Digital Academy: SideQuest

Are you fascinated by emerging technologies and looking to unleash your creative potential?

SideQuest offers creativity-focused labs tailor-made for you!

Once a month, one of our highly skilled Creative Technologists will help guide the exploration of specific topics within a focus area.

There are 3 focus areas (we call the tracks):

  • Illustration & Design

  • 3D Modeling

  • Media & Animation

Each track will have 3 related topics to explore over the duration of the SideQuest block with other learners.

  • The learning environment will feel like an exploration game.

  • Learners will be expected to work on challenges on their own time between SideQuest Sessions.



  • Participants will be able to keep in touch on a private Discord channel between sessions and will be able to work with IOB Creative Technologists throughout the entire experience.

Each SideQuest aims to teach people how to teach themselves, as well as how to interact with emerging technologies while unleashing the group's full creative potential.

 

Choose from Illustration & Design, 3D Modeling, or Media & Animation tracks

Offered: Wednesdays and Thursdays (See dates below for each track)
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 pm CST
Duration: Six, two-hour sessions, meeting twice weekly every three weeks
Format: Hybrid (Online and In-person at the UWM Lubar Entrepreneurship Center: 2100 E Kenwood Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53211)
Price: $600/block

Illustration & Design

Topics:
Week 1: Adding Color to a Sketch in Procreate
Week 2: Exploring Pixel Art in Aseprite
Week 3: Create Your Own Brushes in Procreate

Dates: 4/2-3, 4/23-24, 5/14-15

Technology Requirements:
Hardware: A computer that can run Adobe Creative Cloud software AND an iPad with an Apple Pencil
Software: iOS Adobe Fresco -OR- iOS Procreate, Aseprite

3D Modeling

Topics:
Week 1: Texture Painting
Week 2: Unwrapping
Week 3: Sculpting

Dates: 4/9-10, 4/30-5/1, 5/21-22

Technology Requirements:
Hardware: A computer that can run Blender and a 3-button mouse
Software: Blender version 4.3+

Media & Animation

Topics:
Week 1: Animating Characters
Week 2: Warping in Adobe Animate
Week 3: ‘Dem Bones: The Bone Tool in Adobe Animate

Dates: 4/16-17, 5/7-8, 5/28-29

Technology Requirements:
Hardware: A computer that can run Adobe Creative Cloud software AND an iPad with an Apple Pencil
Software: Adobe Creative Cloud (Adobe Animate + Media Encoder), iOS Adobe Fresco -OR- iOS Procreate

 

Because Digital Academy has prerequisites for participation, please email our education team to discuss your student and their interest prior to registering them for their first class.

New to Islands of Brilliance?
We’d love to help. Connect with Us before registering!

 

What Do Students Learn In SideQuest?

  • SideQuest aims to teach people how to teach themselves

  • Participants Learn technical software (such as: Procreate, Mental Canvas, Adobe Express, Procreate Dreams, Spline, Nomad, etc.)

  • Participants make creative work that helps build their resume & portfolio

  • Students establish meaningful community and professional connection

 

What are the Minimum Skill Levels required?

SideQuest Examples

  • Pixel Effects in Procreate

  • 3D Poster Exploration

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 Spring 2025 SideQuests

Illustration & Design Track

Step into the world of Illustration and Digital Painting and bring your creative visions to life. Each week introduces a unique creative challenge. This track calls to those ready to push their digital-painting boundaries, gaining digital techniques with each SideQuest.

Week 1

Adding Color to a Sketch in Procreate
April 2 & 3

Week 2

Exploring Pixel Art in Aseprite
April 23 & 24

Week 3

Create Your Own Brushes in Procreate
May 14 & 15

This Block’s Technology Requirements:

Hardware: A computer that can run Adobe Creative Cloud software AND an iPad with an Apple Pencil
Software: iOS Adobe Fresco -OR- iOS Procreate, Aseprite

3D Modeling Track

Explore the limitless possibilities of 3D modeling and bring your imaginative creations to life. Each week you’ll develop an essential 3D skill using industry-standard tools. This track enters a new dimension of design with SideQuest you take on.

Week 1

Texture Painting
April 9 & 10

Week 2

Unwrapping
April 30 & May 1

Week 3

Sculpting
May 21 & 22

This Block’s Technology Requirements:

Hardware: A computer that can run Blender and a 3-button mouse
Software: Blender version 4.3+

Media & Animation Track

Dive into the world of Animation, where creativity comes to life frame by frame. Explore animation fundamentals through engaging, hands-on projects. Each week introduces a new topic, building skills in movement and storytelling.

Week 1

Animating Characters
April 16 & 17

Week 2

Warping in Adobe Animate
May 7 & 8

Week 3

‘Dem Bones: The Bone Tool in Adobe Animate
May 28 & 29

This Block’s Technology Requirements:

Hardware: A computer that can run Adobe Creative Cloud software AND an iPad with an Apple Pencil
Software: Adobe Creative Cloud (Adobe Animate + Media Encoder), iOS Adobe Fresco -OR- iOS Procreate

 

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 Program Outcomes

  • Encourage lifelong learning and curiosity

  • Improve social skills and communication abilities

  • A feeling of connection within a community of peers

  • Develop new skills and knowledge in emerging creative technologies

  • Promote community-oriented and mindful behavior

  • Increased confidence to share their ideas and what they produce

This Program is a Good Fit For

  • The SideQuest collaborative learning labs are exclusively designed for neurodivergent individuals aged 14+ who have already proven their mettle by successfully completing IOB programming. Undertaking this expedition takes explorers on an exhilarating investigation of advanced software and techniques using computers and iPads.

  • Learn more about Side Quest skill levels here.

Frequently Asked Questions about SideQuests

  • SideQuest is Hybrid (online and in-person). We ask that students pick a modality (in person or online) when they sign up so IOB can allocate technology and support where needed. If a student needs to stay home and can participate virtually (and they have the required hardware and software), they may do so with prior communication that alerts the IOB of the change.

  • Digital Academy uses creative technologies and community as a bridge to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) development. All DA programs assume that the student can work with some level of independence in a group setting with roaming support by IOB staff including IOB Creative Technologists, Mentors, and/or Special Educators.

    Students who need one-to-one support may find other IOB programs – such as Foundation Workshops – a better fit. Please contact the IOB Team (connect@islandsofbrilliance.org) if you have specific questions regarding the support your student may need.

  • SideQuest: is offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4:00-6:00 pm CST. for 3 consecutive months.

  • SideQuest students are expected to continue experimenting or incorporating their new knowledge and know-how into their current and future projects. While not expected, students have the opportunity for continued growth and support through FigJam boards dedicated to the topic. This encourages them to continue learning related skills on their own time.

  • Typically, no. Our goal is to give students the ability to gain confidence over time as they respond to the challenges. There is quite a bit of support from students and mentors throughout workshops, which feels like partnering. Depending on the situation, a mentor may allow for limited partnerships to form.

  • Students get a badge ring when they enter DA Programming with slots for earning badges. These badges indicate each student's level of engagement and are not representative of any rank. Each Side Quest program has a unique badge that's earned when a student completes the program. Additionally, there are secondary badges associated with each Side Quest. These are achieved by sharing efforts related to the badge in the Side Quest. All Side Quest badges are given by IOB staff at the end of the program. Missed badges can be earned by working on prior projects and sharing the effort with chris@islandsofbrilliance.org.

  • No. DA sessions are not recorded. Attendance is critical to success. However, IOB understands sometimes unexpected circumstances and calendar conflicts arise. IOB will work with families where possible.

    Missed Side Quest sessions cannot be made up. Students who miss a night but want a badge must do the work independently and share it with chris@islandsofbrilliance.org to validate and award the badge. If the Side Quest has to be canceled by the instructor(s), it will be rescheduled at a later date.

  • Each SideQuest program is a unique learning lab across several sessions. Each session focuses on a specific aspect of a general topic and is not sequential. However, by signing up for any Side Quest in a topic, students gain access to the tutorials of all other Side Quest programs in that topic's Figjam board. IOB's Creative Technologist Team curates a list of outstanding resources focused on Digital Painting, Character Development, and creativity in 3D.

  • Click on the registration button above for the class that you are interested in.

  • Chris Willey, the Director of Technology at IOB, is the main person behind all Digital Academy programming. Please email chris@islandsofbrilliance.org with questions.

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