DS9 Your Space To Make

Everything you need to know about the design studio on the 9th floor of Tower.

The design studio on the 9th floor of Tower, better known as DS9, is the space reserved just for Communication Design and Illustration majors. The 9th floor has desks reserved for CD and Illustration students and space available for temporary use. The DS9 is a fantastic place to work on your projects and assignments because you can use the different equipment, tools, and resources to work comfortably and get the best out of the school. While working on DS9, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the Boston skyline and meet other students. Something that inspires me while visiting the DS9 is seeing other students’ works and how they decorate their desks for inspiration.

What is the DS9?

Where do I find all the stuff I need to do my work?

Here is a map of DS9 where you can find the “landing pads,” slop sinks, work spaces, computers, printers, and other resources. Go directly to a landing pad or resource (iMac, scanner, printer) you wish to use.

Who is Luanne Witkowski?

When we think about DS9, we automatically think about the studio manager Luanne Witkowski. Luanne has served as the Communication Design studio manager and Instructor for around 20 years. If you are majoring in Communication Design, I’m sure you have seen all the emails that Luanne sends to us to keep us updated about what is happening at DS9. If you have questions regarding DS9 or any other questions, Luanne is the person you should contact. SHE KNOWS EVERYTHING! And she won’t hesitate to help you.

Email: lwitkowski@massart.edu

Office: Tower 910 (across from the restrooms)

Equipment & tools at DS9

If you need help using any equipment, tools, or other assistance, you can ask one of the DS9 Monitors. The 9th-floor DS9 Monitors/Mentors/Liaisons are available to help when Luanne is not on the 9th floor. They can be found at their desks during the day when not in class, and messages can be left for them at their desk when they are away. They are “on-duty” at the DS9 entre check-in desk from 5 pm–10 pm and on weekends. Also, if you love working on the DS9, you can become a monitor and get paid for helping other students. You can ask Luanne if they are looking for anybody to help on the floor if you are interested.

Large cutting mats:

Protects your work surface so that it does not receive any marks from the rotary cutter’s blade. Also, please use one of these to protect the tables when cutting.

Large light tables:

You can use it to review your artwork or draw and trace on it.

Lightbox:

It’s a mini shooting station! If you need to take pictures of any of your pieces. Use the lightbox to capture a professional presentation of your work.

Large scanner:

Perfect if you need to scan a big piece of paper. If your scanner is not working at home you can use it for your “Making as research” homework 😉

Photo scanners:

You can use it to turn your physical photos into digital files.

Guillotine:

Perfect if you are cutting a large number of sheets of paper and board for your bookbinding. Make sure to ask for help if you haven’t used it before.

Comb binder:

You can put all your pages together using the comb binder. It would put all your pages together into a booklet using a plastic or wire spiral binding.

Booklet maker:

Designed to take a number of sheets of paper, staple them in the center and fold them into a booklet

Page jogger:

Is used to eliminate static and align your pages before binding. You can use it to ensure that all your pages are perfectly aligned before and after you finish cutting them.

How to get your own desk at DS9

It sounds exciting getting your desk at DS9. Here is what you have to do to make it happen:

As I said, you must keep an eye on Luanne’s emails. She would notify you at the beginning of each semester when to sign up for a desk.
Before signing up for a desk, you must consider that juniors and seniors have preference for placement.
Luanne will send an email with the list attached for you to sign up for a desk.
If you were assigned a DS9 desk last semester, you are still assigned the same desk the current semester.
If you are a senior: If you gave up your desk, you would have to sign up for a new one.
Spaces open up so keep in touch with her about your interest in having a desk if you did not receive one.

Important Information

Regular DS9 hours are:

M–F: 8am–11pm

Sat & Sun: 12:00pm–11:00pm

For holidays or in case of important events, Luanne would send an email with the hours you can asset DS9 during those days.

FREE MASSART SHUTTLE BUS: if you are working late and need a ride home locally, to the train if commuting, or to the parking lots. Inquire with Public Safety for details, routers, and schedules. Also, if you need someone to walk you to your dorm late at night, we encourage you to ask public safety to accompany you. Please make it home safe after a long day of work.

Public Safety: (617) 879 7810. Call them if there is an EMERGENCY or anything strange or unusual happening.

DS9 Guidelines

The Guidelines can change so I would keep an eye for Luanne’s emails in case anything chances. There are also some COVID guidelines that we have to follow while we are at DS9.

Come to the DS9 on days you would regularly come to class and to work.
Please DO NOT use any of the numbered desks. They have been assigned for individual use to Seniors and we ask you to respect their space and work.
ALL students using and working in the DS9 must read, agree to, and sign a DS9 Studio Agreement/Contract (SAC) and agree to follow our Honor Code as outlined in the SAC and as posted throughout the DS9.
ID access to DS9 is required. If your ID does not work please contact public safety on the 2nd floor of the tower building.

COVID GUIDELINES:

Masks must be worn properly at all times in the DS9. At landing pads, in classrooms, in restrooms and the studio in general—no exceptions.
Practice physical distance of 3-6ft.
Wipe down all surfaces when finished working (and wash hands)
Absolutely NO EATING in the DS9: not at desks, not in classrooms, and not in the studio in general. If you bring your lunch/snack, you need to eat in designated eating areas while on campus: cafeteria, courtyard; or off campus: parks, cafes, restaurants; or your home.
Recommended ‘studio time’ is no more than 3-4 hours at a time—then take a break outside for fresh air.
Occupancy limits will be posted on classrooms as and where needed.
No visitors from other departments. Only CD/IL majors using assigned desks, or using landing pads, workrooms/resources have access to the DS9.