| | Applied Computer Graphics
The Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Graphics contains two facets (Technical, and Production) that cover two of the four primary areas that exist in the computer graphics and animation industry. The Computer Science Department covers the programming component in the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Option in Computer Graphics Programming. The Art Department covers the fourth area in the Bachelor of Fine Arts Option in Electronic Arts with pattern Computer Animation Studio. The BS in Applied Computer Graphics with Options in Production and Technical contains a wide variety of courses in graphics and related fields along with courses necessary for a minor in either Art Studio or Communication Design.
The spectrum of jobs and needs in the computer graphics and animation industries requires not a single focus from a single individual, but a varied set of skills and talent among a diverse set of collaborative project team members. Artists knowledgeable in the principles of graphics, animation, and computer graphics tools are needed to assist in the creative process of a project. These collaborative projects require technical directors who do a myriad of tasks from modeling and composting, to programming (software and plug-ins) and writing scripts (programming), as well as organizing the entire shot or scene to produce the digitized images. These technical directors would need strong programming skills and have an equally strong eye for realistic scenes (lighting, layout, etc.) - a trained eye (where art comes into play). To assist the technical directors in developing the scenes, production team members are needed who are versed in a variety of software packages and who have modeling skills, paint skills for texture mapping, blue screening knowledge, and knowledge of cameras, studio setup, and editing. These production members would not necessarily need to know programming but might need to write plug-ins; they would definitely need to draw but would not necessarily be artists, though they would need the ability to communicate via storyboarding. The production members of a team would edit and produce the final pieces with special effects. In addition to these team members, these projects often require computer graphics programmers to create tools and special effects. These programmers need extensive skills in programming and user interface and would need basic knowledge of existing graphics and animation tools, as well as art and photography. The opportunities and tasks within the computer graphics and animation industries require project team members with a varied set of skills and talent working in collaboration. The proposed degrees provide students with the background and skills needed to be productive members of such diverse teams.
In addition to collaborative projects with artists and production specialists, computer graphics programmers and technical directors with programming skills and backgrounds in art and communications would find career opportunities in a large and diverse set of industries utilizing computer graphics and animation. These computer graphics and animation programmers are needed in media industries (broadcast, print, video, etc.), advertisement, entertainment (television, motion pictures, video and computer games, etc.), scientific visualization, medical imaging, and a host of other fields. Thus, both the Applied Computer Graphics Technical Option students and the Computer Graphics Programming students will find additional career opportunities with their software engineering and programming skills.
In order to establish a complete and effective program in computer graphics and animation, students should be educated and trained in more than just a single facet. By embracing all four facets, the overall program would provide the forum for learning the skills needed. It would foster the talent required for each of the areas and would impart early and thoroughly the skills of communicating and collaborating among team members. With all four facets, the computer graphics program would have the potential to develop into a complete and respected program which would produce skilled and knowledgeable students possessing the communication and collaboration skills necessary to work on team projects. | |
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