Zor (Li Jian) Lee
Master of New Media Arts
Centre for New Media Arts

Good day everyone! My name is Zor and I’m from Garden City, Singapore. I am on a study trip to Australia and I am doing my postgraduate degree in New Media Arts, specialising in 3D animation. Well, the fact is that I didn’t came from an art school nor do I have any background in design, so I guess it’s all about interest. I did my Bachelor of Internet Science and Technology because that seemed to be the logical thing to do after getting my Diploma in Engineering and Informatics.

Through the years I have developed a passion for design and aesthetic beauty that coupled with my zest for learning, has created this path I am taking right now.

Before embarking on my study trip here, I was in the military for 2.5 years in my homeland, and had worked in the position of a Visual Architect at a company in the oil, gas and process industry. I was first introduced to imaging programs when I was doing my diploma about 5 years ago. I fell in love with them and started designing stuff digitally. Later on while I was doing my internships, I was seconded to a PDA software production firm and an IT hardware supplier. I had to learn ASP for web programming and created both companies’ websites. Academically I was taught to use notepad for doing all html coding. Anyhow, this sparked off my interest in website design and related areas.

As time goes by, the combination of things I have experienced seems to have moulded me, gradually creating the accidental passage towards new media for me. I'm glad it happened and this is something which I will definitely not regret.

Currently my research direction of my semester 1 thesis is based on the knowledge learned from my stream, which is 3D animation as well as the connection between my research topic on “Nothing”. My self selected sub topic is Taoism and the delivered thesis will demonstrate my ability in exploring through the means and perspective of a new media artist, the religious philosophy of Taoism, specifically from what I am currently doing in my 3D animation practice and its relationship to contemporary life.

Overall, I’ve enjoyed myself tremendously throughout the course from the point when it started. The most fun and enjoyable thing for me is the chance to learn cutting edge software used in the related industries as well as working with the talented, knowledgeable and dynamic lecturers. They have exposed me to many ideas and concepts which I never would have thought of. Totally awesome and wonderful experience.

Jia Niu
Master of New Media Arts
Centre for New Media Arts

My name is Jia Niu, and I come from Beijing, China. I am studying New Media art (animation stream) at the Centre for New Media Arts at the Australian National University. The tutors and lecturers in CNMA broaden my knowledge in animation and new media art areas, teaching me how to achieve my own targets in animation and art. I am very appreciative of the knowledge they give us from which I gain much benefit, and I feel I can apply their research principles throughout my professional life.

Before I came to ANU, I went to college and worked in 2D graphic design and animation area for several years. With six years of professional training in drawing and painting since my high school days, I truly intend to do more art-related studies and work throughout my life.

I believe that one year’s study at the ANU New Media Centre will build a solid foundation for my art career in the future.

I am very interested in researching how to be a creative artist working in the animation area, because I have worked in 2D graphic and animation fields for many years while employed at a design company in China. What is really confusing to me is how to balance being creative and at the same time meeting your customer’s requirements – a feeling that many of my coworkers shared with me in the past. I think Creativity is the essential spirit of any form of art.

From my observations of the industry of animation, high speed updated digital techniques have accelerated the development of animation; but at the same time many young animators focus most of their energy on catching up with high technology, such as learning more and more new animation software. However they forget or ignore their basic training as an artist. I think it is necessary to research being creative as an artist who is also an expert in the digital technique field.

Cate Riley
Master of New Media Arts
Centre for New Media Arts

Having a love of drawing since very young, I was always intending to be an artist when I grew up. I dabbled in many artistic outlets such as black and white photography, print-making, illustration, movie-making, calligraphy, life-drawing, oil and acrylic painting, and extended this interest in producing in a variety of media when I switched across to digital. I also have always been into music so after training to be a graphic designer (having been told that a career as an artist was not realistic) I was introduced to multimedia through working on presentations in Director. I thought this was a fantastic medium for combining all my loves and was really interested in expanding this further through being able to program in the language. It doesn’t come easy however and sometimes I still just want to pick up a paintbrush and throw it across a canvas but this has become one focus of exploration in my work, in the utilisation of different methods of interacting with a computer, and is one I wish to explore further.

Ezra Szandala
Master of New Media Arts
Centre for New Media Arts

Background
I graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Contemporary Music in Composition from Southern Cross University, NSW. Following this, I spent two years writing music for film, television, and computer games. In the time before coming to study at ANU I was mountaineering in New Zealand's Southern Alps and spent one year teaching English in Sichuan Province, China. Apart from dreaming about future climbing expeditions in China, I'm focused on a Masters of New Media Arts majoring in Computer Music, at the ANU's Centre for New Media Arts.

Course focus
I have chosen a New Media Arts direction of study to compliment my background in film and television music composition. I am currently fascinated by the relationship New Media Art, particularly New Media sound art, has with other disciplines, such as mathematics, psychology, and even law. Studying at ANU's Centre for New Media Arts has brought an in-depth knowledge of the processes for bridging disciplines, and has led to new discoveries in my creative ventures.

My practical focus is on developing new and intriguing methods of audiovisual performance, which I plan to illustrate towards the end of 2006. I have many future ambitions, which are driving my research and practical directions, one being my passion for China, where I wish to experiment with new media sound performance in Beijing in the future.

What I have enjoyed immensely during my Masters study, is the growing relationships with the other CNMA postgraduate students. Interacting with such a group of talented and widely sourced individuals is fascinating and inspiring to say the least. Equally admirable, is the support and professionalism of the staff of CNMA. Particularly my personal tutors who have, both through their motivation and creativity, shown me a more intuitive way of devising a path through the maze which is New Media Arts.

Ben Watson
Master of New Media Arts
Centre for New Media Arts

I came from South Australia to study my Master of New Media Arts. Previously I have studied a Bachelor of Industrial Design at the University of South Australia graduating in 2002, followed by a Bachelor of Design Studies (architecture / landscape architecture / urban planning) at the University of Adelaide graduating in 2005.

I have theatre experience, designing and constructing sets for two South Australian theatre companies. I am an extremely creative, visual individual with a musical passion and love of the arts. My research is concerning the shift in perception of time in art and its ramifications on new media arts today. 'Time' itself is of intriguing interest to me with my own perceptions shifting as I familiarise myself with such an enigmatic and elusive subject matter.

My passion for animation has led me to this new chapter in my life, with a desire to learn and create interesting artworks. It is immensely thought provoking, and result driven at the same time. I am excited with the possibilities of where I am headed and the journey towards it.

While studying for my Bachelor of Industrial Design I avoided the computer and digital side of design, opting for traditional methods of hand modelling and sketching. This computer phobia was eventually overcome as I went kicking and screaming into the digital age. Much to my surprise once I succumbed, 3D modelling and animating was atually fun and do-able. Coming to Canberra to attend the Centre for New Media Arts was a logical step in realising an exciting career in animation and to continue along my academic and life journey.

I am doing Master of Arts (Animation) in Centre for New Media Arts. I completed my Bachelor of Arts (Visual) degree at Canberra School Art (ANU). During my studies in CSA, I was also interested in Graphic Design and Computer Animation & Music. I have been to ACAT (CNMA) performance night during studies in CSA. I saw the student’s works were very creative and this interested me, so I applied to study at CNMA.

My research is looking at manga and anime (Japanese style of animated cartoon, 2D & 3D). Anime is a bright mirror constantly expanding everyone’s vision, searching for feeling and truth. Perhaps form, methods of expression or dissemination method are different, however, like literature and art, the symbol language of anime and manga has gone from being regarded as childish pure entertainment, to being punished, suppressed and affected by economic depression, but has retained its vitality, transforming into various forms and circulating throughout society, encouraging numerous cartoon artists to enter an alternative space constructed from imagination.

I am working as a collaborative researcher with Assoc. Professor Stephen Barrass. This Research Project will explore the embedding of interactive and algorithmic media into immersive scale environments. Practice-lead research will build the interdisciplinary knowledge and collaborative skills of students, and stake a claim for University of Canberra in this growing new area. This project will lay the foundations for theory that extends current approaches to time, narrative, physics, perception, immersion and space from these two very different disciplines.

In the near future I want to produce a new media interactive installation called “Off Your Face” and will be seeking grants funding to produce and exhibit this project.

I am also preparing conference papers and journal articles developed out of my New Media arts practice and from my own professional Graphic Design experience.

Han-Chung, Hu (JOHNNY)
Master of New Media Arts
Centre for New Media Arts

Graduate: John F Kennedy High School, Guam, U.S.A
Bachelor of Art (painting), ANU 2000-2003
Master of Arts (New Media Arts & Technology) ANU 2004-2005, major - Animation

New media art is the way technology brings art to a new level, and also brings freshness and outstanding foundation structure to arts. The 21st century bring us these new technologies and provides the idea and the way of convenient life. The relation of my research to new media is based only on the media that we use, but on the other hand, the new media brings curiosity that interests me in a certain way.

Living in this new century, anything can be elaborated about time and efficiency. My personal experience began as a painter until today as an animation artist. I have moved from the traditional material base painting to the cyber-space computer 3D animation. Painting is more physical and passionate, however animation is more about idealising the speed and space between the structure of surreal interfaces, and the combination of these two areas. It’s all about ideas and artistic aspects that bring art works alive, no differently from the media we have used, or from choosing the direction of being a new media artist instead of a painter. Maybe it’s just the modern fashion that leads me through the new media age.

Ya-Chi Huang
Master of New Media Arts
Centre for New Media Arts

I am from Taiwan. I studied Graft Art & Education in undergraduate in Taiwan. During the undergraduate, I found something rather than traditional art attracting me, it is computer generated graphics. After working for five years, I came to Australia to study New Media Arts animation.

My research now is about how computer generated graphic techniques influences animation. For example, some 2D animations actually are made by 3D software. Especially for Japanese anime, they prefer this. But for American animation such as Pixer, they love 3D effect completely. I use a Maya user. In Maya, these two different effects are both generated from Shaders function. And for an animation artist, except the story and concept developed in an animation. I think Shaders is the part to decide what a work looks like, commercial or stylistic or artistic.

My background is fine arts. I have been a teacher in elementary school for 5 years. Originally I planned to take an interactive media course. Then I can utilize it when I go back to being an elementary teacher and create interactive work helping students learning. But deep inside, I want to express my artistic side, so I chose animation as a medium. As a Taiwanese, I think most Taiwanese all try to make other people know more about it. But on the other side, the world is also not that familiar for me. In this period I want to know about Australia rather than express my own cultural identity. That’s why my first animation project is about Uluru. Above all, the direction of my work always changes depending on where I am.

Silvio Kohs
Master of New Media Arts
Centre for New Media Arts
http://www.silviokohs.com

Research Intentions:

“My main research focus is the representation of history within new media arts with an emphasis on live-performance and documentary. I am particularly interested in how new media technologies can be used to visualise new meanings or reveal subconscious memories that have been experienced, but only on a mentally superficial level. Within this context, the constant tension between the representation of reality, its perception, and its debate about actuality will be of main interest during these studies.”

Achievements:

Self-Funded exchange year at Cambridge Springs High School in Pennsylvania/U.S. resulting in a first class diploma

Position as a Club Representative producing and performing comedy shows and resulting in a Chief-Club Representative position
Radio internship at Berlin radio station resulting in a position as an online-editor

TV-production internship at Europe’s biggest private TV station RTL in Hamburg resulting in a position as a TV-Production-Assistant

Self-Funded Media Production Placement at The University of South Carolina/U.S. resulting in a first class final project
Third media studies student and first international student ever graduating with first class honours from the media studies course at the University of Teesside/U.K. http://www.tees.ac.uk/schools/sam/StudentViews.cfm?fos=16

"As a club representative in Spain and Greece I developed my interest for media by conceptualising, producing and performing comedy shows. Continuing at a Berlin radio station as an internee for the Morning Show, I conducted interviews and became interested in audio editing. This internship led to a position as an online-editor which involved the first relaunch of the station’s website.
After these practical experiences I found it was time to back up practice with theory and commenced a BA (Hons) in Media Studies at the University of Teesside/U.K.. During my undergraduate studies I have researched intensively on the representation of history within cinema. My thesis dealt with the dramatisation of history within cinema and asked if it is a misrepresentation, undermining aspects of reality, or if it is an aesthetical necessity.
This debate is especially interesting within new media arts because of its transitional phase from the discussion of representation and reality, to a more accepted virtual reality on its own terms. The observation of the real and its significance on a metaphorical level leads to challenging questions in terms of the relationship between artist and viewer/participant, but moreover of the new kind of perceptive abilities this area demands. In addition to my studies, I completed an internship at a TV station in Hamburg and have continued working on comedy project
http://www.dailygamecock.com/media/paper247/news/2002/09/
25/News/Making.A.Scene.For.Arts.Sake-281065.shtml
at the University of South Carolina/U.S. where my interest for video art began and which still dominates my coursework.”

http://www.dailygamecock.com/media/paper247/news/2003/05/25/
TheMix/Kohs-Silvio-427016.shtml?page=1

My theoretical research focuses on:

• The temporal & spacial re-constitution of images in digital media
• The transformation and interchangeability of subjective (psychological) and objective (physical) time-space in digital video

My technological study focuses on:

• 2D still images design, producing and editing
• Digital video design, producing and editing
• Interactive interface design

What interests me in the subject: is how to effectively present and deliver visual aesthetic conceptions in 2D still/moving images, as well as how to well coordinate and combine digital visual arts and computer music in digital video. Because in my view, successful new media artworks not only can deliver profound thoughts that make viewers think deeply, but also bring people real experiences and sensory enjoyment.

Lei Shi
Master of New Media Arts
Centre for New Media Arts

SHI, Lei was born in China. After graduating from Beijing Institute of Clothing Technology for Computer Art Design, she came to Australia for further study of new media art. During the bachelor study in China, she got a systematic knowledge of computer based art design, including Graphic Design, Web Site Design, Movie Editing£¨Animation Design and Interface Design. At the same time, she became very much interested in digital media Design and eager to pursue the further study in this major. She came to Australian National University to learn Interactive Digital Media.

During my study of New Media Arts, I found I am interested in the interactivity of computer-based art and interface design. I would like to improve both my theoretical and practical knowledge in this field. Then I am going to do more research in this field and focus on the interactivity between computer-based design and users.

Interactive digital media has become the most potential part in New Media Art. Based on my foundation of painting and design which I have learned in China, I want to enter this field more deeply and broadly. In addition, I hope to explore my creativity and make my life more interesting and challenging. That is why I chose this field. Because new media is virtual, then everything could be possible in this field. Therefore, I hope I could develop myself in this field.

Ting Ting Zhang
Master of Arts (New Media Arts & Technology)
Centre for New Media Arts

I come from China and currently I am doing a Master’s Degree, which focuses on Computer Music in the Centre for New Media Arts in the Australian National University.

My four years Bachelor’s Degree in China was about Music Education. I used to be a music teacher in a high school in China for a year and I was a piano teacher in a private piano school. During that time, my subjects and jobs were all about classical music therefore, I wanted to know something about New Media Technology.

Currently, my research project is a programming of a real time audio synthesis using SuperCollider 3. The main things in this project are that changing the sounds effects and channels. Furthermore, my research thesis is about the difference in New Media Arts between China and foreign countries. Studying in the Centre for New Media Arts in ANU, I can have lots of ideas, which are very different from the ideas I got during the time during my Bachelor’s Degree studies. This is an excellent experiment in my life.