HISTORY
In 2002, Richard (Chip) Benson, then Dean of the School of Art at Yale, convened a diverse group of individuals from both campus and the local community to address the challenge of establishing a unified standard for Color Profiles and Color Space. The early years of digital capture on campus had revealed significant technological disparities, complicating efforts to reach consensus. Unfortunately, initial meetings failed to produce clear outcomes, leading to the discontinuation of the initiative.
Nevertheless, informal discussions persisted, particularly among key figures such as John ffrench and studio heads like Matt Shirley and Melissa Fournier. These informal gatherings, often held over coffee in local campus cafes, gradually gained traction, attracting a growing number of participants. A pivotal moment occurred when a large group congregated at a local coffee shop, signaling a shift in momentum.
By 2009, the idea of establishing a more structured group with regular meetings began to take shape, resulting in the formation of Digital Coffee. John ffrench and Melissa Fournier emerged as de facto leaders, later joined by Chris Edwards as a co-leader. The group’s website served as a central hub for sharing resources, information about studios, standards, approaches, and ongoing projects, both on and off campus.
Digital Coffee meetings, typically held quarterly on campus and lasting about an hour, are hosted by participating studios with adequate meeting space. Each session starts with introductions and an overview of the topic at hand. Towards the end, participating studios offer insights into their identity and current projects, promoting knowledge-sharing and awareness of campus initiatives.
The Digital Coffee group has authored a Shared Practices document, providing guidance for the capture and documentation of still images on campus.
For those interested in contributing ideas or topics for future Digital Coffee meetings, your input is welcome and encouraged. The group values broad involvement and collaboration. Feel free to reach out with your suggestions.
Director of Digital Resources and Initiatives, Yale University Art Gallery
Digital Coffee Founder