Gary Jacobs Headshot

Gary Jacobs

Associate Professor

School of Design
College of Art and Design
Undergraduate Program Director, 3D Digital Design

585-475-6987
Office Mailing Address
1 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623

Gary Jacobs

Associate Professor

School of Design
College of Art and Design
Undergraduate Program Director, 3D Digital Design

Education

BFA, University of Northern Colorado; MFA, Pennsylvania State University

Bio

Gary D. Jacobs has over twenty years of digital design and illustration experience.

His clients and projects include theme park attractions, public architectural spaces and environmental graphics. He enjoys working with clients to create evocative visual solutions that engage and involve the viewer in interactive experiences.

585-475-6987

Areas of Expertise

Select Scholarship

Shows/Exhibits/Installations
Jacobs, Gary D. Airport Canopy. 2 Nov. 2018. Rochester International Airport, Rochester. Installation.

Currently Teaching

DDDD-201
3 Credits
This course provides extensive coverage of methods for modeling where evaluation of the appropriate modeling method to use in various situations is key. The emphasis in the course is on problem solving. Modeling challenges of various types are incorporated into the projects. With these techniques students create complex models of organic and inorganic forms using many techniques.
DDDD-207
3 Credits
The course will focus on advanced techniques in lighting, materials, and rendering. Students will light objects and spaces. Students will use shading networks to incorporate groups of two-dimensional and three-dimensional textures into realistic and non-photorealistic materials. Students will learn to use texture maps instead of detail in models to increase interaction speeds. Textures are used to prototype simple models into complex scenes before completion of final geometry. Normal maps and displacement textures are used to create detail in model UVs. Use of the node-based system to control many aspects of the 3D environment is covered. Use of textures to simulate non-dynamic lights and shadows is introduced. Planning for the economical use of textures and for the replacement of models with texture maps in level of detail (LOD) situations will be addressed as well. Students will learn to design effective render layers and explore the strengths and weaknesses of various renderers to make effective judgments about which renderer to use in a given situation.
DDDD-498
1 - 6 Credits
This course exposes students to the professional environment through outside job opportunities in at places of employment that utilize three-dimensional software for various applications and other acceptable organizations. Students will work under the guidance of Art Directors, Technical Directors, or other professionals in the field and perform creative work that is educational and meaningful for their short-term academic goals as well as their long-range career preparation. Documentation of the experience is required and final review from employer is required documenting the kind and quality of work performed. Students must obtain pre-approval of their department and complete the Internship Approval Form. Credit earned is used toward elective or major elective credits.
DDDD-522
3 Credits
This course covers modeling techniques useful in developing environments, both interior and exterior. The content of the course covers proportions appropriate to a variety of environments, lighting for spaces, surface design to replicate real world materials, and building to an appropriate level of detail for the circumstance.
DDDD-599
1 - 6 Credits
3D Digital Design Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty advisor will propose a course of study. 3D Digital Design independent study students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll.
IDDE-799
1 - 6 Credits
Industrial Design Independent Study provides students the means to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. With the assistance of their faculty advisers, students will propose a course of study. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. **NOTE: Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA **