How have digital technologies changed the design industry, including advertising? Digital technology has, quite simply, moved us away from using our well trained drawing and drafting skills using technical pens, ink and paper, to an environment where we are working with computers to construct virtual images on lighted tablets and monitors.
Today we can display breathtaking details and nearly instantly take our view from 10,000 feet to microscopic. As such the world of design has certainly been absorbed by the seemingly magical features of our new digital tools.
Of course, such paradigm shifts do not happen every day, but when they do there is often no returning to the former status quo. So it is with digital tools in the fields of design and advertising.
Digital Tools in the Sciences
Question: What kinds of digital tools are in the service of science? From exotic digital cameras, to 3D printers, to large format printers and the software for data visualization, scientists make productive use of contemporary computer related technologies to push the limits of their work and make their ideas available to viewers. These are the same tools used by designers and artists.
In this chapter no attempt will be made to construct a comprehensive list of the myriad tools that both creatives and scientists use to investigate their ideas. What we do offer is a sampling of some of the best publicized and perhaps more common digital tools, along with descriptions of the context in which they are used, and some specific examples of the products that come from their employment.
Of course, such paradigm shifts do not happen every day, but when they do there is often no returning to the former status quo. So it is with digital tools in the broader context of the sciences.
Second, below are two simple questions for each chapter which should be used as a guide for reviewing this material:
Chapter 11: Digital Tools in Design and Advertising.
11-1. What did you learn that was new to you in this chapter?
11-2. What comments do you have about the material in this chapter?
11-3. Please share your thoughts regarding the Artist Interview at the end of this chapter.
Chapter 12: Digital Tools in the Sciences.
12-1. What did you learn that was new to you in this chapter?
12-2. What comments do you have about the material in this chapter?
Sample Solution