"West African
Gnome", a Windows Media Player skin created by HU
students is downloadable from the Microsoft
http://www.Windowsmedia.com skins gallery. A
skin is a custom Windows Media Player interface that
is an expression of digital artistry and functional
utility. The Windowsmedia.com skins gallery contains
57 skins that have satisfied rigorous Windows Media
test criteria. Microsoft or professional interactive
media organizations developed most skins in the
gallery.
Marcus Johnson
(College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer
Sciences - CEACS) and Jennifer Young (School of
Communications) intended the skin to be
aesthetically consistent with the coloring and
markings commonly found on authentic West African
Gnome woodcarvings. The Gnome skin is a package with
files containing images, Jscript and XML. Gnome was
originally submitted as a required assignment for
Digital Media Applications, an interdisciplinary
course cross-listed by the College of Arts and
Sciences, the School of Communications and the
College of Engineering, Architecture & Computer
Sciences. DMA course instructors, Drs. Gary Harris,
C.C. Lee and Todd Shurn, encouraged students
continually to improve their skins and submit them
to Windowsmedia.com for gallery consideration.
Microsoft provided
the DMA students with Windows Media player handbooks
and development software. Keith Toussaint, Windows
Media program manager and Howard alumnus, says "this
is a great example of how industry, alumni and
faculty can bring a more relevant educational
experience to students to prepare them for the
challenges of industry."
