There are no polls currently operating in this sector. Please check back soon. View Poll Archives
New Details For Doug Chiang-Inspired Course Posted By Eric on August 29, 2011
NOTE: Please see updates to this story at the bottom. The original information follows.
The work of former Star Wars concept designer Doug Chiang is legendary in the film industry, and this Fall, a course at Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne University will explore the ins and outs of his craft. University instructor Jim Martin will teach the course, which will be based on Chiang's book Mechanika: Creating the Art of Science Fiction with Doug Chiang. At the end of the semester-long course, Chiang himself will stop by to assess students' work and talk about his past projects.
Check out the press release below, courtesy of The ForceCast's Jimmy Mac.
COURSE TEACHES OSCAR WINNING DESIGN TECHNIQUES
Book Mechanika: Creating the Art of Science Fiction of Doug Chiang basis for IPFW course on author Doug Chiang's award winning techniques used as Star Wars Design Director and many other successful Hollywood franchises. Doug Chiang will visit the final session of the course to review students work and deliver a presentation of his recent works followed by a Q&A.
In the 2011 fall semester at Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne University in Fort Wayne Indiana Instructor and Designer Jim Martin will be teaching a course based on the Oscar winning design and illustration techniques in Designer and Author Doug Chiang's book Mechanika: Creating the Art of Science Fiction of Doug Chiang. Doug's design techniques are so effective that he has received a number of awards for his talents including an Oscar for Best Special Effects and a BAFTA Film Award for Best Special Effects for his work on Death Becomes Her. Through a series of ten studio type classes the course will look in detail at the Doug's art and design techniques and apply those techniques in practical exercises from the book. The semester will end with Doug visiting the final class and reviewing the work students completed throughout the semester. The end goal of the class being to deliver relevant knowledge to future entrants to the design industry which is trending toward a majority of the job opportunities in the entertainment industry.
All skill levels will be encouraged to enroll and find the class educational, entertaining and challenging. Basic drawing skills beneficial but students of all drawing skill levels will find the class enjoyable and educational. Taught by an accomplished Industrial Designer, Jim Martin, he'll take you through each exercise step by step with in-class demonstrations.
Doug's talents and techniques are backed up his successes and participation in many popular and successful movie projects. His credits include Design Director for George Lucas's Star Wars Episodes 1 & 2 (VES ? Best Effects Art Direction in a Motion Picture nominee for Episode 2), Production Designer for A Christmas Carol, Concept Artist for Steven Spielbergs War of the Worlds, Visual Effects Art Director on Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Production Designer on Robert Zemeckis's The Polar Express and Visual Effects Art Director Forrest Gump for which he received a BAFTA Film Award for Best Special Effects. Many of his credits were during his time working at Hollywood special effects juggernaut Industrial Light and Magic.
Jim Martin has been a limited-term lecturer of illustration and design at IPFW Visual Communications and Design with teaching experience starting in 1992. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Cincinnati - College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning in 1989 with a concentration in Industrial Design. Jim has been owner / operator of his own design business since 1999 and has clients in the exhibit, computer gaming, entertainment, product design and signage industries. Prior to starting his own business Jim worked as a junior designer for a local exhibit company and designed and project managed several hundred projects during his total 8 years of work. His work has appeared in books and publications and has received several industry honors for his work in design.
# # # If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Jim Martin at 419-279-0289 or e-mail Jim at martinjr@ipfw.edu.
Thanks to Jimmy Mac for the heads-up!
UPDATE: Here's the latest from Professor Martin:
In reaction to recent feedback received the course meeting day, time and dates have been changed, the price lowered and enrollment deadline extended.
Enrollment deadline: September 27th. Class meeting time: Friday 4:30pm - 7:30pm Class meets on: 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2, and 12/8. Please note this is 9 Friday evenings (4:30 - 7:30 pm), with the final class that Doug Chiang is attending meeting on Thursday, 12/8, 6 - 9 pm. Lowered price: $499 (includes $250 in materials and supplies) Required textbook: Mechanika: Creating the Art of Science Fiction with Doug Chiang (Available through Folletts Bookstore)
Rebelscum Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Patch Posted By Philip on November 25, 2014: Thanks to everybody that ordered patches. I sent a check for $1,600.00 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation on Monday. While it's not as much as I hoped for, it's still very much appreciated. They will remain for sale in the store for anybody that still wishes to purchase them. Details after the jump.
![[Latest News - Main]](/images/latestnews/leftnav_local_off.gif){kind=small}
![[More...]](/images/latestnews/leftnav_more_off.gif){kind=small}
![[TFN FanFilms Now On YouTube.com]](http://www.theforce.net/fanfilms/images/fanfilm-youtube.jpg)
![[Popular Stories]](/images/latestnews/local_popstories_top.gif){kind=small}
![[Jedi Council Forums]](/images/latestnews/local_jcforums_top.gif){kind=small}
![[Poll]](/images/latestnews/local_poll_top.gif){kind=small}
![[TF.N Newsletter]](/images/global/rightnav_newsletter_hdr.gif){kind=small}
![[All Posters]](/images/global/rightnav_allposters_hdr.gif){kind=small}
![[Rebelscum.com - Star Wars Collecting]](/images/ads/btn-med-rebelscum2.gif){kind=small}
![[TheForce.Net - FanFilms]](/images/ads/btn-med-fanfilms2.gif){kind=small}
![[TheForce.Net - FanForce]](/images/ads/btn-sml-fanforce.gif){kind=small}
![[TheForce.Net - Fan Art]](/images/ads/btn-sml-fanart.gif){kind=small}
![[More News...]](/images/latestnews/local_newsbar_more.gif){kind=small}
