Area 49 Ignites Innovation

Area 49, a technology-rich space designed to spark ideation, innovation and entrepreneurial research and development, is open in J. Murrey Atkins Library

Students and researchers can use these designated spaces located on the library’s second floor as an extension of the classroom or to innovate on their own — with workshops, classes and ideation sessions available to get them started.

In addition, students are able to check out digital and 360-degree video cameras, audio recorders, tripods, iPads, projectors, circuitry kits and other equipment.

“Area 49 provides students and faculty the space and technology to create what they envision and gain experience with technologies they will experience in the workplace,” said Anne Cooper Moore, the library’s dean.

Area 49 features:

EZ Video Studio

EZ Video Studio

Easy-to-use, all-in-one, soundproof audio and video recording studio, equipped with a Blackmagic Design Micro Studio Camera 4K; Sennheiser MKE 600 shotgun microphone; SlimBANK T18 RGB LED lighting; Samsung NU8000 65-inch HDR UHD Smart LED TV; and a blue screen to capture lectures, presentations and video content.

Gaming Lab

Gaming Lab

Bookable gaming stations equipped with an Alienware gaming PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 4 Pro. Games, controllers and headsets for use with the consoles can be checked out—or students can bring their own games and accessories.

Makerspace

Makerspace

3-D printers, laser cutter, desktop CNC routers, sewing machines, paints, wood, circuitry kits and textiles for all kinds of high-quality making. Visit make.uncc.edu to learn more about other campus makerspaces.

Multimedia Lab

Multimedia Lab

Hardware and software to support professional digital media production. Included are ten 27-inch Retina 5K iMacs with Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, Final Cut Pro and iMovie to facilitate video and audio production. Also available is a whiteboard for storyboarding, planning and collaboration.

Virtual reality lab

Visualization Lab

Virtual reality, digital scholarship activities, data analysis and visualization, GIS and more. It’s equipped with a 86.5-inch by 284-inch  widescreen display, Panasonic projectors, Alienware PC, HTC Vive virtual reality system, Dell PC and Epson Short-throw Projector with interactive SmartBoard/Laptop combo.

Teaching and Technology Theater (T3)

Flexible classroom and experimental teaching space for workshops, demonstrations and instructions.