Dejia Danhi ’20
POE: Multimedia Design
I chose to study the IMA program because it gave me a creative outlet to express myself and explore my talents. I was given many opportunities to work with clients where I could figure out what I liked best about design. I was able to find different avenues as to where I could see myself as a designer, and how I can create for a purpose that speaks to me as the designer, but also portrays well for the consumer. The program also granted me exposure to the wide variety of mediums that media can be displayed. Exposure to these mediums played a big role in creating my program of emphasis.
I individualized my POE to combine all of my interests into one encompassing program. Through individualizing, I was able to figure out what routes I would like to go and find the classes that interested me in IMA. This process also allowed me to experience different courses that I wasn’t as passionate about. My most influential course was digital media because I was given the opportunity to create my own social media campaign. Creating a campaign was fascinating to me, so I started to do some research to find other forms of media where this has been done. I came across artists that have created influential impacts revolving around an issue or cause that matters to them, and how they were able to combine their craft and other passions was fascinating to me.
"The IMA program gave me a creative outlet to express myself and explore my talents."
Through that I started to look at other classes such as marketing and communication courses to individualize my POE that would enable me to become a better communicator and a scholar. I was able to learn how to read audiences and know how to understand them when wanting to advocate for them. The courses that gave me insight into communicating with people and knowing how to convey messages in an ethical way was Interpersonal communication and Message analysis. Digital photography course and video production both gave me the tools and mediums that I could use to become a better visual storyteller. Without these courses I wouldn’t have a grasp on what kind of designer and advocate I want to become.
The key experience I’ve had at Juniata is most definitely studying abroad. The courses that I studied abroad taught me in-depth skills about the process of design. Combining the material with a real world experience helped me figure out the kind of designer I want to be, but also taught me ways to avoid the type of designer I don’t enjoy. I am also a student-athlete. Juniata and the IMA program has allowed me to pursue my academics both on campus and abroad, while also allowing me to pursue my athletic goals.
My goal is to work for a company that designs for good and create design experiences that benefit the consumer. Design and media is such a powerful outlet. I want to create experiences that benefit the people to which the material is exposed. The opportunity to evolve people’s thinking surrounding an issue or cause can be greatly influential to society, and I would like to create those designs and make that change to make the world a better place.
Influential Courses
- IM 375 IMA Lab I
- IM 376 IMA Lab II
- IM 110 Principles of Digital Media
- AR 204 Digital Art
- AR 203 Digital Photography