Article by Kathryn Trupia | Photos courtesy of Glitch and Glam
Glitch and Glam intersects computer science with art design, opening doors to future career opportunities
Are you a computer science student with a passion for creativity? Would you like to expand your skillset beyond your academic coursework? Introducing Glitch & Glam, UD’s newest RSO that combines computer science with creative outlets.
“We didn’t see an organization that was exploring web design, UI/UX, and other careers in technology that were creative based,” said co-president Ella Wilkins, a senior majoring in computer science. “The goal of Glitch and Glam is to show [computer science] students that you don’t have to immediately be a software engineer or a data scientist, there’s other creative opportunities you can explore.”
Co-president Dustin Tran, a junior majoring in computer science, also felt a need for the presence of a club like Glitch and Glam. “It was really hard for me to find other people who also had the same interest in using technology to create web designs,” said Tran. “I kept wondering, ‘Why don’t we have a specific space for this?’”
Dustin Tran
Glitch and Glam aims to help students realize the possibilities of their major, beyond traditional computer science roles.
“Design is sadly underestimated in the field of computer science,” said Nazim Karaca, instructor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, and the new club’s faculty advisor. “Usually, most people are more computationally focused, and not design focused.”
The organization has plans to lead skill-building workshops, as well as host panels of industry professionals to discuss their experiences. “If you can’t specifically learn through your coursework, you can learn through Glitch and Glam,” said Wilkins.
Due to its technology-heavy nature, many computer science students do not realize that art can be intersected with their major, and lead to an eventual career. A few years back, Wilkins was one of those students.
“As someone who would have tried to explore something like that if it was offered, I wanted to establish Glitch and Glam as a way to educate others who don’t know about that option.”
Ella Wilkins
Not only does the club showcase these possibilities, it also helps establish mentor-mentee relationships between first-year and upper-division students. “I wish I had [a mentor] as a freshman,” noted Tran. “Computer science is a very large and intimidating field, that would have made my life so much easier.”
When looking towards the future, Tran hopes the club will become a space for students who share common interests. “I want to make [Glitch and Glam] not just something professional, but also a support system for people to make friends and find their community.”
Glitch and Glam will hold their first meeting in mid-October, and encourage students from all majors to join.
“We want as many perspectives as possible,” said Karaca. “You don’t have to be either a genius at coding or a brilliant artist to be a member of this club. You just have to be interested and Curious.”
Want to learn more? Follow @ud_gag on Instagram to hear about their upcoming events.