February 2005
News

New Digital Arts Centre for EIMC

A new Digital Arts Centre is being created in the Department of Electronic Imaging and Media Communications.

The Centre is being developed thanks to a £400,000 award from HEFCE for the development of facilities within digital arts and media for courses currently run between the University in collaboration with the School of Art at Bradford College.

The facility will house the latest state-of-the-art technologies for the creation of digital photographic work and creative projects in the visual arts and media production.

Head of EIMC Ian Palmer (left) and Patrick Allen with the plans for the Digital Arts Centre

At the heart of this new installation will be a photographic studio, a performance area, and two rooms full of the latest Macintosh computers, along with industry-standard digital output and printing facilities.

Project organiser Patrick Allen said: "The overall design and look and feel of this new space will put the University at the centre of new development in Creative Media and Technologies.

"As the intention is to provide a facility that fosters and encourages creativity it was thought that a whole new approach to the way the space is used should be undertaken."

The atrium corridor where the facility is located will be opened out to let in natural light from the ceiling above. The corridor will be transformed into an expanse of light and colour with carefully chosen colour schemes for walls and flooring.

The corridor has colourful banners designed by ex-EIMC students Hayley Thomas and Nick Cernis, with kites suspended from the ceiling. It will also house displays from work taking place within the Centre.

The Centre will be located on the ground floor of the Chesham Building, with the main entrance on Great Horton Road.

The facility itself will consist of a sunken studio area intended initially as a Digital Photographic Studio and presentation area, as well as providing space for filming video.

There will also be two rooms with the latest Macintosh computers. Specialist digital printing facilities will be installed to provide the best output solutions for both digital and printed output as well as the latest software for multimedia, digital imaging, photography and graphics.

The EIMC Department has taught aspects of Graphic Design and Photography for more than ten years, in collaboration with the Photography Department at the College's School of Art. The Centre will provide facilities for existing provision and to service students in the final year of programmes in EIMC and at Master's level.

A launch event is due to take place at Easter.

• For further information contact Patrick Allen on 01274 236139, p.t.allen@bradford.ac.uk or logon to www.inf.brad.ac.uk/facilities/dac.php

14 February 2005

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