The Institute of Digital Intermedia Arts and Animation is an arts and research center established as part of the Digital Exchange - a digital media initiative at Ball State University's Center for Media Design funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc. The institute is an interdisciplinary, collaborative research and studio environment that explores intersections between art and technology. Students, faculty and industry engage in projects employing technologies such as virtual reality, visualization, simulation and human computer interface. Students connect to
regional, national and international partners through this project-based learning center in the production of innovative digital media projects. The centerpiece of the IDIAA is an immersive seminar in virtual worlds that provides an experiential, project-based learning environment, investigating the forefront of discourse in emerging media design.