“Issues in Computer Graphics Education” by McCracken

In spite of a booming industry, most 3D graduates have tremendous difficulty getting even entry-level jobs. Animation programs, the most common source of 3D education, are analyzed to reveal why their students compete less successfully with computer science, design, and other bachelors degree students. The solution is to distinguish 3D from animation by creating a new discipline. This 3D discipline should retain the artistic components of animation but place greater emphasis on problem solving, 3D expression, and computer programming. A new approach would not only strengthen chances of employment for graduates within the entertainment industry but also better enable them to get jobs in other fields like visualization and education. Doing so will empower graduates, broaden societal perceptions of 3D, and provide the next generation of leadership in the digital age.