UTD’s campus culture critically lacks third spaces. The meaning of a “third space” is a place separate from work and home, where people can socialize freely and at no cost. But pervasive commuter culture and suburban design leave many Comets wanting. Enter 3rd Space Digital.
3rd Space Digital is a club created in response to a perceived lack of community among creatives at UTD. Emeka Ohumaegbulem, a biomedical engineering junior and club president, noticed there wasn’t a specific place other alternative art groups could gather to interchange ideas and explore their identity.
“We’ve noticed that especially here at UTD and the Dallas space as a whole, there’s not really a strong emphasis on creative cohesion,” Ohumaegbulem said. “We just wanted a space where we could grow, hone our skills, and meet new people, and continue to just enjoy life.”
The Rate My Professors rating for the school’s social life is a measly 2.9 out of 5. UTD, from an outsider’s perspective, is seen as an antisocial school, and on campus, it may be hard for some people to break into friend groups, Ohumaegbulem said.
“There’s not really many places for people to go and meet new people or like enjoy themselves,” Ohumaegbulem said.
While the club advertises creative gatherings, it is open to everyone. Its main long-term offering is for students looking to flex their creative muscles by working on a magazine to showcase a culmination of their work. But its previous and upcoming events, which have taken place all across campus, have been general enough for anyone to hop in and join. It also offers mock court sessions, inspired by the “Ace Attorney” video game series, featuring whimsical, funny debates argued seriously.
“It was just some of these stupidest debates, like ‘is water wet’ type conversations,” Ohumaegbulem said. “It’s easily polarizing, but it’s not controversial in the sense that it’s affecting anyone’s well-being.”
The club’s branding is eye-catching, attracting people who might otherwise walk by a poster without a second glance. Jeyem Paule, a mechanical engineering junior, was the brain behind the infamous idea of taking an outfit selfie with a cat poster for a video. The poster brought in so many pictures that they had to set a limit, but the simple poster generated a lot of interest in the club and future events, Paule said.
“Everybody can take a picture in front of a flyer,” Paule said. “I think this type of marketing would definitely get not just creative people out there, but anybody.”
Given that the club’s events attract a general audience, the club’s officers have clarified that it is meant to be both a magazine and a “third space.” The magazine is meant to focus on the creatives in the club, or anyone who wants to try their hand at anything new, according to Paule.
“The editorial aspect of it was bringing the idea of greater people out there,” Paule said. “We thought photo shoots would be very popular, considering Dallas as a whole has this hidden niche of people who have a certain sense of fashion.”
3rd Space Digital plans to release both a physical and digital magazine by the end of the spring 2026 semester. The organization will be having a Valentine’s and Black History Month photoshoot in February and a screen printing event later that month.
“I’m hoping that the spirit of third space, even if our club doesn’t end up making it in the next five years, is held by the students that are still here,” Ohumaegbulem said. “We can let people know that we’re not just a commuter campus.
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