John Merlin Williams is the Executive Producer of the Digital Media Commons, and serves as the Director of the James and Anne Duderstadt Center. The Digital Media Commons (DMC) is a multi-lab/projects program supporting U of M faculty and students in the exploration of rich media applications to enhance collaboration in higher education. Prior to joining the UM in 2000, he was for 22 years founding partner, creative director and chief technical officer of an information design firm. His degree is in architecture from the U of M.

The Duderstadt Center (the "Dude") is a 250,000 square foot integrated media complex formerly known as the Media Union. Along with directors from the UM Art, Architecture and Engineering Libraries and the Executive Direcor of IT for the College of Engineering, we share stewardship of this facility that serves more than 10,000 students per day. The Dude is also home to the Digital Media Commons (DMC), where I serve as the Executive Producer.

The DMC was created as a an ecology of experimentation for collaborative learning using all forms of digital and traditional media. Multimedia labs, 3D virtual reality environments, electronic music composition and recording studios, rich-media conversion facilities and multimedia-enabled performance spaces are open for use by the campus community – 24x7. The DMC is also the home of the Sakai and BlueStream projects - changing the fundamentals of academic collaboration.

As the Lab Director for the Digital Media Tools (DMT) Lab I work with a staff of unparalleled dedication committed to maintaining the high quality and 24-hour-a-day availability of spaces heavily used by students and faculty for experimenting with multimedia resources.

• Video and Performance Studio – a 3500 sq.ft. high-bay performance space with all digital controls
• Audio Recording studio – 40 channel recording capability.
• Electronic Music Studios (2) – multiple synthesizer and 5.1 audio environments for composing. 24-hour availability.
• Multimedia Work Rooms (4) – for advanced video editing projects.
• GroundWorks – 2500 square foot lab for fully-automated media conversion and editing - 24-hour availability
• Video Conference Suite with large screen, multi-cast conference capability for up to 35 participants.
• Computer Training Labs (4) – 100 seats total