From Studio to Screen: How IBM Developed a Digital Showcase for Final-Year Students at University of the Arts London
13/07/2020
By Matt Candy
Culture itself is always changing. But in the world of art, there are many constants. Graduate shows from final-year creative arts students are one such constant. The culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice, the final show gives the student often for the first time a space to introduce themselves to the world. For many it's a defining moment in their careers. For all, it is an unforgettable experience.
When COVID-19 disrupted the prospect of graduate shows as we know them, universities like the University of the Arts London (UAL) faced a huge dilemma. Cancellation was not an option. Ranked number two in the world for art and design, UAL brings together six iconic colleges. With close to 7,000 students of art, design, fashion, media and performance planning to put on graduate shows this summer, the University had to find the right solution and fast.
Sir Nigel Carrington, UAL Vice-Chancellor, said: We partnered with IBM as a rapid response to the coronavirus pandemic to create a platform to host the final collections of our graduating students. Now more than ever we need the talent, entrepreneurship, resilience and vision of our creative graduates to reshape our economy and keep our society and culture thriving."
That challenge came to IBM in mid-March, and it was fast-paced: fewer than three months to tear up the rule book and start again on a project UAL would typically spend a year preparing.
Creating a Unique, Compelling Platform
A team of experts from IBM's Global Consumer Industries Center of Competence and IBM iX the business design arm of IBM Services was quickly assembled. Using IBM's learning from projects such as our recent Wimbledon 2020 The Greatest Championships compilation and our work on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the team sketched out concepts. Agile project management then kicked in as the IBM and UAL project teams came together.
Harnessing ideas from as many perspectives as possible from staff to students to industry was central to the project. What everybody quickly understood was that this project was not about technology replicating a live show. The objective was to create a unique platform for students to showcase their work in the most compelling ways for industry, the media and the general public.
The end result is the UAL Graduate Showcase a curated and richly layered digital platform announced today. UAL describes it as a platform hosting the next generation of creative talent from across UAL's six world-leading colleges in one, curated space for the first time in history.
The launch of the platform will be accompanied by an events program, running from July 28 to August 7. But users are not constrained by the transience of a gallery visit or a catwalk show. Visitors can take their time to absorb what's before them, and they can return again and again. Graduates can highlight works for sale, with embedded links to their individual e-commerce platforms.
Works from three of the artists taking part in the UAL Graduate Showcase: At top, "Grenouille" by Julia Sasaki Hernanz, B.A. Costume for Performance, London College of Fashion, UAL; above, "r you happy to be alive" by Yifan He, B.A. Fine Art: Sculpture, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL; and below, "Break the Frame'" by Sophie Huckfield, M.A. Material Futures, Central Saint Martins, UAL. Images courtesy the artists and UAL.
Planning for a Hybrid Future
Behind the new digital platform is state-of-the-art thinking and technology. Our project engagement leader, Joseph Kearins, and his team worked hand in hand with UAL and the colleges in agile sprints. They built the platform using Red Hat OpenShift on the IBM public cloud, providing a solid foundation of open source innovation, security leadership, and enterprise-grade infrastructure. This platform gives UAL the flexibility to access the very latest applications and services without vendor lock-in.
IBM iX harnessed the power of design, data and exponential technologies to quickly create and bring to life an engaging and beautiful digital platform experience.
The UAL Graduate Showcase does not intend to replace physical shows. The world is experiencing a very unusual moment, and UAL plans a return to physical shows as soon as it is safe to do so. Yet, looking ahead, as current world events continue to disrupt regular business operations, it is clear that the current health crisis will have a lasting impact on how we live and work.
UAL will have to tackle whether a hybrid approach with graduate shows will become a necessity in the future not just to cope with post-pandemic safety measures, but to continue to grow as a leading arts institution in the digital age. Hybrid shows, blending physical and virtual experiences more deeply than ever before, could change how future generations of talent are announced to the world, and shape how creators and audiences engage with the arts.
In a world where we are being consistently digitally disrupted, businesses across all industries will now have to enter into a constant innovation stream. They will need to blend strategy, technology and creativity to tackle every challenge. Beyond the creative arts, there are opportunities in many sectors: from education to automotive and beyond. This new approach also holds significant potential for the B2B sector for example, with hybrid trade shows.
Right now, close to 7,000 UAL graduate students are currently putting their work on the UAL Graduate Showcase. The public launch of the platform will take place on July 28, at 18:30 BST (1:30 p.m. ET). It will unveil the newest names in art, design, fashion, creative communications and performance under one roof for the first time ever.
As UAL Chancellor and
Most recent headlines
04/08/2024
Dalet Appoints Santiago Solanas as CEO to Lead Next Era of Growth and Innovation
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, is excited to announce Santiago Solanas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)....
03/06/2024
Dalet and Veritone Reach Agreement to Distribute, Transact and Monetize Media Archives
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, a...
14/05/2024
Gary Heelas Joins TSL as Principal Engineer
LOS ANGELES Gary Heelas has joined TSL as principal engineer in the company's U.S. office, the company announced....
14/05/2024
Gray Television Inks AAPB Deal for Summer Baseball
ATLANTA Gray Television Inc. has announced an agreement to bring select American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) games to free, over-the-air local t...
14/05/2024
Adsmovil Expands Nuestra.TV Distribution
MIAMI, Fla. Adsmovil has expanded access to its free, ad-supported, streaming TV service, Nuestra.TV to include Apple TV, Android TV, Smart TVs, Android media p...
14/05/2024
Roku Lands Exclusive Rights to Package of MLB Games
SAN JOSE, Calif. In another important example of how high-profile sports rights are shifting to streaming, Roku has secured the exclusive multi-year rights for ...
14/05/2024
Arkona Presents a Sneak Peek into the Future of Live Prod...
arkona technologies GmbH, provider of IP core infrastructure solutions for Tier-1 broadcast productions, has announced that it will be supporting its growing gl...
14/05/2024
TAG Teams with Techex at MPTS to Demonstrate Best-of-Bree...
TAG Video Systems, the leader in software-based IP end-to-end workflow monitoring, deep probing, and real-time visualization, has revealed highlights of its MPT...
14/05/2024
Blaze Audio Acquires Cornered Audios Commercial Install L...
Blaze Audio, a Copenhagen-based global leader specialising in pro audio solutions tailored for the installed sound market, has today announced it has acquired t...
14/05/2024
GBICS Offers Exclusive Free Bespoke Samples at MPTS 2024
GBICS, a pioneer in multi-vendor optical networking solutions, announces its presence at the upcoming Media Production and Technology Show (MPTS), happening on ...
14/05/2024
Glensound brings the latest in IP audio to CABSAT 2024
Glensound, industry leader in high quality audio systems, is showcasing the latest additions to its extensive portfolio of networked audio products at CABSAT. A...
14/05/2024
Marshall Cameras Deliver Efficient and Innovative Hybrid...
S&L Integrated Systems, a leader in audio-visual technology solutions, has recently transformed courtroom experiences throughout Georgia and the surrounding reg...
14/05/2024
Broadcast Bionics showcases the future of podcast technol...
Visit UK software company Broadcast Bionics in London this May at the Media Production & Technology Show (MPTS), Olympia London on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 1...
14/05/2024
Miami-Based DJ Creates Unique Mixes in His Studio With KR
Miami-based DJ, Music Producer, and Music Business Entrepreneur Christian Tian Jimenez has always enjoyed making music. From producing and mastering in his ho...
14/05/2024
Rohde and Schwarz showcases operational efficiency at MPT...
Rohde & Schwarz will showcase its media technologies portfolio at the Media Production & Technology Show (stand M40, MPTS, London, 15 16 May) and demonstrate ...
14/05/2024
International OB provider DVB Production in Slovenia is f...
DVB Production, a major supplier of outside broadcast (OB) services in Slovenia and Central Europe, has integrated Calrec's all-IP Argo S audio console and ...
14/05/2024
Custom Consoles Announces Latest-Generation M-Desk Techni...
Custom Consoles will highlight major refinements to its M-Desk Technical HA heavy duty height-adjustable desk workstation on stand J26 at The Media Production &...
14/05/2024
Leader to Highlight Latest Test and Measurement Innovatio...
Leader Electronics Corporation, globally active innovator of broadcast-quality test and measurement instrumentation, will highlight three latest-generation test...
14/05/2024
IBC2024 Primed to Lead Innovation Explore Trends and Fost...
IBC2024 is now open for registration, with the global media and entertainment (M&E) industry set to converge on the RAI Amsterdam on 13-16 September. The event ...
14/05/2024
Vidzemes TV Latvia Expands with PlayBox Neo Channel-in-a-...
Latvian free-to-air broadcaster Vidzemes TV has chosen PlayBox Neo Channel-in-a-Box playout to expand the technical facilities at its studio headquarters in Val...
14/05/2024
Avid Presents - Meet the Sound Team Behind True Detective: Night Country
Avid Presents - Meet the Sound Team Behind True Detective: Night Country Brie Clayton May 13, 2024 0 Comments There's nothing quite like the sound...
14/05/2024
Rethinking Media Archiving with Object Storage
Rethinking Media Archiving with Object Storage Brie Clayton May 13, 2024 0 Comments Media producers today need to maintain online access to all conten...
14/05/2024
Liquid Morphing Motion in After Effects
Liquid Morphing Motion in After Effects Graham Quince May 13, 2024 0 Comments I'm not too sure if it is liquid motion but it's probably the b...
14/05/2024
Why APSC Lenses Might Be All You Need
Why APSC Lenses Might Be All You Need Sean Alami May 13, 2024 0 Comments Exploring the big impact of small sensors: Dive into how APSC lenses offer ci...
14/05/2024
Intelligent Video Effects with Film Impact in Adobe Premiere Pro Transitions
Intelligent Video Effects with Film Impact in Adobe Premiere Pro Transitions Colin Smith May 13, 2024 0 Comments This tutorial is part 2 of a detail...
14/05/2024
Shawne Merriman Turns on Lights Out Sports Streamer
Former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman has soft-launched Lights Out Sports, a free ad-supported sports streaming service....
14/05/2024
Stars Are Back for Upfronts, More Dollars May Follow as Well
Television companies expect this year's upfront to be stronger than last year's....
13/05/2024
Entry opens for EU Award for Investigative Journalism 2024
Journalists from the Western Balkans and T rkiye can now submit their investigative stories published in 2023 for the EU Award for Investigative Journalism 2024...
13/05/2024
Sundance Film Festival: London 2024 Announces Repertory Shorts Programme, Three Repertory Features And Three Public Talks
Tickets on sale now London, 13 May 2024 - Today Picturehouse and the nonprofit ...
13/05/2024
In Their Own Words: Audiobooks To Explore During Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (APIHM), a time to reflect and ...
13/05/2024
Eurovision 2024: Swiss Singer Nemo Took the Crown, but There's More Talent To Celebrate
From C line Dion to ABBA, the Eurovision Song Contest has served as a launchpad ...
13/05/2024
Eurovision delivers strong Total TV audiences for SBS, with more than 2.2 million Australians tuning in
Eurovision delivers strong Total TV audiences for SBS, with more than 2.2 millio...
13/05/2024
L3Harris and Azerbaijan Airlines Advancing Pilot Training Capabilities in the Caspian Sea Region with Cutting-Edge Boeing 787-9 Full Flight Simulator
L3Harris is pleased to announce that it has secured a contract with Azerbaijan A...
13/05/2024
PBS Stations to Gain Access to Nielsen Local Dashboards
ARLINGTON, Va. PBS has received a significant grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to provide PBS Member Stations with Nielsen Local Dashboa...
13/05/2024
IBC2024 Now Open for Registration, Adds New AI Tech Zone
LONDON IBC2024, the broadcast industry's second largest international trade show, is now open for registration. Organizers said exhibition space reservation...
13/05/2024
CNBC: Sinclair Considering Selling Some Broadcast Stations
Sinclair Broadcast Group is reportedly considering selling more than 30% of its broadcast stations according to CNBC....
13/05/2024
Three New Shows on NBC's Fall Schedule
NBC has shared its fall schedule, with three new series set to premiere: Drama Brilliant Minds, with Zachary Quinto; comedy St. Denis Medical, with Wendi McLend...
13/05/2024
Animated Show Housebroken' Will Not Return on Fox
Animated comedy Housebroken will not see season three on Fox. The network said it was pleased with the show's creative, but viewer response wasn't stron...
13/05/2024
Tributes Flow for KTLA Entertainment Reporter Sam Rubin, Dead at 64
Tributes flowed in Hollywood today after KTLA in Los Angeles reported that longtime morning-news entertainment reporter, Sam Rubin, had died Friday at age 64....
13/05/2024
CBS Sports to Use 5G-Connected Cameras to Cover PGA Championship
T-Mobile announced today that it is deploying its 5G Advanced Network Solutions (ANS) to enhance the fan experience as well as CBS Sports' live coverage of ...
13/05/2024
The Film and TV Charity launches fund for Black and Global Majority professionals
Funding will be awarded in three rounds over two years, with applications for th...
13/05/2024
IBC2024 opens for registration and announces new AI tech zone
This years show features an expanded venue including a new AI tech Zone and a second Content Everywhere area By Matthew Corrigan Published: May 13, 2024 T...
13/05/2024
David Loving Named KHOU-KTBU Houston General Manager
David Loving srtarts as president and general manager of KHOU-KTBU Houston May 20. He comes from WOI-KCWI Des Moines, where he was the general manager. Both duo...
13/05/2024
Rick Sallinger, KCNC Denver Reporter, Has Died
Rick Sallinger, KCNC Denver reporter, died of natural causes May 9 in the Denver area. He was 74....
13/05/2024
ABC Renews Idol,' Shark Tank,' Dancing With the Stars,' Others
In advance of its upfront presentation, ABC has renewed American Idol for season eight, The Bachelor for season 29, Celebrity Jeopardy! for season three, Celebr...
13/05/2024
Gordon Ramsay, Fox Launch Bite Food Entertainment Platform
Fox Entertainment and Gordon Ramsay said they have launched Bite, a food brand and entertainment business featuring digital content, live events and consumer pr...
13/05/2024
Doctor Who' Showrunner on What New Doctor Brings to Show
The 15th Doctor in Doctor Who history steps onstage with the show debuting on Disney Plus May 10. It is Ncuti Gatwa, who played Eric Effiong in Sex Education. H...
13/05/2024
Drug Discovery, STAT! NVIDIA, Recursion Speed Pharma R&D With AI Supercomputer
Described as the largest system in the pharmaceutical industry, BioHive-2 at the Salt Lake City headquarters of Recursion debuts today at No. 35, up more than 1...
13/05/2024
SVG Sit-Down: Blackmagic Design's Dan May Explores Addition of Instant-Replay to Davinci Resolve Solution
SVG Sit-Down: Blackmagic Design's Dan May Explores Addition of Instant-Repla...
13/05/2024
For PWHL, Raycom, and Dome, Production of the League's First Season Is More Than Just Covering a Sport
For PWHL, Raycom, and Dome, Production of the League's First Season Is More ...