CSUEB grad forges new career path blending Ethiopian music, apps and space sounds

• April 10, 2013 5:00am

Described by the Washington Post as “a dreadlocked half-Ethiopian, half-African American hip-hop artist and video-game creator”, Cal State East Bay alumnus Ellias Fullmore, '11 M.A. Multimedia, is quickly making a name for himself as the gifted artist who is able to combine creativity with technology.

In his current role as Creative Director/ Lead UI Designer at AppSynth Media, Fullmore is responsible for determining the needs of the user then translating those needs into a functional design.  He said, “It’s a combination of research, customer service and graphic design. I got into the field as a way of leveraging my interest in design and technology.”

He was also featured in Wired magazine for his “Phone Home” remix Android app – an app that generates 2 million+ variations of Copperwire’s music single, “Phone Home,” based on any 10-digit phone number. Coppewire – of which Fullmore is a member – is a musical trio that infuses traditional Ethiopian music with beats from NASA’s star sounds  and sonified light curves from the SETI Institute. The song was also featured on MTV Hive.

Fullmore credits the CSUEB Multimedia Graduate Program for helping him to develop his technical skillset so that he is able to take advantage of the “hot” Mobile UI field.  “The Multimedia program provides a great combination of structure and flexibility,” he said. “The first year. you get introduced to core concepts but during your thesis year you get the opportunity to explore your own interest. It was during this time that learned how to 3D model and develop UI for mobile applications.” 

While studying at CSUEB, Fullmore presented his group’s thesis, SlipStream, at the Unite 10 gaming conference and Maker Faire. He credits both Rafael Hernandez, director of the Multimedia Program and associate professor of music, and Program Coordinator Raquel Arcia with helping him to take advantage of these opportunities. “They kept me sane,” he added.

His advice to current Pioneers interested in mobile technology? “Do it – especially if you have an interest in design! Learning to apply those skills to make technology more user friendly will significantly increase your viability in the job market.”

Note: Ellias Fullmore will be participating on the CSUEB Industry Job Panel - Business & Entrepreneurship on Monday, April 15, at 12pm

KL