Digital Media Center
Blue-Green Algae: Bio-fuel production
“Innovative Visualizations”
November 10, 2011
What is Digital Media?
 Any type of digitally produced,
transmitted and/or stored electronic
media
 Text, pictures, movies, visualizations
 Visualizations are now recognized as
the fastest most effective way to
convey a complex idea in a simple and
intuitively understandable fashion
3D DIGITAL MODEL
 We interact with Digital Media daily:
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Internet
Cellular phones
E-readers
Television
Film
Interactive media
Electronic commerce
3 D DIGITAL MODEL
Definition of Digital Media
 Florida's digital media industry association, Digital Media
Alliance of Florida, defines Digital Media as:
“The creative convergence of digital
arts, science, technology and business
for human expression, communication,
social interaction and education”
3 D DIGITAL MODEL
Zirus Antivirotics Condensed
Tight-Gas Study
Definition of Digital Media?
 We spends about 23% of each waking day engaged
with Digital Media in one form or another…
Average Daily Dose of Digital Media
Work/Other
Social Networking
23%
34%
Entertainment
Email
12%
17%
(Re)Search
14%
Social Networking = 23%
Entertainment = 17%
(Re)Search = 14%
Email = 12%
Work/Other = 34%
EXAMPLE: Analog Media
CARBON DIOXIDE - CO2
Formula for CO2
O=C=O
“Stick & Ball” representation of CO2
(Analog “3D”)
EXAMPLE: Digital Media
CARBON DIOXIDE - CO2
Digital Media – The Convergence
 Growth and unique convergence of
Art, Science & Technology has driven
a major shift in how information is
now conceived, produced, delivered
and consumed
 Digital media has evolved from an
artists tool to a powerful visualization
tool used in engineering, business
and the sciences
PDL BioPharma HuLuc63
 Digital media has distinguished itself
as an important ally in the dynamic
world of scientific, technical and
commercial communications
Engineering Study
Innovative Visualizations
Examples: Engineering, Petro-Chemical, Geological, Architectural & Artistic
Natural gas drilling platform
Response: Created the Digital Media Center
 Launched the DMC with tremendous
support from Provost Nicholls,
Dean’s, Faculty & Staff
 Currently offering 2D visualization
classes
 Provost has approved a transdisciplinary faculty hire in 3D
visualization
Geological Visualization
 Digital Media Lab locations:
Storrs (AB228) & Stamford (SLA)
 Two areas of initial engagement:
1. Science & Engineering
2. Entertainment & Art
Volvox Aureus
The Digital Media Center - GOALS
1. Collaborative laboratory for interdisciplinary study
• Instruction
2. Research
• Research visualizations: Faculty & Students
• Visualization projects: State agencies & private sector
3. Outreach
• State high schools – 100 students last year, 500 this year
• State and national universities & institutions (Yale, NYU, URI, CMU,
BDW)
4. Technology and IP development & transfer
• Foster entrepreneurial activity around visualization
• Nurture next generation visualization techniques , processes, and
software (Office of Technology Commercialization, CCEI & CITI)
5. Clearing-house for extramural funding sources
• Pursue grant and financial resource opportunities
• Seek out and catalyze research collaborations with CT digital firms
• Engage in for-profit projects with private sector
The Digital Media Center - OPPORTUNITY
 Nearly every area of the university employs some level of
visualization:
 Fine Arts – Creative Expression & Entertainment
 Business – Marketing & Branding
 Engineering – Data set analysis and results communication
 Pharmacy – Biochemical interaction
 UConn Health Center – Cellular Viz.
 Agriculture & Nat. Res. – Animal Virus
 College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
 Chemistry
 Communications
 Geosciences
 Journalism
 Marine Science
 Mathematics
 Molecular & Cellular Biology
 Physics
XVIVO – “Inner Life of a Cell”
The Digital Media Center - OPPORTUNITY
Digital Media Center – The Horizontal Connection
Fine Arts
Business
Engineering
Pharmacy
UCHC
CLAS
Agriculture
UConn Digital Media Center - Innovative Visualizations
Innovative Visualizations
The New York Times – SCIENCE Series – November 2010
Harvard Medical School “BioViz Project” – Molecular & Cellular Biology
Sources: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/16/science/16animate.html
•Robert Luh, PhD. – Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology – Harvard University
•Janet Iwasa, PhD. – Department of Cell Biology, Molecular Animator – Harvard Medical School
•Drew Berry – Cell Biologist, Biomedical Animator – 2010 MacArthur Fellow
•Tomas Kirchhausen, PhD – Department of Cell Biology – Harvard Medical School
•XVIVO: Scientific Animation, “The Life of a Cell”
Digital Media Center – Employment
 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR – Bureau of
Labor Statistics (October 25, 2011)
 Projections data from the National Employment Matrix:
— Occupational Title: Multi-media artists and animators
projected growth of 14% - 19% (2008-2018)
— Median annual wage multi-media artists: $56,330.00
— Middle 50% earned between $41,710.00 to $77,010.00
— The highest 10% earned more than $100,390.00
— Median annual wages were $65,600.00 in motion picture and
video production
—
Sources:
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: (www.bls.gov/oco/ocos092.htm)
• O*NET OnLine: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/27-1014.00
• BLS Occupational Employment Statistics: (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes271014.htm)
Research Partnerships
• Connecticut Company’s using digital visualization:
• 51 – Entertainment companies
• 53 - Architecture & Engineering companies
• 335 - Defense contractors
• 309 - Pharmaceutical companies
• 1,702 - Advertising & Marketing Companies
State Administrative Partnerships
• State Government Partners:
• Connecticut Office for Workforce Competitiveness (OWC)
• Connecticut Department of Economic and Community
Development (DECD)
• Connecticut Office of Film, Television and Digital Media
• Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism
• Connecticut Film Center/Commission
• Connecticut Career Choices
• Connecticut Production Coalition
• Connecticut Venture Group
• Connecticut Digital Media Business Network
• Connecticut Digital Media Group
Digital Media Center – Value Proposition
Students
• Instruction in interdisciplinary high-tech, high-growth field
• Positioned to join (or form) CT’s high-tech, research & business sectors
Faculty
• Research, innovation & entrepreneurship through visualization
• Interdisciplinary collaborations and asset usage (DMC & BECAT)
University of Connecticut
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New IP development, implementation & commercialization
Technology transfer (Office of Technology Commercialization, CCEI & CITI)
Addressing CT’s need for high-tech jobs creation & economic growth
Trans-disciplinary benchmarks:
• Harvard’s “BioViz Project”: Molecular & Cellular Biology [Medical,
Engineering & Art]
• CMU’s Entertainment Technology Center (Pittsburgh, Silicon Valley,
Portugal, Japan & Singapore) [Dramatic Arts & Engineering]
• URI 3D Group for Interactive Visualization [Art & CSE URI]
• Boulder Digital Works [Art, Business & Economics)
Digital Media Center – Value Proposition
State of Connecticut
• Graduates will migrate to CT’s high-tech industry’s:
• Entertainment, Business, Advertising, Legal, Communications
• Medical, Pharmaceutical, Biotech, Dental
• Engineering, Science, Aerospace & Defense
• Entrepreneurial spin-outs from UConn enhancing CT’s economic
base
• More high-tech employees & businesses in CT – increased tax
revenues
Digital Media Center
Green algae - bio-fuel production
“Innovative Visualizations”