From startup to mobile game studio
Freshman Caden Mockler describes the work environment of the mobile gaming studio Dots&Co.
At first glance, the spacious, bright orange lobby of The New York Times building isn’t quite what you’d expect.
But when you walk further in, you’re greeted by dozens of screens hanging from the ceiling. This installation, called “Moveable Type,” collects and displays millions of words and phrases that have appeared in the Times since its founding in 1851. It’s then when you realize where you are — an establishment that’s been at the forefront of journalism for more than 150 years.
When we arrived, we were greeted by Larry Buchanan, BAJ ’11, who is now a graphics and multimedia editor at the Times. He took us on a tour of the sprawling newsroom, which takes up several floors. As we walked through the building, Buchanan explained the different sections of the newspaper and where they were located. Sports, food, art, business, politics — you name it, The New York Times is on it.
Near the end of the tour, Buchanan took us to a slightly more secluded area of the building. Here, we saw a wall honoring all the journalists who have won the Pulitzer Prize for their work at the Times. This, in addition to seeing several framed notes from former presidents to the newspaper, definitely put the work and legacy of The New York Times into perspective.
But right when we were all thinking, “It can’t get better than this,” it did. Buchanan informed us that David Dunlap, a former reporter for the Times, was working on a small exhibit about the newspaper’s history and had invited us in to take a look. This small room, which is not open to the public, held artifacts such as printing plates, a bulletproof vest and several Emmy awards. Dunlap walked us through the exhibit, explaining the objects he’d collected along with their history and connection to the Times. It was a fascinating, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
This inside look at such an influential newspaper, along with Buchanan and Dunlap’s warm welcome and guidance, was extremely motivating. Seeing an IU alumnus doing important work was the encouragement we needed to finish the semester strong.