MIAD Independent Inquiry Program: Building knowledge, confidence

From a Fine Art major to Illustration, Communication Design and Product Design – first-year student to senior – participants in the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design’s Independent Inquiry Program say they are building both knowledge and self-confidence.

Launched in spring 2025, MIAD’s Independent Inquiry Program is run through the college’s Lubar Emerging Technology Center. It is now in its 4th cycle of providing MIAD students grant stipends to research how emerging technology intersects with creative practice. After a review board of MIAD staff and faculty determines a list of inquiry topics and the grants are awarded, accepted applicants investigate the questions and share the results through a publicly accessible online knowledge base.

Anna Keebler

Senior Calen Benson ’26, an Illustration major minoring in Communication Design, spent 15 weeks investigating “Developing Projection Mapping Workflows.”

“I love improving my illustrations and transforming them to create an interactive experience, whether that be through textile materials or advanced technology,” Benson says. Yet, “the complexity of a projection mapping project was something I did not expect.”

“Discovering roadblocks and overcoming such obstacles is important and good, as adjustments and problem-solving are a part of the research and experimentation process,” explains Benson. “My inquiry allowed me to explore the projection mapping process to develop the skills needed to teach other creatives interested in the medium.

“I aim to develop my skills to master projection mapping as part of my career, as I am inspired by artists and illustrators whose work is fitting for large-scale projections onto surfaces such as buildings.”

For their senior thesis project, Benson says, “I am building an interactive mock museum installation that teaches children between the ages of eight and twelve about the chemical reactions that occur when eggs are cooked using various techniques (such as heating, mixing, beating).”

First-year student Edie Dembroski ’29, who is pursuing a major in Communication Design and a minor in Advertising through MIAD’s cross-registration with Marquette University, conducted a six-week investigation on “Ethics and AI – Energy Consumption.”

“Throughout this experience I gained a lot of confidence about my own abilities,” Dembroski says. “I went into the program with a lot of self-doubt and imposter syndrome….

“Even though it was an extremely challenging and somewhat frustrating process at times, I learned that I’m capable of pushing through it and coming out with a result I feel very proud of. I certainly recommend that MIAD students participate in this program … it will really push you and allow you realize what you’re capable of achieving.”

Other topics researched include “Designing 3D Interactive Experiences for Augmented Reality” by Product Design senior Anna Keebler ’26 and “Vibe Coding a Video Game” by sophomore Lilly Martin ’28 (Fine Art + New Studio Practice).

Keebler shared that her “biggest aha moment during my inquiry was when I realized how accessible AR content creation is. It has so much potential for different applications, and it was really exciting creating this article to teach others about it.”

Read about previous research conducted by students in the first cycle of MIAD’s Independent Inquiry Program.