New exhibit draws inspiration, reflects experience of Black Lives Matter
A new art exhibit at Portland State University showcases 20 artists exploring themes of Black identity, resistance and resilience. The individual exhibits span varied media - from augmented reality comic book panels to vibrantly colored canvases. Amid the racial justice protests catalyzed by the murder of George Floyd in 2020, philanthropist Jordan Schnitzer created a program to award grants of $2,500 each to 60 artists in Oregon and Washington. We talk with J’reyesha Brannon and Steven Christian, two of the artists selected for the Black Lives Matter Artist Grant exhibit at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University. The exhibit is free to attend and runs through April.
See It To Be It - University of Nevada School of Medicine - 2022
UNR Med’s See it To Be It initiative provides opportunities for aspiring doctors to connect with medical students and physicians from groups underrepresented in medicine.
Interdisciplinary approaches to AR education and entertainment - 12/02/2021
Exploring interdisciplinary approaches to crafting compelling projects that others will want to learn and engage with.
AWE 2021 - Confronting Systemic Racism and Creating Safe Spaces in Real-Life with AR - 11/09/2021
In the midst of the Black Lives Matter protests around social injustice, Breonna Taylors' sister, Ju'Niyah, was grieving the loss of a loved one. This was complicated by the fact that she was receiving a barrage of death threats from racist counter protesters. In the midst of this upheaval, Breaonna's Garden was created as an augmented reality sanctuary and safe space for Ju'Niyah. A few months later, on the other side of the US, Portland Oregon became the epicenter of mass demonstrations to protest George Floyd's murder. A young, augmented reality creator, Steven Christian, used AR as a way to empower Black communities to express themselves through creativity, art, and technology. This panel will explore how virtual settings and creative technology can be tools for social justice and a means to cope with the realities of America's under-reported and ever-present caste system. Head of Unity's Social Impact group will interview two diverse creators on the ethos behind each project and how other underrepresented storytellers can utilize emerging tech to share their own experiences.
Meet Steven Christian: Creator Using AR For Good - 08/16/2021
Unity for Humanity is a program within Unity Social Impact that partners with creators to expand their social impact-driven work. As lead for the Unity for Humanity Program, I am fortunate to connect with inspiring creatives every day who are doing ground-breaking, world-changing work. Recently, I chatted with Steven Christian, founder of Iltopia Studios about his work, which combines art, education, and activism, and allows communities to actively participate in social change. In this interview, we explore his work, his journey into real-time 3D, some of the stand-out moments and challenges in his career, and his advice for other creators:
Creator & Founder of Iltopia Studios: Steven Christian - August 11, 2021
The thought of a college football scholarship to Hawaii for many high school athletes would be a dream come true! Steven Christian, the creator of Iltopia Studios, a former high school football standout and college scholarship athlete, knows the pressure of juggling college life with living needs all too well. If you are interested in an entrepreneur's journey from NFL possibilities to designing a new world full of endless capabilities, then this episode is for you!
Decoding Bias: Steven Christian On The Role Of Immersive Technology in Fighting Bias - May 11, 2021
What role can immersive technologies play in reducing bias and empowering marginalized communities? Using visuals from his latest projects, the owner of Iltopia Studios will discuss how he is harnessing augmented reality to help Black communities share stories, counter stereotypes and champion causes.
JAHAN MANTIN OF PROJECT INKBLOT AND STEVEN CHRISTIAN TALK DESIGN AND EQUITY DESIGN - The Visible Voices Podcast Episode 41
https://www.thevisiblevoicespodcast.com/episodes/IflYwypa3KYVxUt2298Tzg
Steven Christian & Jerry McGill: Creativity Ripples Through Community - April 21, 2021
Steven Christian & Jerry McGill at CreativeMornings Portland, Mar 26, 2021. Free events like this one are hosted every month in dozens of cities. Discover hundreds of talks from the world's creative community at https://creativemornings.com/talks
The Imagination Project Portland
Portland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem depends on creative community - Apr 12, 2021
Soul District Business Association taps tech to uplift Portland’s Black youth - March 29, 2021
Voices of XR: Steven Christian - March 17, 2021
I was honored to speak at the University of Rochester about Interdisciplinary Approaches to Problem Solving with Innovation and Emerging Technology. I spoke about the work I do with animation, augmented reality, and storytelling to explore my identity as a Black creator and the Black experience in America .
Wall Street Journal: The Future of Everything Festival
I was asked to speak at the Wall Street Journal Future of Everything Festival about how emerging technology can be used to empower Black Voices.
‘Create and conquer’ - Voices of XR - University of Rochester
I was asked to speak at the University of Rochester about Interdisciplinary Approaches to Problem Solving through Innovation, Creativity, and Emerging Technology.
Future Prairie Radio S4E3: What Speaks to Me
Medical student, retired football player, and augmented reality artist Steven Christian on making Black stories available to children of all ages, reading skill and comprehension level, making time for everything you love, and getting big dreams to come true.
Revisionist Path Episode:381 - January 11, 2021
Steven Christian’s motto is “create and conquer”, and that’s exactly what he’s managed to do with his career. While he started out as an athlete, a sports injury cause him to discover visual art, and he has reinvented himself as a multitalented cartoonist, podcaster, animator, and AR mobile developer. Oh, and he’s studying to apply to medical school. Talk about Black excellence!
Jordan Schnitzer Announces Winners of $150,000 Artist Grant
Black Realities Grant: Casual Conversations - October 24, 2020
Unity for Humanities Summit
Changemaker Showcase - Inclusive Storytelling
Exploring Blackness with innovative storytelling - Oct 22, 2020
In this video, creatives share how they are using immersive technology to tell their stories and inspire radical social change.
Travel Oregon Feature Story - November 16, 2020
Built Oregon Feature Story- September 20, 2020
‘My People’s Market’ highlights diverse entrepreneurs - September 25, 2020
Failed Hustler Podcast - October 19, 2020
In this episode, I spoke with Steven Christian the owner of iltopia. We talked about him being cut from college football team due to injury which changed his entire career path. Now he is a self-taught XR developer and applying for medical school in his free time.
This is the Failed Hustler Podcast, episode #21.
XR Talk: Episode 19 - Making AR for comic books - June 17, 2020
AWE Nite 2020: AR - A force For Social Change - June 29, 2020
Driven by recent events, this meetup is focused on how the AR community and tech can help increase inclusion of black entrepreneurs and creators in the XR industry, and will showcase work by black entrepreneurs, creators, and activists followed by a panel with Q&A.
Beaver Tales Podcast - April 22, 2020
Football is only one small part of Steven Christian's story. The former OSU defensive back spent much of his six years of collegiate athletics rehabbing from hip injuries, so he turned to a new outlet: art. As a talented illustrator he has produced comics, animated cartoons and augmented reality books as well as blogs, podcasts and more. His work is online at iltopia.com.
Colleges spend millions to recruit student athletes - March 1, 2019
Silicon Florist Profile - February 2, 2018
Literary Arts Profile
Celebrating the Art and Culture of Japan - May 6, 2017
Hey You, PSU! - November 14, 2016
Black Heroes Matter - September 9, 2016
KBOO Art Focus with Andre Middleton - April 5, 2016
OSU football: Steven Christian animates "The Business of Amateurs" - December 9, 2015
Gladiator looking for love - June 13, 2014
Chasing Paper: The College Debt Crisis - October 1, 2014
Oregon State Football Days
Prism - Spring 2013
Oregon and Oregon State Tied at 17 at the Half - November 29, 2013
Pac-12 names all-academic team - November 26, 2013
Creativity geared toward funding shelter - November 10, 2013
Student uses talents to benefit youth - November 3, 2013
Community Art-A-Thon Led by OSU’s Christian - October 31, 2013
Beavers Set to Battle Warriors Saturday - Sep 3, 2013
OSU Safety Steven Christian Nominated for Prestigious Off-the-Field Honor - August 15, 2013
After mono diagnosis, Steven Christian working to get healthy - August 07, 2013
Allstate, American Football Coaches Association Announce Record 151 Nominees for College Football's Top Community Service Award - July 16, 2013
Oregon State's Steven Christian granted sixth season - March 14, 2013
https://www.si.com/nfl/2013/03/14/oregon-state-steven-christian-eligibility
Steven Christian would 'rather not have wasted time' - August 24, 2012
UH transfer reportedly to OSU, can play immediately - June 21, 2012
Beavers get first commitment and a transfer - June 19, 2012
Warrior Beat - University of Hawaii Football
Monday notes - June 18, 2012
Graduation day - May 12, 2012
Balanced workout - June 21, 2011