Growing up, I was the kid who got up early to watch Ultraman save the universe, Speed Racer blaze in the Mach 5 around the world, and Marine Boy swim through danger with his jet boots, boomerang, and trusty dolphin sidekick, Splasher. (Yes, I may have re-enacted full episodes in the bathtub as a kid, don’t judge.) Little did I know I’d still be chasing stories decades later, just with less spandex and more Adobe Creative Suite.
When I enrolled in Quinnipiac’s ICM program, I wasn’t trying to hit the reset button on my career. As a Sr. Learning Content Developer at Merck, I already had the technical chops. However, I wanted to sharpen my visual storytelling skills, unlock my creative side, and expand my toolbox to bring fresh ideas to the table. This program did exactly that and then some.
Discovering New Dimensions (No Cape Required)
I thought I had interactive media pretty figured out. I’ve been developing eLearning courses, editing videos, writing video scripts, and developing SharePoint sites for a while. But let me tell you, this program was like stepping through the multiverse. Suddenly, I was exploring the worlds of UX, visual design, digital storytelling, and content strategy, and I quickly realized there was way more to this universe than I had imagined.
Turns out, these disciplines don’t live in silos. They overlap and enhance each other; when you understand how they work together, your work levels up quickly. I found myself speaking the language of designers, writers, and developers more fluently, like an interactive media Avenger.
Projects That Pushed Me (and Made Me Laugh)
From recording podcast interviews about SFX makeup to creating stop-motion animations with toys that may have been borrowed from my childhood collection, every project stretched me. In Motion Across Media, I had the opportunity to work with After Effects and tell stories using Ken Burns-style effects. Audio and Video Production had me location scouting, storyboarding, and editing multi-camera shoots, including a heartfelt doc about a friend chasing his dream of flying helicopters. And don’t even get me started on Visual Design; mood boards, type specimens, poster designs… It was like finally being handed the secret decoder ring to all the cool branding I’d admired over the years.
The Biggest Takeaway? Embrace the Process
Here’s what I’ll carry with me: don’t be afraid to fail, and don’t over-rely on tools. The story comes first. The tools just help you bring it to life. Whether I’m designing eLearning content, editing video, or brainstorming a campaign, I now start with intention and sometimes include a comic book reference or two. At Merck, I’ll continue to create engaging, visually polished learning experiences. Outside of work, I plan to maintain the creative momentum with personal projects, such as stop-motion shorts and delving deeper into special effects makeup, all for fun and to keep that Marine Boy imagination alive.
Editing in progress—each cut, transition, and frame with purpose. -Tony DeRose
What’s Next for this Marine Boy and Splasher?
I want to be the person at Merck that people go to when they need a creative solution with a little spark. The ICM program has helped me grow into that role. And personally? I’m just getting started. Whether it’s clay models, character makeup, or storytelling underwater with Splasher by my side, I’m keeping the creativity flowing.