Biography

The TOSMI 2007 project is a training in multimedia open source tools implemented by Interspace association in Sofia, Bulgaria and partially funded by the E.U media program. Two week long sessions were realized in May and August 2007. 80% of the modules taught were blender specific [concerning the mini production of a short animated clip by the trainees]. The teaching methodology chosen was project driven, where teaching was divided in theory and practice, with practice assuming a central role. Even though the methods of working with blender were not original in Tosmi, the training curriculum and strategy was unique: The trainees were exposed to working as a team in a small production environment, were not only did they have to complete exercises but also had to produce and contribute to the animated short made by their team. Computer Graphics teaching via Blender was not isolated from the rest of the production pipeline, (script, storyboard, quality control etc) but taught as an essential tool in the disposal of the artist. Even though the main curriculum was basic in theory concerning blender (modeling, animation, texturing, lighting, rendering, compositing etc), practice on specific modules was elevated to the level appropriate for each trainee. This implementation allowed the participants to acquire knowledge and experience fast. We think that hosting a trainers workshop in Blender conference 2007 where we will be able to disseminate the results of the TOSMI sessions will be beneficial to the blender community at large. The purpose of the workshop will be the effective transfer of knowledge and strategies from the TOSMI project to other trainers working with blender. The workshop will try to address the lack of tested strategies in blender teaching, and also will try to expose the errors and mistakes that can happen during training. Also in the workshop we will establish best practices from the trainers' manual written for the Tosmi project.

 

Presentation: Blender as a design tool: generative

Theodore Dounas is an Architect Engineer, an academic researcher and teacher. He has 7 years of professional experience in architectural engineering and design, architectural competitions and 3 years research experience with computation in architecture. His professional and academic work has been awarded numerous times in competitions and conferences. In his academic research he uses blender to built generative systems and methods for architecture and design.

Blender as a design tool presentation: 

Blender as a design tool.zip

 

TOSMI presentation:

Presentation pdf

Presentation odp