"The COVID-19 pandemic shifted faculty into new virtual environments, with nearly all classes being remote in the 2020–21 academic year. This series of photographs introduce the new faculty of 2020 who began their time at Chico State facing this new digital academic environment.
Creating a small background set, creative lighting and color tone, and reflective filters helped to develop a new world for the faculty to be showcased in. The block style background was intended to reflect how they are the building blocks, while also symbolizing the data packets concept of this virtual world. The blue/green tonality of the images provided subtle reference toward the aesthetic of “The Matrix” movie series, while maintaining its own visual style. The reflective space and flaring added to the otherworldly environment.
These efforts provided an intriguing look and style for these new faculty venturing into a new academic environment of their own."
From the Judges
Ambitious concept executed wonderfully with a strong message to the readers.
