MICA names first Game Designer-in-Residence

MICA said Lishan AZ will be its first Game Designer-in-Residence.
AZ, who is originally from Silver Spring, will spend a year researching, creating and teaching at the arts college’s Game Lab.
“Lishan’s unique background working in tabletop, mixed reality, digital and community-based game projects highlights the diverse and powerful ways in which games can engage communities — which aligns closely with our program’s goals,” MICA Game Design Program Chair Jason Corace said in a statement.
The residency program is part of a wave of expansion for MICA’s game design program, which will also introduce a Bachelor of Fine Arts for the first time this fall. The Game Lab is housed in the Dolphin Design Center, which is also a new building.
During the residency, AZ will work on an interactive experience for public transit systems that seeks to connect users both through smartphones and non-digital tools. It’s designed to encourage a “warmer and more social atmosphere on Baltimore’s public transit,” according to a statement.
AZ, who was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 for games this year, completed an MFA at the University of Southern California.