Proposal

4.  Project Narrative: 

This proposal is of the highest priority for the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College on the Jupiter/MacArthur campus. It addresses the urgent and ever growing need for the development of a 3-D Digital Design Lab space as Phase II support of the development of the Interdisciplinary Multimedia Fine Art (Scientific/Medical Illustration) & Medical Humanities (iMFAMH) Labs. Currently the iMFAMH enriched ‘callboratory’ spaces, located in the Hibel Arts Building, primarily employ traditional 2-D methods of visual investigation. Unfortunately the current visual lab spaces without the inclusion of 3D equipment for study are ill equipped to address students’ educational needs for in class collaboration as well as DIS or DIR independent study. The author of this proposal seeks funding to more fully develop the iMFAMH labs through the purchase of 3D scanners, 3D printing equipment, 3D software as well as other forms of multimedia delivery systems essential to students’ art-centered interdisciplinary studies, creative research, innovation and invention. 

The emergence of 3D technology has significantly changed the ways in which the focuses of creative research, and production in such areas as, fine arts, arts preservation, medical, health arts research, and scientific illustration are done.  For those entering the creative industries, these new 3D methods of study already have begun to allow for more inventive and imaginative examinations of other forms of visual communication. For students pursuing studies in medical or scientific illustration the introduction of 3D scanning, 3D modeling, and 3D software provides the opportunity to actually understand the subjects/objects observed in a different light.  For students in the interMedia arts, fine arts, art criticism and art history these new 3D processes offer new pathways of study, learning, engagement and creative development by allowing them to print out artifacts and other physical objects.

Phase II continues with the process of the introduction of 3D technology as a way to enhance and further develop these multimedia visual research ‘callboratory’ spaces, and the acquisition of additional equipment needed to fine-tune the facilities. This includes, though is not limited to the purchase of digital software, hardware, and other technological enhancement used for the further development of the visual labs for three-dimensional design applications. Recent low cost systems for 3D scanning, printing, and software have made obtaining this equipment a lot more viable. The acquisition of these items will allow us to educate and train our students in this area, and provide them with the highly marketable skills sought after within the industry.

5. How is this project aligned with the Strategic Plan? Please cite specific goals and strategies. University Goals 2, 3, 5, 6

Goal 2:  Meeting Statewide Professional and Workforce Needs

In today’s market, Scientific & Medical Illustrators, intermedia artists, fine & performance visual artists and other professionals, who work in diverse art-related fields in the Creative Industries, heavily rely on, and innovate with 3-D digital technology.  Creating this facilitate will not only help to enhance the iMFAMD lab spaces, but also help the program to meet the professional industry standards necessary to assist students to obtain the technological information essential for those wishing to enter the Creative Industry as well as the fields of Scientific and Medical Illustration. Obtaining this much needed 3D equipment will support student learning and engagement by further enhancing these small spaces with equipment that supports the exchange and flow of creative ideas, along side cross-disciplinary engagement. If we are to provide an education that supports the Florida workforce, then this deficit must be remedied.

Goal 3:  Building World-Class Academic Programs and Research Capacity

Introduction of the 3D Digital equipment and software in to the Interdisciplinary Multimedia Fine Art & Medical Humanities (iMFAMH) Labs will help to build a dynamic program to complement the growing interest in Arts the intersection with Sciences in areas of Health, Psychology, Healing & Narrative Medicine. The Transdisciplinary Visual Arts (TVA) & Honors Medical Humanities (MH) concentrations are attracting attention from students who are considering combining the art & science fields. The Interdisciplinary Multimedia Fine Art & Medical Humanities (iMFAMH) Labs will continue to bring about a new and engaging learning environment that fosters innovative & creative academic research in partnership best suited for this connection. This infusion of funds in these spaces could dramatically and swiftly increase, and potentially assist these programs to competitively attract strong undergraduate candidates to the Jupiter campus of FAU. Support for this grant will help us to build an academically sound and world-class program.

Goal 5: Building a State-of-the-Art Information Technology Environment

The Interdisciplinary Multimedia Fine Art (Scientific & Medical Illustration) & Medical Humanities (iMFAMH) Labs are to be located on the MacArthur Campus and integrated into the existing instructional spaces in the Hibel Arts (HA) building. These vital learning spaces are designed to work in concert with cross-, inter-, intra-disciplinary student engagement that occurs when the integration of both traditional studio-based practices occur along side new media technologies. This type of interactive experimentation involves the hybridity of the plastic arts with delivery systems present within current digital technologies. Therefore, receiving this infusion of desperately needed funds will allow these spaces to be successfully transformed into technology-rich learning spaces for visual theoretical research and artistic process production.  This request for 3D digital imaging equipment (scanners, printers, computers) for blended use with traditional media is one that supports the current integration of technological applications now used in moving & sound graphics housed in the expansive fields of the Creative Industries that house Contemporary Fine Art, Scientific & Medical Illustration. For all areas of the arts and visual media, Mac computers are the industry standard. The Interdisciplinary Multimedia Fine Art (Scientific & Medical Illustration) & Medical Humanities (iMFAMH) Labs provide art centered educational programming, the opportunity to engage in networking, and professional training directly relevant to the arts’ industry. Unfortunately, as things currently stand these extended collaborative external learning spaces are not full realized.

Goal 6: Enhancing the Physical Environment

The Honors College is in dire need of funding to strategically integrate the 3D Digital Design Lab, which will enhance the smaller iMFAMH lab spaces through the introduction of digital equipment that effectively will provide the technological structures, electronic cabinet storage for equipment safety, smart flat screens for HA 104 and 103 for instruction, and the HA foyer. These additions will go a very long way towards enhancing the Hibel Arts Building, and the labs, in which the iMFAMH spaces are housed. 

If approved, the project would begin immediately with a proposed start-up date of Phase 2: Mid-June, 2016, with final project completion in July 2017. 

What is the plan for sustainability of the project beyond the initial project period (if applicable):

 Software licenses are renewed annually as necessary by Northern Technology Services. Consumables (batteries, tapes, CD-Rs, DVD-Rs) are obtained through course fees.

Indicate which organization will implement the project (to help determine any additional costs and resource restraints):

The Harriett L. Wilkes Honors College will implement the project. Support will be required from Northern Technology Services and Building Maintenance for regular maintenance, upgrade of software, tech support or support for other physical and technical issues that arise. Project management, on-site installation and wiring, coordination and supervision, owner training, etc., plus fabrication, modification, assembly, programming, warranties, etc. Electrical as contracted through WHC – FAU facilities.