ABOUT THE COVER Computer Graphics: What ™s It All About? Hans Westman Computer Graphics Cover Editor I ˜d like to take the opportunity to thank all the people that have been so generous in allowing their artwork to be used for Computer Graphics issue covers these past few years. The variety of images has truly been enriching, helping us better understand and appreciate the ongoing development of computer graphics. Software and hardware now allow such a high level of refinement to the degree that common expectations have limited what is visually acceptable to a savvy public, due in part to high profile markets such as television, feature film and video games. For a digital artist that works in a competitive industry, the guidelines are clear “ or are they? Something Computer Graphics has tried to be consistent in is promoting the innovation lying at the heart of the technology. It is also one of the common denominators shared by the contributors who say œThe guidelines are not clear, so let ™s take a closer look.  That is where the distinction between artist, scientist, researcher, teacher and student becomes less defined as they all stumble in the same general direction towards discovery. In school we are not only taught to read and write but how those tools are used to contribute to the arts and how they are used for preserving vision, voice and meaning. Computer graphics is just as much about the abstracts of writing code or digital archetypes, as it is about the tangible language of imagery that manifests. Through emerging digital technology, it lends itself well to preserving the artifacts and rituals of world culture and to experiencing them through the creation of virtual worlds and realities. Programs in institutions of higher education can play a big role in preparing new innovators for their roles in computer graphics by providing resources for their œself  discovery and the means to share the learning experience with others. Computer Graphics has presented a few over the years and I sincerely hope there will be many more in the future that are interested in sharing by sending contributions to the issues that will continue through publication on line. Front Cover Hans Westman. Frame from the film chapter œThe River  in Immersion, 2005. Back Cover Hans Westman. Frame from the film chapter œWings  in Immersion, 2005. The film can be viewed at http://www.westmandesigngroup.com/ immersion/. About the Cover Editor Hans Westman has been active as an artist and educator in both Sweden and the U.S. since 1976. He discovered animation as an art form in the late ˜70s, which resulted in an experimental film entitled Unitism. In 1987 he was exposed to computer manipulated imagery and has been working professionally with the medium ever since. He is currently the Academic Department Director for Media Arts & Animation at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Hans Westman Academic Department Director Media Arts & Animation The Art Institute of Pittsburgh 420 Boulevard of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1328 Tel: +1-412-291-6409 Email: hans.westman@gte.net Computer Graphics

/lp/association-for-computing-machinery/computer-graphics-what-s-it-all-about-4QnjpAE8sV