The Digital & Interactive Media Production (DIMP) program at Daytona State College has a new, creative way to incorporate what they learn in their classes into real-life work experiences.
Digimaniacs is a new club created for those in the program who may be struggling with the content or are not sure how to use the equipment and turn that into a skill for their resume. The club welcomes uncertainty and takes it head-on by discussing technology-based topics they may not have understood at first glance.
Olivia Camacho, club president, is graduating in the Fall of 2022 from the DIMP program. Camacho created the itinerary devised for the Fall semester which includes software tutorials, equipment setup and explanation, branding and advertising yourself, and personal critiques.
Each week they will discuss or learn a new skill to help enhance their portfolio and professionalism skills. Camacho aims to ensure that the meetings are equal parts lecture or teaching and discussion and application.
Camacho said she hopes club members will strive to create an image for themselves and carry their brand with them after they graduate. “The club activities are going to be more focused on helping ourselves out with our branding and marketing ourselves.” She continued, “[We are] preparing ourselves to be ready for what to do after the program.”
Their first club project was to take professional headshots of each other, switching in front and behind the camera. They plan to attract real clients on campus to utilize their skills and improve their craft. They offer a multitude of media-related services including taking photos of events at school, designing logos, and even creating video content.
Club member Lauren Lewis is expected to graduate from the DIMP program in the Fall of 2024. “I’m excited to network with other students that are in the program, getting help on projects, and work with new softwares I may not be as familiar with,” she said, describing what she hopes to get out of the club.
Digimaniacs has a goal to foster growth as artists in a safe, positive student environment. By creating DSC content and utilizing their skills while in school, the Maniacs will prove their love of technology.
Bradley Moody, DIMP program associate professor, introduced the Maniacs to Jim Graham, the new Communications Manager of Marketing and Communications at DSC, in hopes of reaching out to the community to receive real networking connections and projects. Moody said, “We just put some opportunities through the foundation, and they’ve already started communicated with them too.”
If you’re interested in joining, they meet every Tuesday from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm in building 530, room 118.
Trinity Baker is Managing Editor.