About

At MAGIC, we believe that we learn by making. This guiding principle informs our work and our relationships and is at the heart of what we do.

Founded in 2013, the RIT Center for Media, Arts, Games, Interaction & Creativity (MAGIC) is two distinct entities housed within a new 52,000 square foot facility known as MAGIC Spell Studios.  Across both sides we passionately pursue our missions of learning, research, entrepreneurism, commercial outreach and project showcase.

Students working and smiling around a desk with a computer on it

MAGIC Center

The MAGIC Center promotes the academic mission of the university, capitalizing on the energy, synergy, and convergence of multiple academic programs through project-based curriculum, faculty research and scholarship. MAGIC is a digital sandbox for students and faculty pushing the boundaries of technology, art and design!

Open space in the MAGIC spell studios

MAGIC Spell Studios

MAGIC Spell Studios exists to support the entrepreneurial ambitions of our students and faculty who are seeking to publish and distribute films, games and interactive experiences or start new digital media businesses.  It also serves as a home to outside commercial activity in film production, digital design, and game development, welcoming companies to interact with RIT’s best creative minds.

Student designing on a digital drawing pad

Learn

MAGIC includes five state-of-the-art classrooms built around delivering hands-on curriculum in game design, 2D and 3D animation, and digital design. Students learn on the same hardware and software platforms used in industry while honing their technical and creative skills. A fully outfitted sound stage and post-production studios further enhance experiential education opportunities and permit faculty to introduce real-world film, animation, and digital media workflows to the classroom.

MAGIC was built in collaboration with RIT’s nationally ranked academic programs from the School of Film and Animation, School of Interactive Games and Media, and School of Design. Faculty from all three programs live and work in the building, developing curriculum and engaging students at the undergraduate and graduate levels across a full spectrum of courses.

Student wearing virtual reality goggles

Research

Faculty and students partner to work on sponsored research and independent study projects focused in film, games, AR/VR, and interactive experiences. Many of these projects are born through faculty portfolios and sponsorship, but MAGIC also proudly hosts and mentors student teams pursuing their own extracurricular interests. Dedicated laboratory space is available for faculty, research assistants, and independent student teams to live and work throughout the year.

Visit RIT Research

Browse the work of our resident Research Affiliates

Students working at a desk with 4 computers

Entrepreneurism

MAGIC provides a home for start-up incubation and the commercialization of digital media products.  Students bring their ideas and are supported with both business start-up mentorship and access to a full suite of technical tools. One of the most popular programs on campus is the MAGIC Maker Program, a competitive process where students pitch digital media product ideas and earn both co-op credit and start-up funding for publication and commercialization.

MAGIC Maker Program

Commercial Outreach

Commercial Outreach

MAGIC Spell Studios is uniquely positioned to spur economic growth throughout the Rochester region and New York state. Beyond training the next wave of digital media experts, our students are available to work as co-ops/interns and full-time employees in local businesses. MAGIC provides unique facilities that are open for business in film, games, and interactive media design. This activity spans the physical studio and post-production spaces to co-work suites available to host companies for long-term engagements.

MAGIC Spell Studios

Student posing for a picture in front of an arcade machine and a crazy plates graphic

Project Showcase

MAGIC was intentionally designed to showcase the creative output of our students and faculty and provide a performance platform for our campus and the Rochester community.  Everywhere throughout MAGIC, you can find evidence of the cool projects made and published through MAGIC Spell Studios. Come and visit to see and play some of the best film and games projects made with us!

Our work