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For Savannah College of Art and Design students, returning to class this fall could mean going on an expedition. Imagine becoming scuba-certified to document marine life and reconstruct shipwrecks, or visiting research facilities to create custom exhibitions that educate audiences on the latest scientific breakthroughs. These are just a few things that SCAD students in the scientific illustration minor may be doing as part of their studies.
Beginning Fall 2008, SCAD will offer a new minor in scientific illustration. Studies begin with rigorous drawing classes and progress to interdisciplinary courses in sculpture, animation, photography and interactive design. Upper-level courses include a series of field experiences that prepare SCAD graduates for exciting employment opportunities.
Most fields of science rely heavily on artists to communicate their theories and discoveries of complex mechanisms and behaviors. "Clarity, economy and elegance are the qualities that give distinction to mathematical theorems, and should serve well as the qualities and aims of scientific illustration," said SCAD professor Paul Hudson.
In addition to teaching SCAD students, Hudson recreates models of dinosaur anatomy for museums throughout the United States and illustrates for NASA. This program will allow students to travel forward and backward in time to illustrate history and potential history. "They will travel artistically where cameras can't go," said Hudson.
Work has already begun between the Constructive Animal Anatomy class at SCAD and the Oatland Island Wildlife Education Center. "The artist serves as the conduit between the scientific and artistic worlds and must understand facts to communicate ideas visually," said Elan Buchen, a SCAD graduate student who sculpted four wolf busts for the new Oatland Island Wolf Wilderness exhibition. He also created a fully articulated armadillo skeleton and specialized viewing case that will enhance Oatland Island's educational exhibitions.
"Collaboration with key research institutions, both local and abroad, has already begun to create a truly unique and experiential learning environment that sets the SCAD scientific illustration program apart from other institutions," said Hudson. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary and Triebold Paleontology are among the research institutions interested in collaborating with SCAD scientific illustration students.
"Illustrations are more helpful than even a picture," said Chris Gentile, director of Oatland Island Wildlife Center. The idea is to have SCAD students work in the field of scientific illustration before they graduate. By meeting the needs of scientific clients within their coursework, students will gain the skill and experience they need for careers, and research institutions will gain exceptional assistance in rendering their latest projects and ideas.
For more information about the program, call 800.869.7223 or visit www.scad.edu.
