Speakers

Professor David Benyon

Director of Centre for Interaction Design
Edinburgh Napier University

His research is based in human-computer interaction (HCI), particularly in the application of knowledge-based techniques to HCI. This combination takes us away from the idea of humans interacting with computers towards a view of HCI based on multiple interacting systems - some of these are human, others are artificial agents and others are non-intelligent information artefacts. People are then in a information space consisting of these other people, agents and artefacts. They have to navigate through this space.

Jon-Paul Dyson

J.P. is a gamer and an expert on the evolution of children’s literature and culture. He holds a doctorate in American cultural history, is Vice President for Exhibit Research and Development at Strong National Museum of Play®, and led the team that designed and produced the museum’s 12,000-square-foot Reading Adventureland exhibit. Often called “the world’s biggest pop-up book,” this highly hands-on exhibit combines artifacts and interactivity in unique ways and includes many literary items that helped inspire electronic-game imagery.

Michael Schmalz

President, Digital Extremes

Dejan Momcilovic

WETAFX studios, New Zealand

Dejan will discuss the role of motion capture in the production process in the movies in which Weta Digital played a lead role.

Weta Digital won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects on James Cameron’s Avatar. Their work on the film involved using a new camera system and shooting on a virtual stage. New technologies were developed for supporting software and a new production pipeline in order to reach a new level of creative and technological excellence, delivering the film in 3D.