Fall Shows 2011
Once again, students worked around the clock at the Viz Lab to finish their animation and video projects for the department's end-of-semester fall-shows. The first exhibition featured flatwork, sculptures, and animated projects created by students in the undergrad (VIST) program. The second event was the annual MS in Visualization (VIZA) “Fall Show.”
Master of Fine Arts in Visualization Approved
Approval of the Master of Fine Arts in Visualization degree program is the culmination of over forty years of efforts to bring a formally defined fine arts degree program to Texas A&M. The driving force behind the initiation of the MFA-V program is the fact that technology, science, math, art and design are inseparable in large segments of contemporary methods visual communication. Our existing Master of Science in Visualization has been performing exceptionally well in educating technical artists who are equipped to make an impact in the commercial world. We've only managed occasional successes, however, in our ability to impact higher education and the practice of studio art. With the MFA-V degree our graduates will be prepared to meet the global demand for digital art educators and be prepared to practice art as vocation.
Students Compete in IVC Competition
Nine students from the Department of Visualization competed in the sixth annual Immersive Visualization Competition hosted by the Immersive Visualization Center (IVC). David Monroe won second place for "A Glimpse Into the Next Dimension of Fractals." David explored the use of a program called Boxplorer to present a flythrough of three-dimensional fractals. Amy Richards, Rhiannon Martinez, and Oscar Camorlinga won 3rd place for a first-person game called "Circuitree." Set in a surrealistic forest of the computer world, a player must undo the damage inflicted by a mythical computer-worm. Other work presented at the IVC included Ganesh Rao's "Empyrean," Sowjanya Kollu's "Flesh," and "Tea Time" by Cameron Coker, Sage Hansen, and Christopher Schuchart.
2011 Viz Research Symposium
On the afternoon of October 18th, the Department of Visualization held its second annual research symposium. Following a format similar to "fast-forward" sessions held at SIGGRAPH, each presenter was given just a couple of minutes to present their current research efforts and their upcoming goals. These quick back-to-back presentations gave everyone an overview of the department's current research and creative endeavors.
VIP Tailgating
Twice a year, a select group of visualization industry partners(VIPs) gather and meet with faculty and students to discuss current needs and trends. Organized and led by Department Head, Tim McLaughlin, this group of visualization professionals review current course content , talk with faculty about student skill sets, and discuss the challenges graduates face when entering visualization careers. The fall-2011-VIP meeting concluded with an early morning tailgating experience shortly before the Aggies took the field to play the Baylor Bears. The food that morning was donated and prepared under the direction of Kyle Clark of Rusted Truck Ranch. Not only is Kyle a master-smoker, he happens to be a former student and the COO of ReelFX (a VFX studio based in Dallas).
Viz News
Fall Shows 2011
Once again, students worked around the clock at the Viz Lab to finish their animation and video projects for the department’s end-of-semester fall-shows. The first exhibition featured flatwork, sculptures, and animated projects created by students in the undergrad (VIST) program. The second event was the annual MS in Visualization (VIZA) “Fall Show.” Animated and video-based work exhibited... [Read more]
Master of Fine Arts in Visualization Approved
Approval of the Master of Fine Arts in Visualization degree program is the culmination of over forty years of efforts to bring a formally defined fine arts degree program to Texas A&M. The driving force behind the initiation of the MFA-V program is the fact that technology, science, math, art and design are inseparable in large segments of contemporary methods of visual communication. Our existing... [Read more]
Students Compete in IVC Competition
Nine students from the Department of Visualization competed in the sixth annual Immersive Visualization Competition hosted by the Immersive Visualization Center (IVC). David Monroe won second place for “A Glimpse Into the Next Dimension of Fractals.” David explored the use of a program called Boxplorer to present a flythrough of three-dimensional fractals. Amy Richards, Rhiannon Martinez,... [Read more]
2011 Viz Research Symposium
On the afternoon of October 18th, the Department of Visualization held its second annual research symposium. Following a format similar to “fast-forward” sessions held at SIGGRAPH, each presenter was given just a couple of minutes to present their current research efforts and their upcoming goals. These quick back-to-back presentations gave everyone an overview of the department’s... [Read more]
VIP Tailgating
Twice a year, a select group of visualization industry partners(VIPs) gather and meet with faculty and students to discuss current needs and trends. Organized and led by Department Head, Tim McLaughlin, this group of visualization professionals review current course content , talk with faculty about student skill sets, and discuss the challenges graduates face when entering visualization careers. The... [Read more]
Making an Aggie Ring
The fifty-nine first-year students in VIST 105, the foundation design class in the Department of Visualization, are already thinking about 2015, the year they graduate. Just mention that year to them, and a loud whoop is the response. That graduation goal was visualized in part Friday, Oct. 14, when the Vizzers assembled a ‘15 Aggie Ring mural. This was actually a surprise to the students involved.... [Read more]
Visualizing Nautical Archaeology
The work of former student Audrey Wells appears in the Fall 2011 quarterly journal of the American Bureau of Shipping. Working with Dr. Filipe Castro of Texas A&M’s Nautical Archaeology Program, Audrey created a three-dimensional model of the Nossa Senhora dos Martires, which was shipwrecked off the shore of Portugal in 1606. This interdepartmental project between visualization, archaeology... [Read more]
Students Win Best Experimental 3D Short
Current students Ganesh Rao, Jonny Greenwald, and recent graduate, Shyam Kannapurakkaran were awarded ‘Best Experimental 3D Short’ at this year’s 3D Film Festival held at the Los Angeles Film School. Using techniques similar to those of artist David Hockney, the students produced a stereoscopic video of the classical Indian dance known as Odissi. Because of the motion and fluidity... [Read more]
