Looking back

 Throughout the New Media, New Forms class, I have grown significantly as both an artist and an art educator. I am becoming a stronger collaborator and problem solver, with a growing passion for trying new things. By the end of the semester, I had engaged with all of my learning goals. I pushed myself to embrace failure many times—for instance, I worked hard on my circuitry projects, and only two out of three functioned successfully. Nevertheless, I found joy in exploring new media and transforming them into my own artistic expressions.

    My second and third goals were to let materials guide my meaning-making and to explore the limits and possibilities of each material. Throughout the course, I experimented with new media such as scanography and art bots. I began by playing with the materials, and through this process, I learned about their unique characteristics. For example, I discovered that scanography is particularly great at capturing abstract movement. I then used it to depict objects moving in and out of the frame, reflecting themes of family reunion and departure.

Throughout the class, I consistently documented my process. I shared my work on my blog, including detailed descriptions of each project. In my writing, I discussed my inspiration, concepts, material explorations, challenges, successes, and reflections. I connected my work to various artistic vocabularies, such as elements of design, composition, and new techniques like stop-motion animation. With each material, I discovered numerous possibilities, especially in my final projects. I particularly enjoyed the interdisciplinary nature of artmaking, where I could combine different materials cohesively to express my ideas.

Although I encountered many challenges, I persevered. For instance, the art bot project was initially very confusing. I struggled to understand its mechanics and how to make it move. However, after many trials and errors, my partner and I were able to make it work. This experience taught me patience and reinforced my belief that there is always a way to overcome obstacles. Over time, I also became more attentive and intentional in my work, reducing carelessness by thoughtfully engaging in each assignment. I made an effort to align each project with my personal interests, which allowed me to express different aspects of myself through the materials I explored.

More importantly, I discovered the joy of collaboration. During my undergraduate studies, I rarely collaborated with others, but this class pushed me out of my comfort zone. I had an incredibly rewarding experience working with my peers. We built friendships through both challenges and successes, and it was fulfilling to see everyone contribute their strengths to our projects. Collaboration has made me a better communicator and a more confident individual, and I often feel empowered by my peers.

Looking ahead, I see great potential in incorporating new media and digital materials into my future art classroom. Developing these skills can expand students’ artistic repertoires and provide them with new ways to express themselves. As younger generations grow up surrounded by technology, digital art practices are increasingly relevant to their cultural experiences. I aim to engage students in developing critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills through digital media. Ultimately, I hope to foster an open-minded mindset in my students, encouraging them to continue exploring the possibilities of new technologies in their artmaking.