Media Sampler Workshops 

Are you wondering whether you’d like programming, photography, video, infographics, graphic design, or something else but don’t want to take commit quite yet to a whole semester class? Try out different types of media by taking some very basic, two-hour hands-on free workshops taught by both faculty and professionals that will introduce you to whatever you’re curious about?

Sketching Ideas in Traditional Media

Friday, March 16, 2018
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Room CAS 165

media-sandbox-workshop-sketching-ideas.jpgExploration of drawing media and observation skills—get ideas on paper for concept development and communication.

Instructor: Barbara Hranilovich

Barbara makes her living as an artist—commercial illustrator, painter/sculptor—and teacher. Her long-standing and cherished client relationships allow her to do a full spectrum of work ranging from creative direction and concept development with execution of large campaigns, to jobs as simple as a brochure, a cartoon, or a storyboard. Her work has appeared in “Communication Arts Illustration Annual” and the Society of Illustrator’s “Illustration Annual”. Oh, and she’s won a bunch of Addy awards at local, regional, and national levels.


Past Workshops

Data Visualization and Infographics

Friday, October 6, 2017
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Room CAS 151

infographics-workshop.jpgWe will begin to explore informational graphics (aka: infographics, images and words that explain the world around us) and how to make them come to life with Adobe Illustrator. Participants should bring a laptop with Adobe Illustrator CC or CS6.

Instructor: Richard Epps
Richard is the visual journalism professor for MSU's School of Journalism. He joined the faculty in August 2016 after a 20-year career at The Detroit News.

Download a free software trial


Digital Painting with Photoshop

Friday, October 13, 2017
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Room CAS 155

media-sandbox-digital-painting-workshop-sm.jpgStudents taking this course will learn how to paint digitally using Photoshop. Participants should bring a laptop with a graphics tablet (Wacom, Huion, Ugee, etc..)

Instructor: Ricardo Guimaraes

Ricardo is a talented concept artist and illustrator with extensive work experience in the entertainment industry. Ricardo’s illustrations have been showcased at ImagineFX Magazine and Ballistic Publishing’s EXOTIQUE, among many others. His clients include Blizzard Entertainment, Square Enix, Ubisoft, Ghost VFX, and many others.

Download a free software trial


Photo Illustration with Photoshop

Friday, November 3, 2017
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Room CAS 155

media-sandbox-workshop-photo-illustration.jpgStudents will learn how to combine multiple photos in Photoshop to make a simple illustration. Participants should bring a laptop with Adobe Photoshop.

Instructor: Karl Gude
Karl is an illustrator and artist who teaches the Sandbox class, CAS 110 "Creative Thinking." He is the Director of the Media Sandbox and was previously a graphic artist at Newsweek and the Associated Press in New York.

Download a free software trial


Shoot Movies with your iPhone

Friday, November 10, 2017
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Room CAS 155

media-sandbox-workshop-shoot-movies-iphone.jpgThe secret to great shots, professional sounding audio and engaging storytelling with your phone won’t be a secret if you come to this session! 

Instructor: Mike Castellucci

Mike has been honored with 22 Emmy Awards in 5 regions including Los Angeles, Texas and Michigan.  In Dallas at WFAA-TV, Mike created a broadcast first--airing an entire half hour special that he shot entirely on his phone called Phoning it in.


Photo Storytelling

Friday, November 17, 2017
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Room CAS 151

media-sandbox-workshop-photo-storytelling.jpgDiscuss image sequencing to tell a story, and go out and shoot a situation on campus with the best camera you’ve got, which means the one you’ve got with you.

Instructor: Kurt Stepnitz

Kurt is MSU’s official photographer! Before spending 22 years as a specialist in scientific imaging at the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Kurt co-owned a commercial photography studio in Detroit. Kurt has worked as a photographer for Communications and Brand Strategy since 2003; he is a recipient of the University Photographers Association of American Print and Publication award and a cofounder of the Great Lakes Area Plastic Camera Group.