Cleveland Institute of Art Interactive Media Lab

DD Patton
Media Technology Specialist

DD is a Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) Class of 2024 alum in Photography who brings both creative practice and technical expertise into her work at the IML. She is the team’s go‑to resource for camera and lighting support, helping users navigate production needs across a wide range of projects.

Favorite Films: DD’s picks include: Call Me By Your Name, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Banshees of Inisherin, Clueless, and Jennifer’s Body.

When she’s not at the IML, DD continues her photography practice, spends time rock climbing, and hangs out with her dog, Dakota.

A look at how digital tools can support hands-on craft and material exploration.

Beginning with a 3D scan, the subject was translated into a 3D printed form, then cast in plaster to create a mold for glass production. The result is a process that moves seamlessly between digital capture and physical material exploration.

Work like this illustrates how the IML supports both technical production and material-driven design practices.

Credit:

A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to connect and be part of the Ohio Tech Summit and the Futureland Creator Tour ✨
It was a great chance to engage with creatives, technologists, and industry leaders across the region—sharing how the IML supports innovation, collaboration, and creative production.
Thank you to OhioX and Futureland for including us in these events—we’re grateful to have been part of such an exciting and growing community.

We’re excited to be part of the Creator Tour—a full day celebrating creativity, technology, and making.

Join us for hands-on experiences, conversations, and inspiration alongside creators from across the region.

Event Details
May 16 | 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Join us — get your tickets on Eventbrite, link in our LinkTree!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/futureland-creator-tour-tickets-1985162475403

It is amazing what goes on in a typical week at the IML:

- LAND Energy Shoot with their new ADV on a dyno in the XR Studio
- Content editing in our Experience + Edit Center.
- Motion Capture Session
- Dreamworld Shoot with custom Unreal content.
- Shoot Prep in our Innovation Studio.
- Voice Recording Session in our Recording Studio
- Product Development Presentation in the Arcade.

The IML is usually buzzing with professionals accessing our unique technologies and training sessions for those interested in learning new tools. Our facility is also humming with tours, events, and classes.

Come see technology in action!

When you have over 14,000 square feet of lab space and a lot of high‑tech gear, a little TLC goes a long way.

Over the past couple of months, our team has been busy behind the scenes:

- Fine‑tuning our Nomad3 CNC mill,

- Performing routine maintenance on our Bambu Lab 3D printers,

- Switching out our XR Studio wall panels to keep everything running smoothly.

This attention to detail ensures that we’re ready to meet client needs and produce the best possible outcome.

Get in touch if you are interested in leveraging our well-maintained labs and gear.

We’re excited to join the VR/AR Association as an institutional member, connecting the Cleveland Institute of Art to a global network shaping the future of immersive technology.

Ohio is emerging as a serious hub for XR and spatial computing, and this membership strengthens our connection to applied research, industry partners, and real‑world implementations across education, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Through we gain:
→ Access to Ohio‑based XR research and collaboration opportunities
→ Stronger connections between academic research and industry deployment
→ A platform for shared learning and thought leadership within the XR community
→ Professional memberships for faculty, staff, and students—supporting engagement with the global XR community

An infrastructure for collaboration, research, and innovation.

We’re also proud to share that two members of our team — Matthew McKenna and Rachel Yurkovich — are participating as Strategic Advisors for the VR/AR Association Ohio Chapter, helping highlight Ohio as a global hub for XR implementation.

Interested in partnering on XR initiatives or applied projects? Let’s connect.