Animation/Illustration Major Evans Mbai Wins Undergraduate Award at Student Research Symposium

College of the Arts’ Animation/Illustration major Evans Mbai was one of four Student Research Symposium awardees on April 26, 2015.  A total of 370 students participated and 236 presentations given, where Mbai received the Undergraduate Oral Presentation recognition for his interdisciplinary topic, “Bridging the 2nd and 3rd Dimensions,” and will receive a $500 tuition credit for the fall semester.  Not just focused on applications to video gaming, he highlighted the shift from two-dimensional to three-dimensional simulation and production in numerous fields, including automotive, airplane, and housing design and manufacturing, as well as applications in such areas as movie production and social media.

In addition to citing the artist’s role in facilitating this shift, Mbai examined the use of new 3-D tools such as the 3-D printer and the Oculus Rift, eyewear that completely immerses one in a simulated 3-D environment.  The multimedia presentation generated further discussion about the impact on medicine and the economy.  Professor Lauren Carr, 3-D simulation faculty member in the Department of Art and Design, is Mbai’s advisor.

Other awardees were Monica Stanislawczyk for best interdisciplinary Undergraduate Poster, Melissa Rosides for best Graduate Poster, and David Lardier and Veronica Barrios for best Graduate Presentation.  All students are encouraged to participate in this annual university-wide event.  It allows students the opportunity to share their research across fields, experience the professional demands of public presentation, and gain insights from a broad range of responses.