Get to know the story behind the DS9
DS9 is much more than just the studio floor; it’s also the legacy of a community of artists and designers that have worked together to create a space where we can work collaboratively. Since it was officially created, the DS9 has been passed down to different generations of MassArt students. Also, thank you to Luanne, who has worked with the students and has managed the studio floor since the first day! ❤️
The DS9 used to be shared by three departments: Animation, Graphic Design, and Illustrations. The DS9 used to be called the Communication Design Studio because those three departments were combined into one. Later, the Graphic Design, Animation, and Illustration departments became their own departments, but they continued to share the same space on the 9th floor.
Each department grew, which made the animation department move out of the studio. The animation students needed a different kind of studio because their technical needs differed from those of the illustrators and graphic designers. Since then, we have shared the studio floor with the animation department.
Where did the DS9 name come from?
The Graphic Design department changed its name to the Communication Design department, forcing it to change the studio’s name since the Illustration department was also sharing the same studio. The MassArt students from both departments came up with the idea to call it Design Studio 9 or DS9, as we call it today. Also, the DS9 used to be called Deep Space 9, a trendy video game and spin-off TV show from the Star Trek series at that time, because of the related acronyms.
What a studio space is, according to Luanne Witkowski 🐱
Luanne said that the deep space 9 name complemented the idea of what a studio space really is. There are three things that we have to consider as young students designers while we are here at Massart:
The first one is our classes and our assignments. Working with the faculty and learning from our project assignments is what is going to drive us to learn the skills that we need so we can apply those skills to our professional practice.
The second one is the network that we create while we are here at MassArt. Our networking shouldn’t just be limited to our classmates. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors should get to know each other and help each other. Also, we meet people through our faculty and people from different majors. The people we meet here at MassArt will follow us for life.
The third one is one of the most important and is developing a studio practice. We must know that more than just doing our school projects is needed. When we graduate or leave college, we have to understand how to work by ourselves on a professional level. We must work on personal projects, even while working for a company or freelancing. Studio practice should be sacred for us because it’s the work that is more personal and close to ourselves. To develop a studio practice, you must have the appropriate space to work comfortably, professionally, and successfully. The studio for your personal practice is your deep space. The deep space 9 name reflects what studio practice really is.
DS9 Community
The DS9 used to be a completely different space from what we can appreciate now. The nine floor used to be where students from all departments and years gathered to work on their projects with little supervision. Luanne Witkowski was asked to manage the studio to help organize the floor and help the students make a better place to work for everybody. One of the primary missions of the new studio was to make space for everyone equally.
The students wanted a more organized space, which they all helped make possible. They helped with the organization of the desks, open spaces, and even the outlet right next to each desk is all the volunteer work that students did that today we are enjoying.
DS9 has always brought the community of MassArt students together. Students always volunteer to help with the studio, which we should appreciate. Unfortunately, since COVID, the community of MassArt students that used to gather in the DS9 has been different. Everyone used to be really involved in the studio’s community, making it easier for the new students to settle in.
This year 2023, is the official year that we are fully back in person, and we are just starting to rebuild the community that was almost lost because of COVID. We should take this as an opportunity to create a new DS9 story and build a new legacy that we can share with future MassArt students. Also, take advantage of the space given to us to develop our practice and talents!
DS9 Brand
Did you know that DS9 has a logo?
Kerry Blanchard designed our actual DS9 logo. Kerry graduated from MassArt in 2022 as a Graphic Designer, and she also used to volunteer as a studio monitor. She designed the logo during the summer of 2022. Kerry created a whole brand for the DS9 studio!! She designed the logo and signs around the studio to instruct the students. She did a fantastic job, and it was beautiful and well-designed.
