September 30, 2024
by Denise Angelica Clave
Eureka—I found it! Anyone from the Institute of Design and Technology (IDT) may have at least known it as an artist’s guild with a side of collaboration and growth.
It’s more than an up-and-coming artists’ guild from the Asian International School of Aeronautics and Technology (AISAT). Rather, it is a community composed not only of artists but also anime and manga enthusiasts, gamers, and the like, helping each other out and forging a bond in the name of the arts through discussions on shared interests, gaming sessions, and even cosplay conventions.
What better way to introduce this club than to invite the guide for the latest batch of first-year students?
Vhan Diez, or “Kuya Vhan” as we sometimes address him, hails from the sole section representing Entertainment and Multimedia Computing (EMC) as a fourth-year student. In fact, as the IDT is a recent addition to a college for all things up in the air, it is no surprise that EMC students are few and far between. Even still, the first year’s tour guide did leave us with a glimpse of how he came to be when he moved on to his final year.
He joined Eureka back when online classes became the staple of the “new normal” in education, in a time where technology and communication go hand-in-hand as we remain in our homes. Though he had no direct roles within the club, he exercised his authority as an IDT representative, standing for the department the club was once based on.
While we set up a hasty interview in the thick of the night, he shared his adventures in the club, marked by its missions and ideals, as discussed further in the next two sections.
Teamwork makes the dream work
“In my specialty, I’m leaning more into digital art, as it has been my special interest when joining the club, learning more about anatomy, color, shading, tips, etc.”
The importance of “collaboration” is especially valued in Eureka, as he added that his time in the club helped him improve his skills in digital arts by studying the fundamentals of drawing.
Some new members may not have enough confidence to have a chat or be particularly inclined to the arts. Still, in Eureka, anyone can use some help casting their imaginations into a canvas, as long as an audience is watching over you with interest, intrigue, and a handful of tips to impart. After all, though some past members have to depart, the essence of camaraderie has taught them to explore as many perspectives as possible to craft their own, taking the club’s teachings as they branch apart and venture.
Hustle and bustle
“I suggested opening a gaming session during intrams, and it was a successful run where many AISAT students were able to play the PS4 like Tekken and the main attraction for the booth.”
If you desire to wind down after the ordeal of school work, Eureka’s got you covered with some events to make the most of your break. The club has hosted a variety of activities over the course of its run, ranging from photography challenges and artist collaborations (both of which used to offer prizes and certificates) to selling plenty of merchandise—be it stickers, pins, or posters—in as many events as they can.
In a previous year’s Intramurals, Vhan himself spearheaded the foundation of what was once the Game Room by offering his PlayStation 4 and suggested members perhaps run gaming events, resulting in an engaging addition to what the club has to offer, with students flocking from all over AISAT to amuse themselves with a selection of games—mainly of the “fighting” genre, such as Tekken.
Wrapping up
As for the final question, Vhan was asked for his remarks on the club’s future before graduating from AISAT.
“I hope to see the club’s members become more proactive and engaged, as I’ve noticed some members are shy when interacting with others. However, I believe that, with time, this will improve, as Eureka is all about fostering creative ideas and gathering unique talents, which represents its true potential as Eureka. I met great people and felt connected to them and shared with honor. I am hoping the other members will get to experience that as well.”
Eureka is a meeting ground for creatives to share memories and express themselves—once serving as a staple for the newer IDT and now reaching a broader scope regarding its members. In overseeing how the club evolved into a tight-knit community and embodying a fledgling course borne from a trend in technology, Vhan has left an example for the future of Eureka, but not without a quote that sums up this club as a whole:
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
—Coretta Scott King
Whenever club sign-ups are in order, feel free to consider hopping in. Who knows, this might be your eureka moment!