D&I Speaker Series: Dan Marcolina Artist Talk and Workshop
Join us for a talk with Dan Marcolina, founder of Marcolina Design, as he shares insights into his career blending technology and design principles with a playful, elegant tone. Marcolina has worked with clients like Discovery Channel, Adobe, and Procter & Gamble, while pioneering AI, AR, and VR in creative workflows. Plus, there will be free pizza!
After the talk, Marcolina will lead a hands-on AI workshop where students will create AI-generated fantasy self-portraits using MidJourney, Krea, and Photoshop, culminating in an animated piece. He will also introduce his “Diffused Reality” process—fusing AI, photography, and mixed reality—showcasing how these tools can be integrated into student work.
Artist Talk: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Live Stream Zoom link: https://temple.zoom.us/j/98545504804
Workshop:
Part 1 (12:30 – 2:00 PM): Introductory session with workflow demos and AI techniques.
Part 2 (2:00 – 5:30 PM): Hands-on session where students experiment with AI-assisted design, motion, and 3D creations.
Students can attend Part 1 only or stay for both sessions. RSVPs are requested. Workshop location will be shared after registration.
RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/r/5GwGEdgDjG
About the Speaker:
Marcolina Design, founded by Dan and his wife Denise, was one of the first all-digital design firms in Philadelphia. For over 40 years, their work has blended technology and design principles with a playful, elegant tone across various media, from brand guidelines to television titles and web content for clients like Discovery Channel, Adobe, and more.
In recent years, Dan’s work in XR (extended reality design) has broken new ground, using AR, VR, and AI in inventive ways for clients such as Procter & Gamble and Pfizer, as well as in galleries and event spaces. With a background in photography spanning 45 years, he has exhibited widely and authored and lectured on digital image creation.
With this long history and as an early adopter of new creative technologies, it was natural for him to embrace AI. For the past three years, he has explored how to incorporate his lens-based work into the AI process. His AI work is a unique “photo” synthesis he calls Diffused Reality. He has had several large exhibitions and has lectured on the subject for organizations like National Geographic, AIGA, and several universities. His prints are available at the Woodmere Museum of Art.
See new work on Instagram @marcolina