The Virtual Technology and Design (VTD) program at University of Idaho creates virtual worlds that can be used for nearly any purpose. VTD students work with different lighting and features to make these life-like simulators as realistic as possible.
The program creates virtual worlds for both entertainment and learning environments. Students work with other organizations either with the university or outside it, to create scenarios used for either entertainment or learning.
VTD is currently working on a project for the history classes at UI. The purpose is to give history students a more interesting way of learning.”VTD students can apply that to education and instead of reading about history, what would it be like to actually go back in time?” said Greg Turner-Rahman, the interim head of the VTD program. “One of the projects they’re working on now is early American history. So putting the game player or user into that time period with the sounds and the whole experience, the whole range of sensations.”
Turner-Rahman has been the interim program head for nine months, but has been involved with the program since 2004. He teaches art, design and new media theory.
VTD students, while learning to make digital worlds, also have to learn about the topics they’re modeling.
Erica Anderson is a sophomore in the VTD program. She is a representative for the student organization Integrated Designers Educators Artists (I.D.E.A.).
In the past, I.D.E.A. has done fundraisers and video game competitions. Anderson said she is taking Advanced Lighting/Materials, Advanced Modeling, a Digital Tools class, and a Studio Class, which provides needed job skills. She said she doesn’t know what career she is interested in yet.
“VTD is really expansive. Careers for the VTD program include creating video games, special effects and animations,” Anderson said. “But then there are other careers like going into the medical field to create visual simulators or architecture firm simulations. Career options for VTD are pretty broad.”
Junior Justin Horne has been involved with VTD for three years and is the vice president of I.D.E.A. He said he has always had a love for design.
“I wanted something a little more modern than just a traditional architecture degree,” Horne said. “It’s got a great mixture of traditional design theory, as well as a heavy emphasis on modern tools and process.”
Horne said he worked on a project VTD was involved in last year with one of the lead researchers of the watershed area.
“We worked with a client here at UI to create educational material, visualization concepts, and community outreach concepts relating to the salmon population in Troy,” Horne said.
Horne said it was an involved project and took several months to complete.
Whether creating a virtual learning environment, designing a set for a video game or working on any of the other varieties of projects available to VTD, it is an adventure into a whole new world.
Alexia Neal can be reached at [email protected]