18 Days Remain Until the Return of Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival

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Alex Moser ’09 (designer)

The official 2009 Imagine RIT poster

“What will we think of next?” The campus community at Rochester Institute of Technology encourages everyone to come and find out as it prepares to take the wraps off Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival, set to return on Saturday, May 2.

Imagine RIT organizers hosted a rally at the university today to help set the stage for the second annual festival. RIT President Bill Destler used the occasion to broadcast his invitation for one and all to come and explore the campus while engaging in its wide spectrum of innovative and creative activities.

“Last year’s debut of Imagine RIT was an unequivocal success,” he said. “The collision of our left-brain assets in science, technology and entrepreneurship with our right-brain proficiency in the creative and design arts created a dazzling spectacle that highlighted the reasons this university is truly unique.”

Imagine RIT, taking place on the RIT campus from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2, is a free festival showcasing more than 400 interactive exhibits and displays, all highlighting a wide array of student, faculty and staff achievements. The event also features food, entertainment and a variety of children’s activities that help to ensure a fun, family-friendly environment. More than 17,000 visitors attended last year’s inaugural festival.

Several of this year’s Imagine RIT exhibits were showcased at today’s gathering, including digital music controller demonstrations presented by RIT’s Computer Science House, environmentally friendly test rides onboard RIT’s Electric Bike Club fleet, and samples of the creative artistry housed within RIT’s School for American Crafts.

Destler extended his appreciation to Rochester General Health System for serving as this year’s festival partner. In December, RIT entered into a strategic alliance with RGHS allowing for collaborative opportunities in shared areas of excellence. Mark Clement, president and CEO of RGHS, indicated the festival as one way to showcase the benefits of this alliance, particularly during a period of widespread economic challenges.

“I believe that partnerships such as ours and the promising talent that fills this campus are two very important reasons for hope for our community,” stated Clements. “We are delighted to be associated with RIT, and delighted to be a sponsor and participant in the Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival.”

Added Destler, “Many of the innovative and creative solutions you’ll enjoy as part of your visit can’t help but inspire all of us in believing our best days still lie ahead.”

As part of the rally, Destler and Clements presided over the unveiling of Imagine RIT’s official poster. Created by Alex Moser, a fourth-year applied arts and science major in RIT’s College of Applied Science and Technology, the poster was selected from among 15 student entries submitted to a design contest. Members of the RIT community were invited to vote for their favorite design as part of a two-week online exhibition. More than 4,000 votes were cast.

Moser, who received a $500 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble in recognition of his achievement, created his design using digital software. The Medfield, Mass., native points to the inventiveness of his fellow RIT students for influencing his concept.

“With all the new ideas and inspirations happening at RIT, I came up with this image of a girl holding a balloon, which represented her idea, allowing it to take her wherever it will take her,” explains Moser. “This is the first opportunity I’ve had for my work to be widely recognized, and I think it’s really great to have it included as part of the festival.”

In addition to the poster, Destler previewed this year’s Imagine RIT commercial, which debuts on Rochester-area television on Thursday, April 16.

Both the poster design and TV commercial can be viewed at Imagine RIT Web site. The public is encouraged to visit the Web for festival details, including a complete summary of exhibits, entertainment and other information to help visitors plan their day.