The Eight Annual Children's New Media Design Institute

November 2-4, 2008 in Lambertville, New Jersey

Registration is now open

"An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it."*

Participants gather in the lobby of the Inn at Lambertville Station, where the event is held each year.

About the Institute

Wiki

Register online

Seats remaining, registration & payment information

Planning Your Trip

Additional Information

Speaker Bios

Download a copy of the brochure (PDF)

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE
Dust or Magic events are designed to help individuals make better interactive media products.

View a Movie
(in QuickTime) of highlights of the first Dust or Magic Institute or see some pictures (in QuickTime) of the last Dust or Magic Institute

PRIOR DUST OR MAGIC
ATTENDEES
INCLUDE

360KID
Apple Computer

Animusic

ARS Media

Astronomico di Padova

Baby Einstein

Carstens Studios

Columbia University

Course Crafters

Dana Shields Design

Delta Editora

Disney Interactive

Dolphin Inc

Drexel University

PREL

ETS (Educational Testing Service)

Encore Software

Evan-Moor Fablevision

Fisher-Price

Garage Games

Her Interactive

Highlights for Children

Hulabee Entertainment

ImaginEngine

Jersey Cow Software

Kinder Magic Software

Knowledge Adventure/VU Games

LeapFrog

Legacy Interactive

Mattel

Microsoft

Miss Maggie's Earth Adventures

NBC 10

Noodleworks

Riverdeep, The Learning Company

Scholastic

School Zone Interactive

Sesame Workshop

Sunburst

TERCworks

Terzio

The Markle Foundation

THQ

University of Denver

University of Maryland

USA Today (Education)

Viewpoints Research Institute Inc.

Vivendi Universal

VTech

OVERVIEW
Dust or Magic is an annual show-and-tell review of the past year in children's technology. The demonstration-intensive three day institute is designed for individuals who need to understand the latest children's interactive media products, in the context of known theories of child development and play patterns. Because participants stay at the same Inn and come from a variety of perspectives, the event has a retreat feel to it. Time is put into the agenda so that there are opportunities to try out the latest products in both formal and informal settings. As with previous Dust or Magic Institutes, the agenda is planned around the products, and videos of child testers using key products help ground the discussion. Throughout the session, there are presentations by developers, reviewers and researchers on current topics.

Our goals for each participant:
• Let you try new products, and illustrate key strengths and weaknesses.
• Introduce the fundamental principles of design as applied to current technology.
• Contribute to your personal vision of "dust" or "magic."
• Share elements of successful design.
• Provide objective feedback on products in the works.
• Let you freely browse a library of current products.
• Illustrate opportunities in the current market.
• Network, make lasting friendships and try new ideas.

2008 DRAFT AGENDA
Day 1, Sunday

Day 2, Monday

Day 3: Tuesday

PLANNING YOUR TRIP

If you have any questions, call MaryBeth at Children's Technology Review at 908-284-0404.

  "I've studied many of the same child development theories that you presented and have tried to implement as much as possible. What I found most valuable were the video clips you played, showing those theories at work." Rob Barrett, Sr. Designer, Disney Interactive

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Arrival: Newark Liberty International Airport is the closest airport to Lambertville, NJ. Please keep in mind that you will need to arrive early enough to allow yourself plenty of time for travel to Lambertville (at least a one-hour drive). Registration in Lambertville for Dust or Magic begins at 4:30 PM; check-in time for The Inn at Lambertville Station begins at 2:00 PM (hotel information below).

Departure: Please check out of the hotel first thing on Tuesday morning, with your bags ready to go. Bring your bags to the Riverside Room. The formal checkout time is 11:00 AM. To allow enough travel time to the airport, plan your flight to leave after 4:30 PM. (Plan to arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport at least 1 hour prior to your flight time; 2 hours for International.) See below for ground transporation information.

Ground Transportation: As part of your conference fee, we provide ground transportation to and/or from Newark Liberty International Airport. In order for us to guarantee your ride to and/or from the airport, we need your travel plans 2 weeks prior to the conference. We will make every effort to accommodate your travel arrangements provided we have this information NO LATER THAN Thursday, October 25, 2007. We cannot guarantee that last-minute change requests will be accomodated, (this includes any change requests to the ground transportation schedule the day of departure from Lambertville).

From Newark to Lambertville: If you would like us to provide ground transportation arrangements to and/or from Newark, please contact MaryBeth Griffith (908-284-0404) as soon as possible; or you can take the Trans-Bridge Bus (908-730-6552--tickets with receipt will be reimbursed). Chris will notify you by email with final transportation instructions a few days prior to the conference.

The Trans-Bridge bus line is the fastest and easiest way to get to Lambertville. Plan to arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport no later than 12:15 PM Sunday (for the late bus, see below). After you pick up your baggage, go to the Trans Bridge/Olympia Trails ticket counter located in the claim area of Terminal A, B or C. Purchase a ticket on the Trans-Bridge Bus. Ask for directions to the pickup gate. The bus will drop you approximately two blocks from the Lambertville Station parking lot, at the Sunoco station. Walk toward the river, along Bridge Street. The Inn is the last building on the left before the bridge to PA. There are two bus options to Lambertville on Sunday: 10:45 AM (depart Newark Liberty) 12:40 PM (arrive Lambertville); or 3:15 PM (depart Newark) 4:45 PM (arrive Lambertville).

From Lambertville to Newark: If you are planning on returning to Newark Liberty International Airport via the Trans-Bridge Bus, please contact MaryBeth Griffith (908-284-0404) in advance.

There are two bus options to Newark on Tuesday: 1:55 PM (depart Lambertville/Sunoco) 3:15 PM (arrive Newark); or 5:50 PM (departs Lambertville/Sunoco) 7:10 PM (arrive Newark). Each bus continues to NYC/Port Authority, arriving about 30 minutes after the Newark Liberty Airport stop.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS
The Dust or Magic Institute is held at The Inn at Lambertville Station. We have blocked the entire Inn (45 rooms--see below) for Dust or Magic participants/speakers. In order to guarantee your room, please make your reservation with The Inn (609-397-8461) by October 25. (Rooms are on a first come, first serve basis.) After that date, we cannot guarantee you will be able to make room reservations at The Inn. However, they will be happy to help you find comparable accommodations nearby. The Inn at Lambertville room rates for Dust or Magic are as follows: $115/night (standard room, one queen bed); $120/night (deluxe room, a larger room, some have two queen beds); $150/night (suite, one king bed). You must identify yourself as a Dust or Magic participant in order to get these rates. (Note: The Dust or Magic rate does not apply for a Saturday night stay.) Lodging is additional, and not included in the registration fee.

TRAVEL TIPS
You can view detailed maps to The Inn at Lambertville Station (11 Bridge Street Lambertville, NJ, 08530; 609-397-8461) with Google Maps, MapQuest or Expedia. Here's the view from a satellite. Note that if you plan to arrive on Saturday, rates can be significantly higher ($100 or so). If the Inn is full, try this list of local inns, B&Bs and hotel. If you choose to stay in New York City the night before, you can catch the Trans-Bridge bus directly to Lambertville, which leaves from Gate 10 or 12 (these can change) of the New York Port Authority terminal. The bus will drop you about 4 blocks from the hotel. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter at Port Authority.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Google Maps, MapQuest or Expedia
From New York City: (approximately 90 minutes) Holland or Lincoln Tunnel to NJ Turnpike South to Exit 14. I-78 West to I-287 South, to Route 202 South (Flemington Exit) in Somerville (careful, don't get off too early. Watch for signs to Flemington). Take the last exit before the toll bridge into PA (Rt. 29) turn LEFT to downtown Lambertville. Watch for BRIDGE street. The Lambertville Station is 11 Bridge, located just before the bridge into PA.

From Philadelphia: (approximately 50 minutes) I-95 North to New Hope Exit 31. Left at stop sign onto Taylorsville Road. Go 5 miles, through 2 stop lights. At stop sign, go left onto Route 32 North for 4 miles. Find your way to the downtown. The Inn at Lambertville Station is on the left just before the bridge.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

*The quote that inspired the title of this institute comes from Bob Hughes’ book Dust or Magic: Secrets of Successful Multimedia Design (Addison Wesley). www.dustormagic.net . The quote comes from Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)

ABOUT THE DUST OR MAGIC INSTITUTE (by Warren Buckleitner)
This event was inspired from the annual Bologna New Media Prize juror "summits" that were held from 1997 - 2002. Imagine seven technology editors from around the world, each with strong ideas about his or her own set of favorite products -- holed-up for a weekend in a single room with over 400 new products to demonstrate. Our goal was to choose seven winners with some attempted degree of accuracy. It was hard work and the debate was intense. We each left Bologna with an expanded practical knowledge of the "state of the art," and we were also able to hear the opinions of other reviewers, with completely different cultural and personal views.

The first Dust or Magic Institute was designed to recapture this atmosphere, by bringing recent products, in working condition, into a place where they could be freely and critically demonstrated by people who are passionate about the potential of interactive media for children.

ABOUT THE NAME
In Spring of 2001, plans for the first institute were underway. Aleen Stein, then of Scholastic/Organa, had given me a copy of a book by Bob Hughes called Dust or Magic: Secrets of Successful Multimedia Design. Bob's title was inspired from a quote from Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), as follows: "an idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it." I asked Bob if I could use the title of his book for the type of event I was thinking about. Bob's reply was 'Matsuo wouldn't mind.' So in the spirit of international cooperation, open source thinking and the desire to make better digital environments for children, we share the Dust or Magic name. Thanks to Bob and Aleen. You can learn more about Bob's thinking on interface design at http://www.dustormagic.net

PHOTOGRAPHS & INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
A photographer may be present during the sessions and it is possible that a section of the dialog may be recorded, used in a podcast, or you may show up in somebody's blog. If you wish to have the use of your photograph or voice restricted in any way or do not want your opinions on public record, please notify us in advance. It is perfectly OK (and common) for individuals, for whatever reason, NOT to have their voice recorded or their photograph taken. You may have also noted a rather unique group picture that has become a bit of a tradition. Your participation in this photo is also optional.

INTERNET ACCESS
The Inn has a wireless Internet. However, if you have a site to demonstrate, please bring an archived copy on a laptop computer.

WHAT TO BRING
1. Literature to share (optional). If you wish to have material available for distribution at the conference, please send 70 copies at least 10 days prior to the Institute to DUST OR MAGIC, c/o Chris Grabowich, CTR, 120 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. Note that participants will be given a three-ring binder, so we recommend drilling copies of papers if possible for easy storage.
2. A notebook computer (optional). There will be a large library of products for testing, as well as a video projector and sound system for large group demonstrations.
3. A product to demonstrate (optional). There will be both formal and informal opportunities for the demonstration of one product or project that could be classified as “magic”, with feedback opportunities from the group.

ATTIRE (Current weather in Lambertville)
Dress is casual (slacks, sweaters or whatever is appropriate to the season).

SPEAKERS

Dust or Magic speakers represent product managers, reviewers and researchers who bring a working knowledge of the latest products.

We welcome your ideas for 2008 speakers.

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"I've been corresponding with several participants already and all have had nothing but positive feedback about their own experience...the location, the participants, the curriculum, the staff." Scott Mowry, Design Director, Highlights for Children

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT

Call
800-993-9499
between 9:30 and 5:00 PM EST

 "This was a new field for me. This event made me think of all the content possibility we have to offer. It was such an education in what is happening, working and not working in the field today. I enjoyed it immensely. I was impressed by CTR's dedication to quality product development." Joy Evans, Evan-Moor Educational Publishers

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TUITION:
Tuition is $1480 for one person, $990 for two or more, or $395 for the prior speaker rate (for last year's speakers -- please call to make these arrangements), which includes all meals but Monday night, transportation to and from Newark airport (if needed) and workshop materials. Lodging is additional, and not included in the registration fee. (Please see Planning Your Trip and make lodging arrangements directly with The Inn at Lambertville Station). In order to insure the quality of discussion, group size is limited to 60. Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the order in which the tuition payment is received. No more than five participants from one company are permitted, and other restrictions may apply. To register by phone, call 800-993-9499 between 9:30am and 3:00pm EST. To register online, click here.

AVAILABILITY:
Call 800-993-9499 or 908-284-0404 from 9:30am - 3:00pm EST. You can register online with a VISA, Mastercard or American Express. Your credit card will not be charged until your space is confirmed. We limit the group size for quality reasons. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on when tuition is received.

CANCELLATIONS:
Tuition is 100% refundable up to October 1, 50% refundable from October 1 to October 20, and non-refundable after October 21. Your Inn room can be canceled up to 48 hours prior to the start of the event (please contact the Inn directly). In the event that the Institute is postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, you will have the option to receive a tuition refund or to keep your seat for the next proposed date.

The dates for 2009 are Nov. 1-3