reviews a new design. Used with permission. its path. another man’s junk is truly unwieldy that he scheduled a two- the four foors that house the eclectic short’s treasure. his unique intersection weekend tag sale that spawned a new collection of antiques, collectibles, of experiences prepared him for the enterprise: west end architectural and architectural remnants. with the success he enjoys today. his family salvage. short explains, “it really wasn’t immense square footage of the shop owns taylor’s Maid-rite in Marshalltown, my original plan to start a business, but and a liquor license in place, it became iowa. he moved there to work at the we were so busy we just kept open on a natural spot to host corporate restaurant in 1985 after graduating from the weekends, and it exploded.” events, showers, weddings, receptions, the university of north Dakota. Blessed fundraisers, and public gatherings. From having accumulated an array of cool, with boundless energy, Don flled his the workshop, fnished custom pieces old architectural fnds over two decades, off-hours remodeling and restoring 14 now reside temporarily in the dock area, short had been—and continues to be— Marshalltown homes—including the the same space that gives way to a steeped in creative juices, inspired by 10,000-square-foot willard Mansion. he dance foor, which easily becomes the the artisanship of a bygone era. what lived in the home, eventually opening main attraction for wedding celebrations. distinguishes short’s treasure trove from up some areas to host local events and fnds in Grandma and Grandpa’s attic? yet after seven years of business, sales, receptions. “i had always been involved sheer entrepreneurial spirit and an eye and hosting, west end architectural in restoring properties and running for design. his keen sense of home salvage still operates without paid restaurants, so it was a natural ft,” furnishing trends adds to the equation. advertising. short states, “we’ve always says short. relied on word-of-mouth to bring short quickly added a coffeeshop to the in 2004, short switched from Maid- our business through the doors.” he main foor of west end architectural rite to home restoration in Des Moines. adds, “of course, having a reality tV salvage, encouraging each patron to eventually, the volume of remnants show hasn’t hurt either!” one of Des grab a coffee or beer while perusing from his remodeling jobs became so Moines’ best-kept secrets burst onto 26 | ciMagazine Born and raised in Wright County, IA, Denise Linn grew up on a century-old, family farm where pitching in and getting dirty weren’t optional. Following graduation from Eagle Grove High School, she attended Iowa Central Community College and completed her studies in business at Iowa State University. She spent nearly 20 years in commercial real estate in Des Moines, working in various capacities of research, marketing, and development activities before landing at West End Architectural Salvage to enjoy the free-spirited creativity.

t www.westendsalvage.com

Guests enjoy an event at the warehouse. Used with permission. t www.dmacc.edu/ciweek the national scene in February 2013 return with a friend or two in tow.” when the shop premiered its reality tV short’s generous spirit is evident with series by the same name on the hGtV his support of community nonprofts network. now embracing a nationwide facing the challenge of fundraising. following, west end architectural these nonproft events hold frequent salvage enjoys recognition and daily spots on the west end architectural visits from its fans across the country. salvage calendar, as the business offers so, what prompted infuential media a distinctive venue. there is plenty of executives to make west end space to display donated auction items, architectural salvage a stop as they and ample room for patrons to view the crisscrossed the country? Flash to items and enjoy the synergy of a like- an episode of the D-art contest—a minded purpose. creative challenge between short west end architectural salvage has and the team in the workshop to earned the trust of many professional take diverse pieces of anything in designers who source items for their the building and assemble them commercial projects. a steady stream artistically into coffee-table art. imagine of work fows from the orders of a old foundry molds, barn pulleys, designer featured in one of the hGtV pressure gauges, and gears balanced show’s episodes in which a vintage car precariously on a simple metal stand. door was encased in a wooden frame to the show captures the true camaraderie protect the curious from sharp edges. and creativity that converge within the piece became a functional memory- west end architectural salvage’s walls queue for a dementia care facility. old to make this environment a must-see. wooden shafts from decommissioned armed with wicked wit and a sincere pipe organs are grouped together in interest in people, short is quick to assorted heights to create sculpture for establish a bond with visitors who soon residents’ interest. the list of noteworthy feel like lifelong friends. he sets the bar designs for memory stimulation high and expects employees to rise to remains endless in a place like west end it: “it’s about establishing an immediate architectural salvage. comfort zone for visitors, helping them fnd whatever it is that brought them to us, and instilling a burning desire to

Fall 2013 | 27 WE BUILD. DREAM. GROW. INNOVATE. WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

IN PURSUIT OF BUILDING PERFECTION.

5959 Village View, Suite 100 | West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 | 515.698.4400 Future Cinema. Used with permission.

IMMERSION IN EVERYTHING: An Interview with John Gaeta

John Gaeta is best known for his work as the visual effects designer for The Matrix Trilogy. After speaking at ciWeek 2013, Gaeta expressed his appreciation for the DMACC West philosophy: “I think the kids are lucky to get to experience being there. I hope they get the type of education you can’t get from textbooks, which is advice about how life works and to take it seriously.” In a follow-up interview, he and Dr. Anthony Paustian, DMACC West Campus Provost, talked about Gaeta’s creative process.

Fall 2013 | 29 John Gaeta oversees a panoramic stills shoot. Used with permission.

Most children don’t dream of becoming Looking back on your education and that, to me, is what changed my life. i visual effects designers. What drove life experiences, what infuenced you discovered a completely different point you to specialize in this area? the most? of view about the future of movies. it was not a purposeful choice, although it has a lot to do with the people you trumbull’s philosophy was about the i knew i wanted to pursue flm. in meet along the journey and creating experience as much as anything else. high school, i liked photography and good relationships that you follow he loved the story, as we all did, but he theater, so i thought that would be an and nurture. in my case, i met people was also focused on trying to create area i could excel at. i wanted to tell who were doing interesting things a high-fdelity, immersive experience, stories and create imagery, but i didn’t with music videos and such. they got really focused on the concepts of know much more than that. it was my an opportunity to work with a man virtual reality. he did this flm Brain experiences at nyu that led me to named Douglas trumbull, who for Storm about that topic. i sit here understand there were a lot of creative some time was equal to George Lucas today squarely pointed at a future of avenues i had not originally thought in innovation in flm, graphics, and new augmented reality. Virtual reality—and of. i met many people in the sort of movie formats. these friends heard immersive media experiences of all secretive stage-labs of new york city, he was setting up a secret studio in sorts—is the direction i am heading now. where i became intrigued by the highly western Massachusetts, with the most creative photography and early stages modern bits of technology, to create What inspires you to create of computer graphics artists were a new type of movie he called a “ride and innovate? pursuing. i met a number of people who Film.” he was experimenting with i am highly infuenced by other artists’ were bouncing between special effects simulation rides, where you could sit works. i believe art works in movements, and other things. some were friends in a motion simulator, like you would and artists are inspired by one another, with Peter Gabriel at the time and were in aeronautics and pilot training. what that they sort of evolve and refect one working on his music videos. others trumbull wanted to do was make another. you see branches of people were working with Saturday Night Live. these flms at the highest fdelity leading, doing something original, which i was able to sort of bounce between and quality to allow viewers to go to becomes more compelling to explore. their collective groups, which gave me a fantasy places and not just fy over i follow online galleries avidly. i go to more rounded experience. landscapes. all of the sudden, i noticed see art occasionally. i also spend a lot my artist friends heading to western of time observing ordinary people and Massachusetts, so i followed them. everyday life; that is a great inspiration 30 | ciMagazine of mine. Lastly, i would say sound. they produce innovative comedy in an sound and music are very important to If you are allowed to innovative way. what Saturday Night me while i’m trying to be creative. Live doesn’t offer is a super high-fdelity explore and look for set and quality photography; it can’t do What advice do you have for others that because of the speed needed to who want to follow your path? What something new, then crank out the show. what it is, though, are three things that someone should is a great experience. they measure out do or not do in this business? the discovery process is what they can and cannot do in a week, well, i’m not the ceo of Facebook, and that is what’s going on right now, which might be the path some would probably the most fun particularly where i am in silicon Valley. prefer. i had a kind of wild and windy and exciting of all. companies here are very much focused path, one that to some degree, i have on rapid prototyping ideas. trying them chosen because of my curiosity. there out, sketching them up, pitching them are things to do and not to do. one, out, even prototyping them out, as fast be curious and observant. always as they possibly can to see what catches. search for emerging things. two, absolutely helps, but sometimes it will sometimes, people get hung up on spend time investigating what other crush you, so you need to be politically a singular focus for years before they people are doing around the world. i aware and develop a radar. every realize it’s not in sync with an audience, would defnitely suggest taking risks environment and every situation in your and they lose time. when i worked on —at properly timed moments. there entire career has its own form of social SNL, i didn’t really think about rapid are times to be practical and a good and political dynamics. you need to be prototype; it was just something fun to supporter of other people, and there are a careful observer of the lay of the land do. today, though, much entertainment times to take chances to show others as you navigate; otherwise, you could comes out of real-time graphics and what you can do and who you are, stumble and fnd you have invested a even app-based innovations, which and you need to understand when the lot of time, maybe for nothing. that’s requires the ability to give the audience timing is right. it’s hard to explain, but a big one. a lot of kids fall into that a rapid experience. there is a rhythm that exists, a rhythm trap. sometimes, they feel entitled to of when to take risks and when to be a get somewhere faster than they do, one big debate seems to be where to driven supporter. the third thing i but they need to earn their way. they draw the line between real footage would suggest is to identify with others also need to be aware the world is and digital effects. how do you fnd a and seek them out; don’t sit on the side neither benevolent nor completely evil. balance between the two? and say, “well, i’ll try to fnd my own you need to understand the political it’s a matter of logistics. sometimes, it’s version . . .” take a chance and try to get and social landscape before you start not possible to mount something real involved with something you fnd great asserting yourself. within the scope of a large flm. indie and inspiring . . . like literally go there. if flms can do it because crews are smaller, you don’t succeed, that’s fne; you tried. i read that you actually started as an assistant for Saturday Night Live. What and footprints and expenses are smaller. i mention this to students every now insights did working at SNL give you, if on a big movie, you can burn through and then: internships can be an amazing any, into what you do today? hundreds of thousands of dollars a day vehicle to get into a career track fast on a stage or location. Locations can the funny thing about Saturday Night because you are offering yourself for cause lots of problems because you can’t Live is whatever their formula is, it has free. there are some logistics involved, control things like weather, light, the sun, proven the test of time, hasn’t it? it is but you still are helpful to a company and so forth. there is a lot of risk if the about improvisation to some degree, that needs to watch its bottom line location doesn’t turn out to be friendly, rapid prototyping of comedy, and yet get as much extra help as it can. so sometimes people stay inside with little story experiences, and it’s about internships provide opportunities to go stages where they can control everything how to be really creative in a short precisely to the place you want to be and, if needed, shoot for 24 hours a day. amount of time. weekly, they are able and see if they’ll take you. and it’s true that’s why movies have become more to create scripts and scenarios where outside, after school too, that you don’t expensive; the risk is just too large. they take great talent and new talent, settle for second best until you have to. and cook this formula quickly, put on with indie flms or even just something try to go to where you want, as quickly a live broadcast to millions, and pull it small, there’s no reason not to go as you can. things to avoid: not being off, week after week after week. SNL on location. at that point, it’s more sensitive to other people’s goals and represents the ability to rapid prototype what the script needs. if the script displaying arrogance or ego when not and channel brilliant entertainment. demands something fantastic, well, appropriate. sometimes, displaying ego FallFall 20132013 || 3231 that’s a different matter. But if it’s just passively at the audience (which can mobile devices, and through glasses, a pragmatic decision, a smaller flm be a fantastic experience, don’t get and the talent involved in each of these should try to use real locations because me wrong), augmented reality has the areas will crisscross. what’s fun is the the production value will be richer. potential to allow people to become co-mingling between science and immersed in content and participate science fction; science in entertainment it’s easy to see innovation is important in the experience. the outcome is is cool. you can navigate back and forth to you. Do you innovate to push your unpredictable. sometimes, it may be between science and entertainment imagination, or do you innovate as a cheesy, pre-canned, and commercial, when you are talking about visualization. process to tackle your current projects? but then there is going to be some so we need to master these Both. these days, i tend to be driven breakthrough stuff. there will be the technologies, which could range from by trying to create a new experience. Citizen Kane of augmented reality. some something primitive to something that’s i do feel like it is diffcult to get that in people are still waiting for the Citizen completely realistic and immersive, like flms lately because there is a certain Kane of gaming, and i believe it is close, being in a fantasy world meeting Avatar redundancy of grandeur going on but augmented reality will be closer. characters or understanding what the in big blockbuster movies. But if the and i am much more interested in the landscape of afghanistan looks like audience doesn’t feel like the experience potential of that, a new audience, still from a simulator in nevada. there is so is original and great, i don’t want to open-minded, not overexposed. much cool stuff going on. simulation and invest in the immense amount of work visualization offer many avenues to an For example, when i was working it takes. if they feel like, “oh this movie artist or engineer. on Jupiter Ascending, i had a lot of is similar to this movie and that movie,” collaborative and creative freedom. i then it’s just a job. and it’s a diffcult job tell us about FLoat, the company enjoyed myself. these types of directors to have, to never see family and friends you created. are not making normal or factory because of the travel and the ridiculous after Speed Racer, i took a break from movies, but really bizarre ones, so hours. if the audience becomes the flm industry, and a number of the experience is unpredictable and oversaturated with that kind of content, friends from flm had gotten into the satisfying. Most movies are commercial then i personally want to pursue a new technology sector by way of the game and formulaic, which makes the format where the experiences can industry. so, they got into high-level experience just a job. be appreciated. while i am working research and development labs at on movies and designing ideas, i am What do you fnd more exciting: the companies like electronic arts, then even more motivated to make a mark discovery or the use of new visual effects left there for apple, Microsoft, Google, in augmented reality because it is like techniques in flms and other media? and places like that around here in the resetting the clocks on visual effects. Bay area. i had been getting bored with Discovery. if you are allowed to explore movies, and some former associates the augmented reality platform shows and look for something new, then asked if i wanted to get involved with great potential even though i deal with the discovery process is probably the new types of interfaces. they called almost the same set of problems and most fun and exciting of all. it’s the them “human interfaces,” and nobody goals as those in visual effects. you prototyping process. once you arrive at knew exactly what that meant. if you want to combine real-world footage something unique, which requires a lot follow what is going on with smart and with elements not from that world, of skill, it’s a different type of experience. sensor technologies, you know there are whether it’s computer graphics or some people enjoy the application a lot of inputs, such as various machine- otherwise. the desire to blend content part, so i am not disparaging it, but i vision-type of technologies, that people in stylistic or realistic ways is just the personally like the discovery part. are trying to utilize to drive content and beginning of compositing computer data. almost anything can be a driver graphics; there is a long road ahead to i read you are interested in hybrid of a content experience, and content include not just objects but characters, entertainment. What is hybrid doesn’t have to be entertainment; it places, and props seamlessly. to me, entertainment, and what do you can be anything such as visualization. augmented reality is the most exciting hope to achieve in this area? i had a friend who called and said, “i’m platform and one that directly leverages there are some convergences between the creative director of a secret lab at what has been learned from visual gaming technology innovations, flm Microsoft, and what we are trying to effects except we are at the beginning graphics, and photography that will show do is change the entire paradigm of again; it’s a reset. it’s a very interesting up across the next three to fve years. i interacting with your computer. we one because the goals are going to be think there will be a number of new types want to move beyond the mouse and different, more experiential and more of media that will be fun to participate, look at all different types of inputs and based on the audience. rather than a watch, and interact with. these hybrid voice, gesture, and touch. you enjoy singular vision that pushes something experiences can take place on television, 32 | ciMagazine visualization and like prototyping; an array of content and experiences? John Gaeta is an academy award-winning would you be interested in working on all of this could be brought forth at visual effects designer best known for his that?” of course, that sounded cool, their will and instantaneously, in an work on The Matrix flm trilogy, where he advanced the effects methods known as so i formed a company called FLoat intuitive, intelligent, smart way. the “bullet time,” “virtual cinematography,” to work with Microsoft, and this lab in current pursuit of many of these tech and “photo anime.” particular, to try to push the envelope companies is about learning about since working with the wachowski siblings of using sensors on a project now people in their homes, which sounds on The Matrix movies and Speed Racer, known as Kinect (the earliest name creepy, but is for the intent of creating he has been experimenting with motion was Project natal). smart and insightful services for what sensing technology (Kinect) as a way of you want and what you think you want. converging movies and interactive media we tried to fgure out what the average into a more compelling, mind-bending, and person standing before the sensor the notion of artifcial intelligence (ai) unifying experience. might want as any type of content and fake ai is centered around learning in 2009, Gaeta founded a new type of outcome. they were curious about about you, your household, how your development entity called FLoat (hybrid) gaming themes and things like how household works, who likes what when, and serves as acting chief creative offcer. can a character walk around a world, and who is in the room. certainly, FLoat innovates and prototypes compelling walk through complex spaces, pick there are some aspects that could be interfaces between audiences and many up objects, and do things in a virtual misconstrued in a menacing way, and types of media including television, gaming, search, social, and augmented reality. Gaeta space. what does a person standing or i am a person who is very concerned believes that there are threads in today’s most sitting in front of a computer do that about that. still, i am interested on exciting technologies that are leading toward drives these characters through, which sensors and human interfaces from the a fundamental leap forward in the way people seems simple when you have an XBoX point of view of the powerful, creative interact and immerse within all media. controller in your hand, but is highly experience a person can have. Because t www.foathybrid.com / complex, especially when you’re an you can touch your content and interact average person with no knowledge of with your content the way you can’t what you’re supposed to do? how do with your television, which is passive you compel a person to move the right and pushing content at the viewer. way? what kinds of motions should FLoat is a stealth company, if you will, people do? should they wave fags like with confdential projects. outside of t www.dmacc.edu/ciweek they are waving in a boat? or should the spirit of our past work, i can’t be any they do something more expressive more specifc. we have explored various like some sort of echo or analogy to products from game-like experiences to the thing they want to happen? there analytic-like experiences. right now, it’s were other things like how do i move driven by experiences, exploration, a camera in a complex way. what if i and prototyping. wanted, in a scientifc visualization, to i think you are going to see a big bang navigate around by just sitting in front with regard to augmented experiences of a sensor? and then what if i wanted that will begin with a lot of meaningless to start layering commands with my noise. the noise will take some time to voice; how do i let users know they sort through, but eventually you will achieved something or they are close see something so remarkable—the next to their goals? what feedback systems plateau of innovations—in that industry. are needed? But the frst round is going to seem so, FLoat is a company dedicated to typically american in its over consumer- things related to sensors and touch oriented focus to the point where you devices, which grew to looking at the may feel sick, like being spammed whole living room, which has always to death through augmented reality been Microsoft’s goal. how do you glasses. still, i believe that scenario create a connected living room in will be followed by remarkable, new which all people are known in the innovations that will enlighten us to a room, every person with a device is more immersive experience in gaming, connected to everyone else with a industries, movies, education, everything. device, all devices relate to the television set, and the entire grouping relates to

Fall 2013 | 33 ArMY reSerVe GrAdUAte colleGe. then Get An edUcAtion like no other.

did you know the U.S. Army will give you an uninterrupted path to a To learn more, visit college degree? www.goarmy.com/iweek1 or contact an Army Recruiter With the education career Stabilization Program (ecS), the Army at 1-800-USA-ARMY. offers nearly $82,000 in tuition assistance to help you get a degree before you deploy. And as part of the Army reserve, you’ll get an additional education colleges can’t offer, like learning to become physically, mentally and emotionally stronger both as a Soldier and a civilian. it’ s a great way to get ahead in life. catch the details at goarmy.com/reserve or call 1-800-USA- ArM Y.

©2009. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved. Of all the gifts that can be given, the gift of education is perhaps the greatest.

The Des Moines Area Community College Foundation ensures educational excellence through charitable giving. Our vision is to provide every student access to a quality education to pursue opportunities and achieve career dreams.

2013 dMACC FoundATIon HIGHlIGHTs u Allocated more than $620,000 in scholarships to support more than 1,000 dMACC students. u Provided more than $10,000 in emergency assistance to dMACC students. u Assisted 250 adults to achieve their dream of earning a Ged by covering 40% of the testing fees. u raised $155,000 for scholarships through the frst dMACC non-Golf event.

The DMACC Foundation supports the college in areas that are not sustained by taxes, tuition or grants.

Learn how you can make the dream of a college education possible. t www.dMACC.edu/Foundation Fall 2013 | 35 EXPANDING THE MINDS OF OUR FUTURE GRADUATES

p 4732-9-13-2,000 800-362-2127 www.dmacc.edu www.dmacc.edu/west