calebDIADDIGO - The Connector

STUDENT SHOWCASE
calebDIADDIGO
written by Manseen Logan // photographed by LuAnne DeMeo
F
OURTH-YEAR MOTION MEDIA DESIGN STUDENT Caleb Diaddigo has a story that he wants to share and
decided to tell this tale through motion media. His storytelling journey started when he received his first digital
camera at 12 years old. By the time he was 15, Caleb had included 3D animation and Adobe After Effects
as narration tools. Now, with only a few months until he receives his B.F.A., Caleb is the subject of our Student
Showcase.
Exactly what is motion media design? It’s not an easy term to define, but Caleb breaks it down into a manageable
concept. “Think about it like graphic design and motion,” he said.
“I WANT TO TELL
STORIES THAT
CONNECT WITH
PEOPLE AND
CHALLENGE THEM
TO THINK.”
That’s easy. If graphic design and movement had a baby, it would be called motion
media design. Right? Got it. But there is a lot more to motion media than just graphics
and motion. In fact, its broad range is why Caleb changed his major from animation
to motion media. “It has aspects of animation, it has aspects of film, it has aspects
of visual effects if you want it to,” Caleb mentioned, “It kind of pulls together a lot of
different things.” And though it’s often seen as a tool for advertisers and television
producers, he explains that motion media design can expand into many media. Its
pliability makes it the perfect vehicle for telling stories of hope and freedom, which
are the kind of stories that Caleb favors. “I want to tell stories that connect with people
and challenge them to think,” he stated. As a matter of fact, Caleb just teamed up with
SCAN MAGAZINE // SPRING 2015
STUDENT SHOWCASE
his sister, choreographer Rebekah Diaddigo, to produce
a dance trilogy about sex trafficking. The project, titled
“White Umbrella,” follows the story of a sex trafficking
survivor from bondage to redemption.
In a perfect world, Caleb could focus solely on creating
these types of meaningful stories and not have to
worry about bill collectors repeatedly flashing across
his cell phone screen. These projects would pay the
bills. But, as Caleb is aware, we don’t live in a perfect
world. He mentions that he looks forward to working
on a variety of professional assignments that range
from commercials and television graphics to thoughtprovoking personal conceptions. The only requirement
that he has is producing
quality work.
INTRODUCING QTEST
“AS LONG AS
Along with the 67
THERE’S PASSION
percent of gumptious
BEHIND THE IDEA,
millennials that Bentley
IT WILL RESONATE
University surveyed,
Caleb has dreams of
WITH WHOEVER
entrepreneurship. When
IS LISTENING.”
asked about his ideal
company to work for, he
replied, “It would be my own company. I would have a
small group of four to five motion designers. We’d work
small and we’d put out excellent work.”
Indeed, “excellence” is an important part of Caleb’s
philosophy. As he talks, he exudes a humble and refined
demeanor, speaking with intention and purpose. It’s
not hard to uncover the source of Caleb’s values. When
asked, he said, “God does not create us to just sit around
and do nothing. He creates us for a purpose. And he
creates us to reflect his glory to the world. And part of
that is by using the gifts that he gives you in the best way
that you can.”
In addition to his faith in Jesus, which fuels and pushes
him to do his best, Caleb is inspired by other designers
and good designs. Artofthetitle.com, Vimeo and
Motionographer.com (a motion design, animation and
visual effects site created by a SCAD graduate) are
some sites that keep Caleb motivated. But there is no
question about where his main motivation derives from.
“Flat graphic,” “2D,” “3D,” “subtle texture” and “rendering”
are terms that might roll over the heads of those not
familiar with motion media. However, it’s easy to
comprehend the passion that Caleb has for his craft. He
proves that there are many ways to narrate a story; as
long as there’s passion behind the idea, it will resonate
with whoever is listening.
JOURNEY
WHITE UMBRELLA
To see more of Caleb’s work, visit his
website: CALEB.DIADDIGO.COM
If the concept of motion design is still confusing,
view some of Caleb’s favorite title sequences from
the “Avengers” film and “Captain America.” There’s
movement and graphics. Simple.
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