Technical Animation: A New Concept for the Engineering Design Graphics Discipline

Abstract

Engineering and technical graphics professionals have seen major changes in the content and the way we teach our students (Clark & Scales, 2000).  Today, professionals going into fields related to engineering/technical graphics require a broader knowledge of differing forms of graphics with the expectation that they understand and can use these new technologies.  With the need for new and better understanding of the role graphics plays in the professional worlds of graphics education, the faculty at NC State University began updating their curriculum for students wishing to major or minor in Graphic Communications.

Starting in the fall of 2001, a course titled “Basic Technical Animation” has been piloted to meet the current needs for our majors.  This course develops the fundamental understanding of how animation and simulation can be used by professionals in fields related to engineering, science, mathematics, technology, and graphics, and develops skills useful in integrating this emerging area into the graphics profession.  The course develops visual skills in students and enhances their understanding of the role graphics plays in their future careers.  This paper will focus on the rationale and content used in developing this course with information and examples of the type of knowledge and skills gained by students from taking a course in technical animation.  Student work and example exercises will be discussed as well as the focus on developing students’ understanding of working with three-dimensional areas and transformations related to animation.