Rochester, NY

Expanding Laboratories:

The School of Media Sciences has an intimate and long-standing relationship with print-service-providers and the technology suppliers that serve the graphic communication, printing, and publishing industry. The RIT Cross-Media Innovation Center (CMIC) provides a formal link between the research efforts at the School of Media Sciences and our industry partners. In the past year RIT has invested capital from the School of Media Sciences Endowed Professors and CMIC Industry Partner funds to build-out our pre-media and printing labs. "Our Industry Partners are vital to the livelihood of our college. Companies like Xerox, HP, Adobe, EFI, Canon, Techkon, Esko, X-Rite, and others have helped support the upgrades to our college lab facilities through participation in the Cross-Media Innovation Center," said Lorraine Justice, Dean of the RIT College of Imaging Arts and Sciences (CIAS). 

In addition to the CMIC participation, Xerox has punctuated their commitment to RIT by donating a DocuColor^® 8080 Digital Press to the RIT School of Media Sciences for education and research purposes. "RIT continues to develop their curriculum and produce the next generation of print service providers to ensure the vitality and longevity of the Graphic Communications industry,” said Gina Testa, Vice President, Graphic Communications Industry, Xerox Corporation. 

The RIT School of Media Sciences continues to integrate the latest graphic communications workflow and marking technologies into the school labs and curriculum to ensure a rich and relevant educational experience for students. 

School of Media Sciences - CMIC Research Agenda:

The School of Media Sciences is fortunate to have five endowed professors who are involved in a wide range of research activities that are relevant to our students and industry. The RIT - Cross-Media Innovation Center provides a connection for students and faculty to better understand the research needs of industry and synchronize efforts for optimum results. The following endowed professors research agenda provides a vital infusion of content into the School of Media Sciences curriculum as well as helps our students and faculty to be more connected with the real-time needs of the industry. 

Chris Bondy - Frank E. Gannet Distinguished Professor 

Chris is an expert on the integration of various types of content across a wide range of media using a well-managed workflow. His research includes workflow optimization using cloud-based solutions for all aspects of the cross-media value chain including; composition, content/customer management systems, and image-quality.  His current research is focused on the use of electronic medical record systems and the demand for personalized health related information. 

Robert Chung - Fawcett Distinguished Professor

Bob is an expert in printing standardization and has developed printing certification activities that are used worldwide. He has also authored the Printing Standards Audit (PSA) certification program at RIT. Bob's current research includes the development of the "Printing Tolerance and Conformity Assessment" (CGATS TR016) an ANSI standard designed to standardize the dataset conformity assessment for both offset printing and digital printing nationally.

Robert Eller - Gravure Distinguished Professor 

Bob’s research is focused on making package printing faster, better, and cheaper through new printing technologies, workflow technologies, and International Standards. Bob host an annual Gravure Day event at RIT with a variety of speakers involved in the gravure and flexographic print industry.

Dr. Elena Fedorovskaya - Paul and Louise Miller Distinguished Professor

Elena’s research focuses on how to effectively select, organize and represent content across different media by investigating users preferences. A variety of research tools and methods are used including lab experiments and eye tracking, which allows researchers to evaluate users’ visual interest and viewing preferences by tracking and analyzing where they look and what attracts their attention. 

Dr. Shu Chang - Melbert B. Cary Distinguished Professor

Shu’s research identifies techniques to bridge the system of conventional digital printing to the rapidly growing field of additive manufacturing (3D Printing). She is identifying innovative ways to increase the types of materials that one can print in order to fabricate novel materials and devices in the fields of biology, medicine, and electronics.

RIT - Cross-Media Innovation Center Summit 2014:

The third annual RIT - CMIC Summit 2014 provides captivating discussions with cross-media communication industry experts as we examine pressing issues and relevant topics facing the graphic communications industry. The annual event is held during RIT Brick City Week Wednesday-Thursday October 15-16, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency 125 East Main Street Rochester, NY 14604. A $500 registration fee includes your participation in the event, Wednesday evening’s reception and dinner and breakfast/lunch on both days. Individuals who register for the Summit also become annual CMIC members. Industry Partner firms of CMIC at the Platinum Level will receive 5 free registrations; at the Gold Level, 2 free registrations. RIT Alumni and non-RIT students may attend the CMIC Summit for a $100 fee. Please contact Lauren Cardella Purvis at [email protected] or (585) 475-6864 for group rates and early registration fees. Visit the following Web site for the RIT CMIC Summit 2014 Agenda, event registration and other CMIC information http://www.rit.edu/cias/cmic/. 

For further information regarding membership, participation, or sponsorship of the RIT Cross-Media Innovation Center, or PrintInTheMix (http://printinthemix.rit.edu), please contact Chris Bondy, Executive Director, RIT CMIC at [email protected] or 585-475-2755.

About The School of Media Sciences:

RIT’s School of Media Sciences (SMS) offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn about the integration of print and new media, as it is reflected within our fast-paced and ever-changing digital world. Cutting-edge technologies have transformed the industry—its leadership and management require an understanding of the market, it’s technologies, and the content produced. Students in the SMS graduate as Media Architects, with an innovative, integrated skill set, a solid technical background of digital workflow processes, and a keen understanding of industry issues and trends. SMS is leveraging a 75-year history of academic excellence to create the next generation of industry leaders.