Get to know the Digital Media Commons, and how it can help you

November 6, 2012 – Screens at the Information Desk display student and faculty work during the Digital Media Commons Open House featuring tours, faculty presentations and student demos in the new multimedia workspace.

Northeastern’s Digital Media Commons, located on the second floor of Snell Library, is a dedicated media lab and digital creativity center for students, faculty, and staff.

The space—which is open all day, seven days a week—features flexible media-rich work areas and group study rooms, professional-grade creation technology, high-power computer workstations, printers, and scanners. Students are encouraged to reserve a DMC workstation using the Northeastern University Space Scheduling Online service.

Here’s a rundown of resources and services available to the Northeastern community in the DMC, which is managed by the University Libraries and Information Technology Services:

1) Windows and Apple computers in the DMC offer access to a range of software that supports everything from animation and audio/video editing to game design and 3-D modeling. Here is a list of what software is available at the DMC and other facilities, as well as what students, faculty, and staff can download for free. There are also several black-and-white and color printers.

2) Students, faculty, and staff can reserve the DMC’s audio and video studios to create projects, presentations, and content for online instruction. Faculty can also collaborate with DMC staff to help plan and implement media-based technologies and teach these skills. Check the website for studio hours. Faculty requesting assistance with the creation of online course content should contact Academic Technology Services.

The audio recording studio in the Digital Media Commons. Photo by Brooks Canaday/Northeastern University

The audio recording studio in the Digital Media Commons. Photo by Brooks Canaday/Northeastern University

3) The DMC’s 3-D Printing Studio offers the resources of a full suite of 3-D fabrication and modeling technologies to students, faculty, and staff. Contact Mark Sivak (m.sivak@neu.edu), manager of the 3-D Printing Studio, for more information, instruction, and help.

4) ITS now offers a large-format plotter printing service, located in the Digital Media Commons. Plotters are used to print large-scale images and drawings. Architecture students and faculty beta-tested the service over the summer, and it’s now available for widespread use. Visit the ITS website for more information.

5) Snell Library offers workshops throughout the year that go in depth into how to use many of these high-tech services. 3-D printing workshops include studio basics, as well as seasonally inspired workshops like Halloween pumpkin carving, and holiday cookie cutters. Video studio workshops include camera basics, video lighting basics, and editing basics. Visit the library website for the full schedule.

The 3-D printing studio in the Digital Media Commons. Photo by Mariah Tauger/Northeastern University

The 3-D printing studio in the Digital Media Commons. Photo by Mariah Tauger/Northeastern University