To Prospective Graphics Group Members,

The long-term research goal of the Brown University Graphics Group is to develop human-centered, powerful, and interactive 3D graphics tools for modeling, scientific visualization, telecollaboration, and interactive illustrations. Driving applications include the need for rapid prototyping tools for 3D modeling, the need for more sophisticated scientific visualization tools that can present concepts, techniques, and algorithms as well as data, and the need of geographically-separated groups to more effectively work in a shared visual, spatial, and auditory environment. Current projects range from desktop 3D tools to fully immersive virtual reality environments.

Group members are expected to eventually contribute to research in these area. Usually (but not always) this requires previous experience (e.g., (cs15, 16, 32 and 123). If you're a first year or sophomore, you may not have this much programming experience. There are still opportunities for you in the Group, however, including outreach projects and aspects of research that require user skills such as proficiency with Photoshop, Director, etc. In your scheduling, think of being a Graphics Group member as taking another course. You will have the equivalent of course work and home work, which will give you the opportunity to explore topics in computer graphics. Students typically serve an apprenticeship period with the Group part time for a period of six months (September to May) or three months full time (June to August) without pay and then, if they are productive, usually they can be paid a standard graphics lab stipend for further work. During this time, the student is investing his or her time in learning about our research and software environment, and we are investing our time in training the student; from our point of view the investment and return tend to be about equal, which is why we do not pay.

Graphics Group members are expected to work approximately 10-20 hours/week with the Group. We have found that effort at a lower level is not sufficient to gain the necessary background. New members are also expected to attend an orientation session during intersession (during January). These commitments also serve to encourage only those with the strongest passion for computer graphics. If this degree of commitment seems too onerous, there may still be some interesting outreach projects that you can work on.

If you do decide to make this commitment, we also make a commitment to you-to train you, introduce you to the field of computer graphics research, involve you in projects and to mentor you. Such commitment on our part takes substantial time and energy and is part of the reason why we ask for a similar commitment of time and energy from you.

Graphics Group members have excelled in the field of computer graphics. Previous Group members have been involved in almost all major Hollywood movies using special computer graphics effects and four members have even won technical Oscars. Group members are known throughout academia and several have started companies. The Group remains a source of support long after you leave Brown (with a reunion each year at SIGGRAPH) and a source of invaluable contacts.

Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Thank you,

The Graphics Group