FUSE Showcase Draws Record Crowd

At the beginning of each academic year, interactive media (IM) students are given an opportunity to work on a project for the annual FUSE event at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Students all came together in their respective majors and chose teams to create projects such as board games, video games, animation, user experience, and many more. Each team is assigned a faculty member who ensures they are staying on task and offers guidance when needed. 

In the spring semester, the student groups enlist in the practicum course offered by the IM department which gives them the time to hear from their faculty, do weekly check-ins, and talk about the event itself. Students were busy in- and outside the classroom working on video games, board games, short animated films, interactive films, music for the games and so much more. 

On April 19, 29 student teams showcased their projects at the Peoria Riverfront Museum for local Peoria K-12 students, offering them a preview and an opportunity to test their projects. That evening, employers and alumni were able to preview the projects and offer students internships and job opportunities. “Having Bradley’s name out there especially when we have VIPs who are involved in game design coming to see our stuff is extraordinary,” shared assistant student producer Nat Wlodarczyk. 

A key component contributing to the success of FUSE is the student-led production team that helps organize and market the event to the public. Sophomore game design major Elda Osmani said last year’s FUSE showcase inspired her to become a student producer. “I was walking around and saw all the projects and I was like, ‘I want to do that,’” she said. “For interactive media students, FUSE is what brings us all together.” 

On April 20, the event was open to the public so everyone could join in the fun playing video games and watching the finished short films. Attendees were asked to bring donations to support “Peoria Fresh,” a food drive to collect produce for locals. This year’s program drew more attendees than previous FUSE events.

Awards for best projects were given out by the faculty.  

The UXcellence Award: Saige Heelein

The Dug Award for Animation: Evan Loraine

The Platinum Pixel Award for Game Art: Athena Volpendesta

Group Awards:

The Galactic Excellence Award for Game Design: Wakey Wakey

The Golden High Artistic Mastery (HAM): Forever Soup

—Adalia Yeung

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