Sponsor Profile: Fanshawe College

Fanshawe College is one of the premier design colleges in not only Ontario, but Canada. One of their most exciting programs, and one that would primarily interest DIG attendees is the Multi Media Design and Production program. According to their website "If you like movies, websites, and games that blow you away with special effects and animation, you'll be right at home in the Multi-Media Design and Production program. Take your creative skills to the next level and gain experience in computer-based web design and programming, 3-D, special effects, animation, game design, effects for film and video design for print. You'll get hands on, practical training from industry professionals and have the freedom to create you own visual and audio masterpieces."

Here's a video that gives a first hand account from the students about how Fanshawe was the perfect choice for them

One of these industry professionals, Dan Rickard, will be on hand at this years DIG conference. Having worked on dozens of games including Batman Arkham City and Arkham Asylum, Borderlands, Army of Two 40th Day, Hulk, Wanted, Blacksite, Sacred 2, and most of the Battlefield series, Dan's experience speaks volumes as to the kind of quality instruction and expertise that Fanshawe provides its students.

In his session, Animation Workshop: Character Creation Dan will use game development tools Mudbox, 3ds, and Photoshop for character creation.  Delegates will learn to develop a high poly sculpt, a low poly mesh, map creation and texturing, Lip Sync animation, and full body animation of biped characters interacting in a fight sequence.  The workshop will take place Friday November 19th as part of the DIG 2010 Conference. You can register online for the conference workshop!

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Dan Rickard Leading Animation Workshop at DIG 2010

Dan Rickard is joining the DIG 2010 line-up to provide delegates with an Animation Workshop.  Dan is an accomplished 3d artist specializing in animation and character design.  He has worked on dozens of games including Batman Arkham City and Arkham Asylum, Borderlands, Army of Two 40th Day, Hulk, Wanted, Blacksite, Sacred 2, and most of the Battlefield series.

Over the past 11 years Dan has worked at every artistic stage of game development with DICE Canada and has also been Art Manager and Animation Lead at Redjade. While freelancing through contract work Dan has recently begun instructing at Fanshawe College where he teaches introductory and advanced 3d Animation and Character Design.  His course focuses on modeling, texturing, and animation.

In his session, Animation Workshop: Character Creation Dan will use game development tools Mudbox, 3ds, and Photoshop for character creation.  Delegates will learn to develop a high poly sculpt, a low poly mesh, map creation and texturing, Lip Sync animation, and full body animation of biped characters interacting in a fight sequence.  The workshop will take place Friday November 19th as part of the DIG 2010 Conference. You can register online for the conference workshop. Pin It

London Gaming Industry in the London Free Press

The city of London has committed to adding $5-million to a bid for a state-or-the-art Digital Gaming Center of Excellence to be built in London's downtown core. London's Digital Extremes, Big Blue Bubble, Fanshawe College, Research Western, LEDC, TechAlliance, and WORLDiscoveries are working together on the application for the Centre of Excellence

Where most people think of digital gaming as strictly a means of entertainment for youth, this Centre would harness the cutting edge technology developed by gaming industry companies, including those in the city of London, to train essential services like doctors and firefighters in a "realistic and risk-free" virtual environment. This is a perfect example of one of the many sectors the gaming industry can benefit in the future and it is excellent to see London's business and education  at the forefront of the trend. Experts asked to comment on the story, Michael Katchabaw of the University of Western Ontario and Michael Schmalz of London's Digital Extremes, both of whom attended last years DIG Conference. Be sure to check out the full story here! Pin It