Damon Loren Baker’s Profile
human computer interaction, virtual worlds, augmented reality, hypertext, digital humanities, high performance computing, mobile devices, electrophysiology
Damon Loren Baker is the Assistant Professor of Interactive Entertainment at CUNY CityTech in Brooklyn, where he teaches in the Emerging Media and Entertainment Technology programs. He conducts research as a member of StudioBlue , the Brooklyn Waterfront Research Center and the City Tech Psychology Research Lab on the creation of tools for human computer interaction with virtual worlds for the humanities, arts, and social sciences that are based on current research in cognitive science and implemented using current techniques in high performance computing
and visualization.
He is a member of ManifestAR,an augmented reality artists group featured in the New York Times,Wired, etc and exhibited in MoMA,ICA,The Venice Biennale,etc sometimes even with their permission. He is also the video systems designer and programmer for the Unreliable Bestiary. a series of live multimedia performances that was featured at the Sundance festival in 2011.
Previously he was the Associate Curator of Art, Design, and Technology at the Krannert Art Museum at UIUC where he curated the Intermedia Gallery and the CANVAS immersive virtual reality system for the public exhibition of virtual art objects with the Illinois Simulator
Laboratory of the Beckman Institute, conducted research as member of the Creative Computing lab at the Siebel Center for Computer Science and the Cultural Informatics lab at NCSA, and performed as a member of the UIUC Digital Collective. He came to UIUC from Brown University
where he studied and worked at the Center for Computation and Visualization on spatial hypertext systems for the Department of Literary Arts. He has also been a R+D Fellow at Wolfram
Research, Music Director for a public radio station, late night jazz DJ and an archaeologist.
My Courses
Interactive Sound for Games and Simulations
An introduction to interactive sound for games and simulation-based media. The technical skills and foundations covered apply to game audio, interactive music performance, and interactive media scores. Students learn to use game audio engines, sound computation basics, and open source and proprietary tools. Professional audio quality standards are emphasized, and aesthetic sensitivity for final product is developed. For final projects, students design and program a complete sound environment for a game scene or interactive simulation.
Ins and Outs Of Physical Computing
An introduction to interactive technology with a focus on how we use technology to express ourselves and interact with our environment. This class will combine a hands-on exploration of sensors and microcontrollers with concepts of interaction design employing a structured design process. Students will work on creative group projects and provide on-line documentation of their work. An array of sensing technologies from simple switches to video tracking will be introduced. Students will use the simple programming of microcontrollers to process incoming data from sensors.
ENT 2220, ENT 3320, ENT 3420, ENT 4421, ENT 4422 Technical Production II, III, IV, V, VI 90 lab hrs, 2 cr Supervised laboratory in the technical areas of production. Hands-on experience in the planning, construction, rigging and running of productions to learn backstage procedures and operations in a performance situation. Emphasis placed on careful pre-planning, appropriate safety procedures and on follow- up critiques and evaluation of the work done. Assignments will be made on the basis of the ability and the prior achievements of each student, assuring a variety of work experiences. Each succeeding semester will involve a greater degree of production responsibility. Prerequisite; ENT 2120 and for each succeeding level is successful completion of the prior course
Introduction to Interactive 3D Environments Programming
This course provides students with technical foundations and opportunity to work with state of the art virtual reality (VR) systems and interactive 3D environments. The foundations covered in this course apply to computer games, 3D film production, immersive environments, and virtual scenery for live performance. Students will be prepared to apply and extend basic skills in modeling, scripting and programming. Emphasizes production, teamwork, analysis of interactive 3D systems, and applications-driven user experiences with assessment of aesthetic orientation.
An independent study in realtime 3d video mapping.
My Projects
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The purpose of this project is to create a forum to ask questions, generate discussion, and share teaching materials, resources, and ideas about teaching and learning on the OpenLab. Avatar image: “The open door” by hehaden.
Realizing the value of the research experience at the undergraduate level, this project is committed to fostering research opportunities for City Tech students. Faculty and students can use this project as a place to share announcements about research opportunities, as well as a place to offer information about the experiences students and faculty have had in their research endeavors. A handbook on effective mentoring, developed by the Undergraduate Research Committee, is currently available for download.
First Year Writing @ City Tech
FYW@City Tech is a program and a digital forum for sharing curricular and pedagogical resources related to teaching and learning about writing at City Tech. The First Year Writing Program @ City Tech (FYW@City Tech) offers professional and curricular support for faculty teaching First Year Writing Courses (ENG1101 and ENG1121) at the college. As a repository of materials related to best practices in teaching writing, the FYW@City Tech Web site is a place where FYW instructors and faculty across the college can learn more about teaching writing and archive their unique disciplinary resources related to teaching writing at a college of technology.
The Project Site for the New YorK City College of Technology College Council.
My Clubs
Broad-spectrum & focused exploration of international & local politics, anthropology, sociology, psychology, alternative history, finance, technology, medicine/biotech, resource management, philosophy, spirituality, consciousness, Egyptology, ufology, the occult.
