CIDS ("Community Interdisciplinary Design Studio", is the current title) an award winning program, provides the opportunity to interweave scholarship with academia, professional development with research and service at local and national levels, and infuse creativity into collaborative student teamwork. CIDS establishes a theoretical and procedural foundation for the effective utilization of digital media in the design and collaborative process. As important are the skills, awareness and attitudes that students need to develop to succeed in the current media driven environment.