Michael DiGaudio - Class of 2008 (M.A. in Interactive Multimedia Arts)
A degree from C.W. Post? Priceless.

How many priceless moments have you experienced in your life? Michael DiGaudio, who graduated with an M.A. in Interactive Multimedia Arts in May of 2008 from C.W. Post, is lucky enough to spend his days surrounded by them.

As an art producer for MasterCard's wildly successful "Priceless Picks" campaign, DiGaudio works with memories, using video editing, photography, voice editing and graphic design to help people share their adventures and experiences on Priceless.com.

"Some of the content is user submitted," DiGaudio said, "but more often than not our team goes out and finds the stories ourselves." The narratives run the gamut, from fishing in Alaska to taking drag racing lessons.

DiGaudio entered the IMA program in 2005 as an unemployed filmmaker and video producer/director. At the time he was temping at various jobs around Manhattan and Long Island. A film school graduate, he originally earned a degree in advertising.

"This program allowed me to combine my passions -- design and drawing, including a video element," DiGaudio said.

The 36-credit Master of Arts degree is designed for graduate students who wish to further their creative work in an interactive digital environment. The program provides diverse multimedia skills enabling each student to explore several disciplines while working within a chosen area of concentration.

About a year into his classes at C.W. Post, he was hired on a freelance basis by MRM Worldwide, a division of global advertising agency McCann-Erickson Worldwide, to work on the popular campaign, but the part-time work quickly turned into a full-time position.

"The program opened a lot of doors for me," DiGaudio said. "I feel really well prepared in many different applications. It definitely built up my skill set and laid a solid foundation of groundwork."

For more information, contact Patrick Aievoli, Director of the Interactive Multimedia Arts Program, at patrick.aievoli@liu.edu or visit http://myweb.cwpost.liu.edu/paievoli/finals/