Spring Break
Computer Lab Opened for Animation and Illustration Students
Jean Blomo
Daily Staff Writer
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"I thought, 'I know our technology is better - what can we do about this?'" Maihack said.
More than $100,000 later, HP, along with Dreamworks Feature Animation and Electronic Arts, opened an up-to-date lab specifically designed for use by animation and illustration students Friday in the Art building.
"When I came to visit the (old lab), I was disgusted," said Marilyn Friedman, head of outreach at Dreamworks.
The overhead projector screen was torn and students had to use their own laptops to support animation and rendering programs, such as Maya.
Professors of art and design, Courtney Granner and Alice Carter approached the three companies late last summer, asking for financial resources to help make the art and design department better.
In the past eight years, Carter said, art and design students and graduates have worked on 15 major motion pictures.
"It was amazing to see the talent from these students despite the fact they didn't have equipment," Friedman said.
The 15 computer stations HP provided, along with seven additional HP computers bought through an Electronic Arts grant, will give students a competitive edge in the booming industry of animation, Granner said.
"We are able to see a phenomenal blending with technology and art," Maihack said. "(Technology) unleashes more creativity."
Dreamworks storyboard designer Rob Koo, animation head Tim Cheung and production designer Guillaume Aretos, each taught three-week workshops to art and design students, lending their knowledge of the industry to aspiring students.
"Their instruction is so valuable - you can't put a price on it," Carter said.
The animators found they learned from teaching as well.
"With students, you just never know what to expect," Cheung said.
Koo, who took time away from his vacation to teach the workshop, said he had to learn how to structure a class and found students to be very sincere and enthusiastic.
"Usually the questions you get (as an instructor) are questions you've never asked yourself," Arteos said.
Cynthia Haugh, senior director of global talent hiring and resourcing, said Electronic Arts donated $75,000 to the lab.
The money, Haugh said, is more of an investment in the future.
"I was very impressed with the high quality of the students' talents," Haugh said. "I wonder - how many of these students are going to be our employees?"
Students were awestruck with the idea that they will be able to use the new lab to unleash their abilities.
"This is unbelievable," said Konstantin Abadjiev, a senior majoring in animation and illustration. "It's a huge deal finally being able to work on our projects."
Programs, such as Maya, Abadjiev said, require constantly updated technology, and students aren't able to keep up with their laptops.
"(The new lab) will give our students the same chance as private art schools," Carter said. "These are kids with dreams that can't afford $300,000 for school - but they're just as bright and ambitious."
There was a point, Friedman said, where she wasn't sure the lab would be possible, so Friday's opening was especially exciting for her.
"We've been working on it for a while, so to see it is just great," Friedman said.
