Computer Graphics World

Education Supplement 2013

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Education Supplement Full Sail students use a range of technologies, including access to this mocap studio. also provided SCAD with the company's patented 3D lens and glasses for permanent use, allowing the university's film and digital media students to screen their projects in stereo 3D. Beyond the Tools All the schools agree that giving students the right tools is just part of the equation. To complete the formula, they also need to be sure students know how to use the tools and are instructed in the creative process. Peter Patchen, chair of the Department of Digital Arts at Pratt Institute, is among those who embrace this concept. "Pratt Institute's Department of Digital Arts offers an arts-based degree in which we place technology at the service of an idea. We believe the greatest creativity and learning come from a vested interest in personal expression," he says. "Our objectives are to help students grow conceptually while acquiring the technical expertise to explore their ideas in sophisticated ways. Our graduates are successful in both the fine arts and the creative industries because the department is a hybrid of these two worlds." Cutting-edge technologies and industry-ready skills vary across the school's Department of Digital Arts degree programs. All the master's degree students, including those in the digital imaging program, are required to take a basic programming course. After this, animation and motion-arts program students continue to learn Python scripting for 3D applications. 10 • Education Supplement • July 2013 Beyond the basics, Pratt's interactive arts students continue to learn coding in Max MSP, Open GL, C++, iOS, or other software as needed, as well as building custom hardware and interfaces. Other technologies in which students are instructed include laser cutting, 3D printing, 3D scanning, renderfarm basics, as well as some motion capture, Blackmagic cameras/ greenscreen work, projection mapping, and fabrication of custom hardware. In addition, Pratt's Center for Continuing and Professional Studies (CCPS) serves adult professionals who are interested in updating their skill sets and staying competitive in an uncertain job market. "We have offered computer graphics certificate programs since 1985, and currently offer several career tracks in our Computer Graphics Certificate Programs, including Computer Animation and Video, ComputerAided Design and Visualization, and Electronic Imaging and Illustration," says Karen Miletsky, interim director for CCPS. Students in those programs take several levels of coding classes, including Responsive Web Development for Designers and PHP programming. The computer animation students also learn Autodesk 3ds Max and Maya software. Within the Computer Animation and Video track, CCPS teaches motion capture and the use of Autodesk MatchMover and MotionBuilder. By next spring, the center plans to offer 3D printing. Raymond Yan, senior administrator at DigiPen, is of the same mind. At DigiPen Institute of Technology in Redmond, Washington, the focus is not on chasing niche technologies as much as it is focusing on the foundation art and animation concepts. "It's not to say that we don't stay current with core production software, but we firmly believe that the competitive edge of our students must come from a deep level of traditional art and animation skills, combined with a solid creative process to help them find the visual solutions that studios need in order to get the job done," he says. The DAVE (Digital Animation and Visual Effects) School offers an intensive oneyear program for computer artists at its facility, strategically located on the backlot at Universal Studios. There, the students receive intensive skill and software training using a wide range of tools, including CalArts students are known for pushing boundaries, such as they do here with Kontrol, a gesture-recognition project. Wacom Cintiqs. "We are committed to having the current version of the latest technology," says Jeff Scheetz, school director. In addition, DAVE School students use a working Hollywood soundstage, a stereo 3D screening room, a 12-camera Vicon mocap setup, a 3D printer, RED camera, and an extensive greenscreen cyclorama. "Our stereo training has put over 40

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