Robert John Lansdown

© Robert John Lansdown

Robert John Lansdown : Computer graphics pioneer, polymath and Professor Emeritus at Middlesex University's Centre for Electronic Arts (2 January 1929 - 17 February 1999)

A PORTRAIT OF ROBERT JOHN LANSDOWN Note to the readers : The following presentation of Robert John Lansdown is a literal reproduction of his obituary. Robert John Lansdown was brought up in the Maindy district of Cardiff, surrounded by an extended family of aunts and uncles in neighbouring streets. His aspiration for a naval career was brought to an abrupt end at the age of 15, when a swimming accident at the Reardon Smith Nautical School in Cardiff, led to the permanent loss of sight in his right eye. A new career presented itself when his father showed him a small ad in the local paper, which led him to become one of the UK's last articled architectural pupils at ECM Wilmott. He returned to his old school's building, which by then housed the Welsh School of Architecture, to graduate Dip Arch with distinction in 1951. One of his earliest professional activities was to work on the famous brick scoreboard behind the East Terrace of the old Cardiff Arms Park. He joined a practice in London as an architectural assistant, rising to associate and eventually becoming a Partner in Turner, Lansdown, Holt & Paterson where he identified the impact of operational research, mathematics and eventually computing on architecture. In his 30 years as architect and planner, he developed master plans for the tourist industry in Morocco and Cyprus, the layout of the Bay Area, Asuncion, Paraguay as well as buildings all over the UK (including the Hampstead Theatre) and Europe. From 1960 to 1975, he won many prizes for planning and architecture, including three wins at the Welsh National Eisteddfod. In 1968 he was made a fellow of the RIBA. As early as 1960, John Lansdown was a believer in the use of computers for architecture and other creative activities. He pioneered the use of computers as an aid to planning, making perspective drawings on an Elliott 803 computer in 1963, modelling buildings lifts and services, plotting the annual fall of daylight across its site, and authoring his own Computer Aided Design applications. He joined the British Computer Society in 1964 and becoming Fellow of the Society in 1986. He also joined the Association of Computing Machinery in 1972 and Eurographics in 1983. From the early 1970s to the 1990s, he took influential roles in several professional bodies, and on committees of the RIBA, SERC, NCC, BCS, RSA, BSI and CNAA. He chaired several of these, such as the SERC Building Sub-Committee, through which he drove the world leading strategy for developing Computer Aided Architectural Design in UK Universities. He had enormous influence as founder member and secretary of the Computer Arts Society (1968-1991) and was on the British Computer Society Council (1980-83). He was on ten editorial boards and chaired and organised many international conferences. 'Event One' at the RCA (1969) and 'Interact' at the Edinburgh Festival (1973) were seminal events in establishing the use of computers for the creation of art works. Living in central London, he had industrial links with Ove Arup Partners and Crosfield Electronics. From 1977, with his colleague George Mallen and others from the Computer Arts Society, John Lansdown founded 'System Simulation', a company he chaired until 1988. Through it, he developed major innovations in computer animation, such as special effects for advertisements, the feature films Alien, Saturn III and Heavy Metal and the realisation of the original animated Channel 4 logo. John created what was then the world's largest computer generated mural, reviewed in 'Building Design' as a 'waste of electricity', although few today would question the bright power of his creative output. He became directly involved in Education as Senior Visiting Fellow at the Department of Architectural Science, University of Sydney from 1983, taking up visiting roles in the Royal College of Art, St Martin's School of Art, City University, the Universities of London, Bournemouth and Derby, and maintaining links with Universities in France, Germany, Holland and Spain. He joined the staff of Middlesex Polytechnic (now University) in 1988 as Head of the Centre for Advanced Studies in Computer Aided Art and Design (now Centre for Electronic Arts), also becoming Dean of the Faculty of Art, Design and Performing Arts on the retirement of Peter Green in 1992 and then Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University in 1993. He relinquished these roles on formal retirement in 1995, but continued to be very active and influential as Emeritus Professor in the Centre for Electronic Arts. He continued, through supervision and example, the role of 'research mentor' that led to the Centre for Electronic Arts gaining Middlesex University's highest research rating in the 1996 HEFCE Research Assessment Exercise. John Lansdown's range of publications began to diversify from the early 1970s. His oeuvre includes the classic 'Teach Yourself Computer Graphics' (Hodder and Stoughton, 1987), algorithmically generated images, animations, compositions, conversations, sword fights and choreography, such as the 18 minute dance piece 'A/C/S/H/O' commissioned by the 'One Extra Dance Company' and performed at the Sydney Opera House in 1990. He contributed as author and/or editor to 34 books and made over 100 conference and journal publications from the early 1980s. He had the great knack of being able to explain complex issues in layperson's terms without trivialisation. The fifty one articles in his regular quarterly series, 'Not only computing - also art' in 'Computer Bulletin' (1980-1992) introduced readers to subjects as diverse as Escher, Rubik cubes, word processing, chaos theory and Turing. He has been referred to as 'the British Martin Gardner'. He provided a six monthly series of internal 'State of the Art Reports' for British Telecom Laboratories to keep them up to date with new technical trends; each of these was of book length and of publishable quality. A careful theoretician, he believed in a 'hands on' approach, developing his own software in up to date languages - his last conquest was JavaScript. As an academic he embraced multimedia and the World Wide Web, contributing to innovative courses in the Centre for Electronic Arts, such as the MA Design for Interactive Media and MA Digital Arts. His latest enthusiasms were for the lively Sonic Arts group and the brand new course that allies his two major disciplines, the MA Digital Architecture. The most genial and witty companion in a small group, John Lansdown disliked public ceremony, even those that celebrated his own successes. As a youth, he returned home, disgusted with his own performance, before he was announced as prize winning pianist at an Eisteddfod. Those who worked closely with him will remember his positive attitudes and infectious enthusiasms, his sheer humanity and subtle sense of humour, expressed in finely crafted language. Many research students were springboarded into successful careers through his encouragement and inventiveness as supervisor. As Dean of a wide ranging faculty, he attended performances and exhibitions right across the remit of Art, Design and Performing Arts not just through a sense of duty, but because he was genuinely interested in the work. Typically, he shunned the publicity of private views, but attended at quiet times to give the work proper attention. He was always ready talk to individuals of any grade, leaving them sure that their concerns had been taken into consideration, and even when he was forced to take unpopular decisions, he was universally liked. He was strongly principled in 'secular radicalism' (George Mallen's phrase) which he disseminated through example rather than by preaching. Never physically robust, he encouraged others to extreme physical expression through dance, fashion and experimentation in music - he only attended concerts which included at least one work by a living composer. Having sight only in one eye, he hated being left out in the era of binocular 3D computer effects, I remember him rapidly oscillating a card in front of his good eye so that he could 'see' the autostereogram hidden on it. What he really enjoyed was the rough and tumble of intellectual debate, caring little himself for worldly considerations, which were expertly looked after by Dot, his constant companion and wife of 47 years. For one who encouraged experimental thinking, he was surprisingly conservative in two ways, the plainness of his personal dress and food tastes, and his abstention from alcohol stemming from the temperance classes he attended in Cardiff's Corey Hall during his youth. At our last lunch together, he bemoaned the failure of his campaign for the clip-on ties he always wore and complained that there were no plain sandwiches in the University canteen as he drank his usual cup of weak Earl Grey tea. He continued to work, joking about the blood 'top ups' that left him physically weak, in his usually inventive way until his final hospitalisation. Over that last lunch, we discussed Markov chains, Hollywood musicals and Alan Turing before he dragged me off to demonstrate the amazing graphics in the latest computer game on the much admired iMac he'd acquired earlier that week. He became directly involved in Education as Senior Visiting Fellow at the Department of Architectural Science, University of Sydney from 1983, taking up visiting roles in the Royal College of Art, St Martin's School of Art, City University, the Universities of London, Bournemouth and Derby, and maintaining links with Universities in France, Germany, Holland and Spain. I can imagine his final irritation at not being here to visit the completed Millennium Dome, as he'd enthused over the 1951 Dome of Discovery, and his utter fury on missing the long planned family visit to Cornwall for this summer's total eclipse, raging at not seeing 'the dying of the light'. Within a day of John Lansdown's death, tributes began to flow in from all over the world, 'a great believer in teaching by example', 'his breadth of thought, his wit', 'what a loss', 'a pioneer of computer graphics in the UK', 'wisdom and pragmatic approach', 'one of the people who has influenced and inspired my career'. What was universal in these was that John Lansdown was 'a sensitive and congenial man in all aspects of his life. He has inspired many over his lifetime and much of his knowledge will now live on in others'. He leaves his wife Dot (Dorothy), his son Robert and daughter Karen, their spouses and 5 grandchildren.

JOHN LANSDONW'S CURRICULUM VITAE 1. BIOGRAPHIC SUMMARY Name LANSDOWN, Professor Robert John Born 2 January 1929, Maindy, Cardiff, Wales Died 17 February 1999, University College Hospital, London; of Leukaemia   2. LAST & RECENT POSTS 1995-1999 Senior Consultant: System Simulation Ltd 1995-1999 Emeritus Professor of Computer Aided Art and Design, Middlesex University 1992-1995 Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dean of Faculty of Art, Design and Performing Arts 1993-1995 Campus Head, Cat Hill and Quicksilver Place 1988-1995 Head of Centre for Electronic Arts - CEA (formerly Centre for Advanced Studies in Computer Aided Art and Design)   3. EDUCATION Sept 1941 - Mar 1944 Reardon Smith Nautical School, Cathays Park, Cardiff Mar 1944 - Mar 1947 Articled Pupil, ECM Willmott, Charles Street, Cardiff Sept 1946 - July 1947: Welsh School of Architecture, Cathays Park, Cardiff Part Time Oct 1947 - Sept 1951: Welsh School of Architecture, Cathays Park, Cardiff Full Time   4. QUALIFICATIONS 1951 Diploma of Architecture (Distinction) Welsh School of Architecture 1952 Architects Registration Council of the United Kingdom Registered Architect 00022238K 1986 20th Anniversary Award British Computer Society Displays Group For contributions to development of computing in architecture and the arts 1952 Associate Royal Institute of British Architects ARIBA 1965 Fellow Royal Institute of British Architects FRIBA   5. MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND LEARNED SOCIETIES 1964 Member 1986 Fellow British Computer Society: M00147495 1972 Member Association for Computing Machinery (USA) Member 1194349 1983 Member European Association for Computer Graphics Member 1183 1988 Fellow Royal Society of Arts   6. CAREER DETAILS 1995-1999 Senior Consultant: System Simulation Ltd 1993-1995 Dean and Pro-Vice Chancellor: Faculty of Art, Design and Performing Arts, Middlesex University 1993-1995 Campus Head: Cat Hill and Quicksilver Place 1993-1999 Visiting Professor, University of Derby 1992-1993 Acting Dean: Faculty of Art and Design, Middlesex University 1988 Visiting Professor, Department of Architectural Science, Sydney University 1991 Commonwealth Visiting Fellow, Department of Architectural and Design Science, Sydney University 1988-1995 Head: Centre for Electronic Arts (formerly Centre for Advanced Studies in Computer Aided Art and Design), Middlesex University 1988-1989 Acting Head: School of Communication Design, Middlesex University 1985-1987 Senior Visiting Fellow, Department of Physics and Electronic Engineering, City University, London 1985 Senior Visiting Fellow, Department of Architectural Science, Sydney University 1985-1989 Part-time Tutor on Postgraduate Graphics and Computers course, St Martins School of Art 1984-1985 Senior Visiting Fellow, Department of Communication, Dorset Institute of Higher Education (now Bournemouth University) 1983-1985 Part-time Consultant, Media Computer Graphics Ltd and Allied International Designers PLC 1983-1986 Senior Research Fellow and Tutor, Department of Design Research, Royal College of Art 1983 Senior Visiting Fellow, Department of Architectural Science, Sydney University 1980-1989 Honorary Architect, British Computer Society 1977-1988 Part-time Chair: System Simulation Ltd, Analysis/Research/Design 1955-1983 Partner: Turner Lansdown Holt and Paterson, Architects and Planning Consultants   7. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY Research interests included computer assisted art, design and performing arts, perception and cognition, self-organising systems, and artificial intelligence,   8. PUBLIC OUTPUT FROM RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY See 22   9. COMPLETED RESEARCH SUPERVISION (after 1980) 1984 Alan Finkelstein PhD: Second Supervisor: The application of information systems analysis to the activity of the design of complex systems 1985 Mike King PhD: Director of Studies: An integrated system for artists 1985 Sheena Rogers PhD: Second Supervisor Representation and reality: Gibson's concept of information and the problem of pictures 1989 Keith Waters PhD: Advisor A muscle model for animating three-dimensional facial expression 1993 Irene Leake PhD: Director of Studies Apprehending movement of the human figure through the medium of drawing 1994 Simon Schofield PhD: Director of Studies Non-photorealistic rendering 1994 Avon Huxor PhD: Director of Studies Artificial intelligence as writing 1996 Charles Gere PHD: Director of Studies The Computer as Irrational Cabinet   10. TEACHING Teaching mainly confined to Master's level work. Subjects taught include perception and cognition, animation, computer assisted art and design, design methodology, research methods, the designer's information environment.   11. PEDAGOGIC INTERESTS Perception and cognition, animation, computer assisted art and design, design methodology, research methods, new modes of teaching   12. MEMBERSHIP OF UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES AND TASK GROUPS 1988-1992 Art and Design Faculty Board 1988-1992 Art and Design IT Committee (Convenor) 1989-1993 University Research Committee 1989-1999 University Research Degrees Committee 1992-1993 University IT Task Group (Convenor) 1992-1993 University Academic Structure Task Group 1993-1995 Art, Design and Performing Arts Faculty Management Team (Chair) 1993-1995 Cat Hill and Quicksilver Place Management Team (Chair) 1993-1995 Cat Hill and Quicksilver Place Health and Safety Committee (Chair) 1993-1995 University Management Team 1993-1995 University Academic Board 1993-1995 University Professorial Recommending Committee 1993-1995 University Interactive Video Task Group 1993-1995 University Finance System Task Group 1995-1997 University Media Studies Task Group 1997-1999 School Research Committee 1998-1999 Art and Design Research Committee   13. ADMINISTRATIVE ROLES 1988-1993 Course Head, MA Computing in Design 1991-1995 Course Head, MA Image Synthesis and Computer Animation   14. RELEVANT EXTERNAL ACTIVITIES 1968-1991 Honorary Secretary, Computer Arts Society 1971-1973 Chair, RIBA Design Methods Panel 1971-1976 Chair, Building Sub-committee, SERC 1972-1978 Part time Director and Choreographer, Another Dance Group 1972-1975 Member, Management Board, Oval House 1974-1976 Member, Education and Training Panel, SERC 1974-1978 Member, Engineering Interactive Facility Committee, SERC 1975-1978 Member, Standing Committee on Computing, National Consultative Council 1975-1976 CAD Consultant, National Consultative Council Standing Committee 1976-1980 CAD Consultant, SERC 1983 CAD Consultant, SERC 1980-1983 Member, Council of British Computer Society (BCS) 1984-1990 Member, RIBA Computer Committee 1984-1986 Director, Board of Construction Industries Computing Association 1985 Member, Visiting Board, Dorset Institute of HE (now Bournemouth University) 1985-1987 Member, BCS Technical Board 1985-1987 Member, Graphics Board, CNAA 1985-1991 Alvey Monitor: PRISM real-time graphics project 1986-1989 Member BCS Committee on Graphics in Design and Manufacturing 1987-1999 Member, Advisory Group, Royal Society of Arts: Design Bursaries Competition 1987-1990 BCS Representative, BSI Committee on Design Management Terminology 1990 Expert Witness: Spaceward Systems 1987-1995 Member BCS Committee: Computer Graphics & Display Group 1987-1989 Specialist Advisor, Graphics Board, CNAA 1993-1994 Member, Advisory Group on Computer Graphics, SERC 1993-1999 Member, Professorial Recommending Committee, University of Westminster Since the mid-1960s he was on the organising and programming committees for many international conferences and exhibitions concerned with computer aided arts, design and performance.   14a. MEMBERSHIP OF EDITORIAL BOARDS 1980-1984 Member, Editorial Board, CAD/CAM Digest 1984-1993 Associate Editor, Computer Bulletin 1986-1987 Member, Editorial Board, Design Computing 1987- 1993 Member, Editorial Board, Visual Computer 1988-1999 Member, Editorial Board, Computer Graphics Forum 1988-1999 Member, Editorial Board, Design Studies 1988-1990 Member, Editorial Board, Computer Images 1989-1999 Member, Editorial Board, Leonardo 1990-1999 Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Visualisation and Computer Animation 1988-1993 Member, Editorial Board, Cambridge Series in Human-Computer Interaction 1997-1999 Member, Online Journal, Design Computing   15. MEDIA EXPERIENCE No recent media experience but have appeared on Tomorrows World, Open University programmes, Schools Programs and on radio. Worked on the films Alien, Saturn III and Heavy Metal and have had many computer animations in TV commercials and features all over the world. By virtue of a column 'Not only computing - also art' written for the quarterly Computer Bulletin between 1970 and 1992, he had extensive popular writing experience.   16. CONSULTANCY 1965-1999 Wide range of consultancy work in architecture, planning , computer aided design, computing, film and television   17. INDUSTRIAL LINKS Close industrial links with a number of companies in architecture and computing such as Ove Arup and Partners, System Simulation and Crosfield Electronics   18. EXTERNAL EXAMINATING EXPERIENCE 1988-1992 B Arch Course: Bartlett School of Architecture, University College, London: External examiner (Computing and Design Theory component) 1988-1992 MA Graphic Design: Leicester Polytechnic: External examiner 1988-1993 MA Computing in Architecture: ABACUS, School of Architecture, Strathclyde University: External examiner 1993-1995 Computing in Design (Master's level), SCAN, Groningen, Holland: External examiner 1970-1999 External MPhil/PhD Examiner for many Universities in UK and abroad; most recently (1992-1997): Universities of Bath; Sheffield; Manchester (3); Loughborough; Strathclyde; De Montfort; Sydney NSW (4); Queens, Dublin; Royal College of Art; Open University, University of Ulster; Sussex University (3)   19. RESEARCH GRANTS AND AWARDS 1960-1975 Various Architecture and Planning Prizes (including three times National Eisteddfod winner) 1979 Arts Council of Great Britain Video Bursary (for creation of dance and video work) 1981-1982 Fellowship, RIBA Conference Fund (for report on expert systems in architecture) 1991 Commonwealth Visiting Fellowship, Australia   20. OVERSEAS LINKS ERAMUS links (student exchange) with CNBDI, Angouleme (near Bordeaux), University of the Balearics, Palma, Mallorca, Utrecht School of Arts, Hilversum ERASMUS links (staff exchange and pedagogic development) with SCAN, Gronigen, and School of Arts, Leipzig Other informal links with Sydney University, Australia   22. PUBLIC OUTPUT FROM RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY Selected Publications 1980-1995: Excludes book reviews and confidential reports on high technology matters and expert witness evidence for commercial organisations, the British Technology Group and the Alvey Directorate. Except for the FROLIC Manual (a major commissioned work, 1983), the list also excludes purely technical instruction booklets and manuals on particular software packages for students. It includes a selection of invited presentations where papers were formally given but no proceedings were published.   Authored books : 1982 Expert Systems: Their Impact on the Construction Industry, RIBA Conference Fund, London 106pp 1983 FROLIC User Manual, System Simulation, London 120pp 1987 Teach Yourself Computer Graphics, Hodder and Stoughton, Sevenoaks 232pp ISBN 0 340 40819 7 1988 Grafismos em Computador, (transl. E Nogueira), Editorial Presença, Lisbon 241pp (Portuguese translation of ISBN 0 340 40819 7) 1990 Grafika Komputerowa (transl. J Zabrodzki and M Lakomy) Wydawnicta Naukowa-Techniczne, Warsaw (Polish translation of ISBN 0 340 40819 7) 1993 Computer graphics: A tool for the artist, designer and amateur, Eurographics, Barcelona 45pp (ISSN 1017-4656) 1996 Visual Perception, Centre for Electronic Arts, Middlesex University 200pp 1996 Modelling Living Forms, Centre for Electronic Arts, Middlesex University 200pp   Books edited : 1980 Computer Graphics 80 Proceedings, (ed) Online Publications, Pinner 604pp 1981 Computer Graphics 81 Proceedings, (ed) Online Publications, Pinner 545pp 1982 Business Graphics for IBM Users (5 editions 1982-1985), Xephon, Maidenhead 130pp 1982 Business Graphics Workbook (5 editions 1982-1985), Xephon, Maidenhead 1982 Business Graphics, (ed) Pergamon, Oxford 328pp ISBN 008 028566 X 1982 Computer Graphics 82 Proceedings, (ed) Online Publications, Pinner 392pp 1983 Computer Graphics 83 Proceedings, (ed) Online Publications, Pinner 776pp 1989 Computers in Art, Design and Animation (ed with RA Earnshaw), Springer-Verlag, New York 305pp ISBN 0 387 96896 2   Articles in edited books : 1980 'Is the Computer a Tool?: The Question in an Art Context': In Sundin B (ed), Is the Computer a Tool?, Almqvist & Wiskell, Stockholm pp25-35 1985 'Visual Perception and Computer Graphics': In Earnshaw RA (ed), Fundamental Algorithms for Computer Graphics, Springer-Verlag, Berlin pp1005-1026 1985 'Object and Movement Description Techniques for Animation: An Informal Review': In Earnshaw RA (ed), Fundamental Algorithms for Computer Graphics, Springer-Verlag, Berlin pp1029-1037 1986 'Requirements of Knowledge-Based Systems in Design': In Pipes A (ed), Computer-Aided Architectural Design Futures, Butterworths, London pp120-127 1987 'Computer Graphics in Design': In Rogers DF and Earnshaw RA (eds), Techniques for Computer Graphics, Springer-Verlag, New York pp 1987 'Design in Computer Graphics: A Plea for Visual Literacy': In Rogers DF and Earnshaw RA (eds), Techniques for Computer Graphics, Springer-Verlag, New York pp 1987 'Introduction to Computer Graphics': In Earnshaw RA et al (eds), Geometric Modelling and Computer Graphics, Technical Press, Aldershot 1987 'Methods of Presentation of 3-D Structures': In Earnshaw RA et al (eds), Geometric Modelling and Computer Graphics, Technical Press, Aldershot 1987 'Some Notes on Fractals': In Earnshaw RA et al (eds), Geometric Modelling and Computer Graphics, Technical Press, Aldershot 1988 'Graphics, Design and Artificial Intelligence': In Earnshaw RA (ed) Theoretical Foundations of Computer Graphics and CAD, Springer, Berlin 1989 'Generative techniques in graphical computer art: Some possibilities and practices', In Lansdown J and Earnshaw RA Computers in Art, Design and Animation, Springer-Verlag, New York pp56-79 1989 'A theory of computer-aided design: A possible approach', In Lansdown J and Earnshaw RA Computers in Art, Design and Animation, Springer-Verlag, New York pp163-172 1990 'Understanding the digital image', In Barlow HB, Blakemore C and Weston-Smith M (eds), Images and Understanding, CUP, Cambridge pp227-234 1990 'Trends and Lessons (Trends und Lektionen)', In Leopoldseder H (ed), Der Prix Ars Electronica: International Compendium of the Computer Arts, Veritas, Linz pp70-75 1991 'Chaos, design and creativity', Chapter 9 in Crilly A, Jones H and Earnshaw RA (eds), Fractals and Chaos, Springer, New York pp211-224 (ISBN 0-387-97362-1 and 3-540-97362-1) 1992 'Mnemotechnics and the challenge of hypermedia', In Cunningham S and Hubbold RJ (eds) Interactive Learning through Visualisation: The Impact of Computer Graphics in Education, Springer, New York pp37-48 (ISBN 3-540-55106-0 and 0-387-55105-0) 1992 'Visual Learning (Visual Literacy)', In Cunningham S and Hubbold RJ (eds) Interactive Learning through Visualisation: The Impact of Computer Graphics in Education, Springer, New York pp243-249 (ISBN 3-540-55106-0 and 0-387-55105-0) 1992 'Computer Graphics and Visualisation: A review of image presentation', In Meimaris M (ed), Computer Image Synthesis and Animation, ATE, Athens pp87-96 1993 'Chaos, complexity and design applications', Chapter 12 in Crilly A, Jones H and Earnshaw RA (eds), Applications of Fractals and Chaos, Springer, New York pp207-214 (ISBN 3-540-56492-6 and 0-387-5692-6) 1994 'Visualising design ideas', In MacDonald L and Vince J (eds) Interacting with Virtual Environments, Wiley, New York, pp61-77 1997 'Some Trends in Computer Graphic Art', In Mealing S (ed), Computers and Art, Intellect, Exeter pp11-21   Refereed articles in academic journals : 1987 (with C Roast) 'The Possibilities and Problems of Knowledge-Based Systems for Design', Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design (14) pp255-266 1987 'The Creative Aspects of CAD: A Possible Approach', Design Studies, April (8) 2 pp76-81 1989 'The Designers' Information Environment: Tools for design knowledge manipulation', Civil Engineering Systems (6) 1-2 pp5-10 1995 (with Simon Schofield) 'Expressive rendering: an assessment and review of non-photorealistic techniques', IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, (15) 3 pp 29-37 1996 (with Huw Jones) 'Computer Graphics Activity in the UK', ACM SIGGRAPH Computer Graphics, May pp13-14   Other refereed articles : 1982 'Computer Assisted Animation', Computer Graphics World, April 54 pp30-33   Refereed and published conference proceedings : 1981 'Expert Systems and the Architect', Preprints Expert Systems 81 Conference, London 6pp 1981 'Graphical Input and Digitising Techniques: A Review', Proceedings Online CG81 Conference, London pp185-214 1982 'Whatever Happened to Computer Art?' Proceedings Eurographics 82 Conference, Manchester pp85-89 1982 'Computer Aided Animation - A Concise Review', Proceedings Online CG82 Conference, London pp279-290 1983 'Object and Movement Description Techniques for Animation: An Informal Review', Proceedings of 1st Australian Computer Graphics Conference, Sydney 1983 'The Economics of Computer-Aided Animation', Proceedings Online CG83 Conference, London pp267-275 1983 'Dealing with Uncertainty and Imprecision', Proceedings PArC83 Conference, London pp233-241 1986 'Understanding the Digital Image', Proceedings Images and Understanding Symposium, London 1987 'Computers and Visualisation of Design Ideas: Possibilities and Promises': In Wagter H (ed) CAAD Futures 87, University of Technology, Eindhoven 1988 'The Designers' Information Environment', Proceedings Artificial Intelligence in Civil Engineering Conference, Melbourne pp3-17 1991 'Mnemotechnics and the challenge of hypermedia', Proceedings Computer Graphics and Education 91 Conference, Barcelona 8pp 1994 'Design and the virtual studio: Some remarks on the impact of computing in design', In The Virtual Studio Conference Proceedings, Strathclyde University, and Working Paper, Centre for Electronic Arts, Middlesex University 17pp 1995 'Knowledge discovery from image databases (KDID)', in Gero JS and Sudweeks F, Research Directions for Artificial Intelligence in Design, Key Centre for Design Computing, Sydney pp45-48 1998 'A language model for designing', (in press)   Other conference proceedings : 1981 (with T Diment) 'Tomorrow's Office', Proceedings Computervision 81 Conference, London pp18-21 1981 'From Today Photography is Dead - The Impact of Computers on Graphics', Proceedings Den Nya Datakraften Conference, Stockholm 1983 'Expert Systems and Building', Proceedings Expert Systems Symposium, Sydney 1985 'Knowledge and Information in the Office of the Future', Proceedings Computer Symposium, Henley College 10pp 1985 'A Short Review of Some Shape Representation Techniques': In Low Budget Animation on Microcomputers, Ausgraph85 Tutorial Notes 10pp 1985 'Building Intelligence into Authoring', Authoring Systems Conference, Gatwick also Working Paper, System Simulation, London 1985 'Knowledge and Information in the Design Office of the Future', Proceedings RIBA Computer Symposium, London 6pp 1987 'A Day in the Life of a Designer, AD 2001', Proceedings Arup Annual Conference, London pp240-247 1987 'A Theory of Computer Aided Design - A Possible Approach', Proceedings Computers and Design Symposium, London 1987 'Some Notes on the Impact of Computing on Design, Lecture 3': In Kramel HE (ed), Architectural Education and the Information Explosion, ETH, Zurich 10pp 1988 'Computer Graphics: A Tool for the Artist, Designer and Amateur': In de Ruiter MM (ed), Advances in Computer Graphics III, Springer-Verlag, Berlin pp147-175 1988 'Information and Designers', Design Symposium, Sydney, NSW and as CEA Working Paper, Middlesex University 1988 'Developments in Computer Graphics', Proceedings RIBA Computer Symposium, London 1988 'Computer Art', Proceedings PLEIAS Conference, Paris 6pp 1988 'The Opponent Process Theory of Colour: Its Possibilities as a Computer Graphics Colour Model', Proceedings Colour and Computer Graphics Symposium, London 10pp 1988 'Computing and Typography', Gulbenkian Seminar, London 1988 'Current ideas in computer art', Graphics Symposium, IBM Scientific Centre, Winchester 1988 'Design management', Design Forum, Birmingham 1988 'Computers in design', Computing Symposium, Bath University 1988 'Computer graphics', Tutorial, Eurographics UK, University of Sussex 1988 'Architectural Computing', Public lecture, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow 1989 'But what is computer art?: Some remarks on Brian Reffin Smith's remarks', InCooper M (ed), Proceedings Art Education and the Computer Conference, Cambridge pp10-16 1989 'Design methods and computing' RIBA Experienced Users Forum, London 1989 'Computing and Art', Art and Design seminar, Poole 1989 'Hypermedia', Public lecture, Birkbeck College, London 1989 'Where next?', William Latham Exhibition Seminar, Whitechapel Art Gallery, London 1989 'Computer Graphics: The European Picture', Design Symposium, Venice 1989 'Potential for Computing', RCA Computing Symposium, London 1990 'Education or training: Intellectual development or preparation for commerce?', Proceedings PIRA Conference, London 1990 'Artificial Intuition', AI and Design Conference, Delft 1990 'Can computers design?', RIBA Computer Creativity Conference, London 1990 'Working at Master's Level', Education Symposium, Arnhem 1990 'Designing Research', Research Workshop, Utrecht 1990 'Computer art: 30 years on', British Eurographics Conference, Bath 1990 'Chaos and Fractals', ACM British Chapter Lecture, City University, London 1990 'Mice and Menus', Introductory talk to Diploma Exhibition, St Martins, London 1990 'Future CAD Possibilities', Keynote address, Sonata User Group Conference, Birmingham 1991 'Current Developments inVisualisation', RIBA Computing Conference, London 1991 'The Future of CAD-CAM in Design', SPRINT Conference, London also CEA Working Paper, Middlesex University 1991 'Computer Art Today', Public Lecture, BCS Leicester Group 1991 'Designer's Information Needs', CSD 'Knowledge is Power II' Symposium, London 1991 'Design and Interface Design', Ergonomics Unit Symposium, London University 1991 'Order and Complexity', Architectural Design Symposium, Adelaide also CEA Working Paper, Middlesex University 1991 'Multimedia and Hypermedia', Public lecture, Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 1991 'Chaos Theory and Design', Public lecture, Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 1991 'Visualisation', Understanding Design Symposium, Sydney, NSW 1991 'Computer Graphics and Visualisation', Proceedings Media Computer Conference, Athens 12pp 1991 'Visualising Design', European Design Symposium, Helsinki 1992 'Chaos: Is it real?', Proceedings Fractals and Chaos II Conference, London 7 pp 1992 'Writing programs to dance to', BCS Computers and Music Conference, London also CEA Working Paper, Middlesex University 1992 'Colour and Visualisation', Visualisation Conference, Rutherford Laboratory, Didcot 1993 'The main artistic trends in computer graphics', In Imagina93 Proceedings, Monaco 8pp 1993 'Art and Electronic Media: Will the new media bring new arts?', In Media Seminar Proceedings, Liepzig 1993 'Using the computer to augment creativity: Computer choreography' In Creativity and Cognition Conference Proceedings, Loughborough University 15pp. 1993 'The role of computing in design practice and education', Paper to International Conference on Design and Technology Educational Research and Curriculum Development, Loughborough University 7pp 1995 'Artificial creativity: An algorithmic approach to art', Working Paper, Centre for Electronic Arts, Middlesex University (Brighton Conference Paper) 6pp 1995 'Design Principles for computer graphics', Tutorial Notes, Eurographics, Maastricht, The Netherlands (shortly to be republished as a book in the Eurographics Tutorial Series) 1995 'Artificial creativity: An algorithmic approach to art', In Beardon C (ed) Digital Creativity: Proceedings of CADE 95, University of Brighton, Brighton, pages 31-35 1995 'Computer-generated choreography revisited', In Robertson A, Proceedings of 4D Dynamics Conference, De Montfort University, Leicester, pages 89-99   Exhibitions : 1983 Royal College of Art, 'Computer Graphics Today', RCA, 4 computer graphics works   Review articles : 1984 (with TW Maver) 'CAD in Architecture and Building', CAD Journal (16) 3 pp148-154 1984 'Expert Systems: Knowledge for Designers', Architects' Journal (179) 6 pp55-58 1984 'Expert Systems: A Prototype for Designers', Architects' Journal (179) 7 pp75-77 1985 'Videodiscs and Visual Databases',Computer Bulletin, Sept (2) 3 pp8-12 1982 'Graphical Input', CADCAM International , Nov 1982 pp35-38 1986 'Drawing the Line: An Interview with Jack Bresenham', Computer Bulletin, (2) 4 pp34-37 1986 (with P Lever) 'Coping With Changing Computers', Architects' Journal (184) 37 pp63-68 1987 (with Michael Selway) 'Unix as an Office System', Computer Bulletin, March (3) 1 pp22-23 1987 'Computer Graphics and Parallel Processing', Computer Bulletin, (3) 3 pp29-31 1987 'Commoditie, Firmness and Delight: What Can Software Engineers Learn from Other Designers?' Computer Bulletin (3) 4 pp4-7 1988 'Prototype Modification: Creative Computer Aid', Architech Supplement: Architects' Journal, December pp52-57 1989 (with Anne Bristow) 'Desktop Publishing: The architect as publisher', Architech Supplement: Architects' Journal, June pp18-25 1990 'Personal programs possible', Architects' Journal, 22 & 29 August, pp46-48 1990 'The Architect's Assistant: Spreadsheets', Architects' Journal, 14 November, pp55-57 1993 'Role model for an end to fatigue', Times Higher (Synthesis), November 19 ppiii 1993 (with Davis SB) 'Interactive multimedia', University Computing (15) 3 pp118-122   Departmental working papers : 1982 'KBS and Building', Working Paper, Turner Lansdown Holt and Paterson 1983 'The Impact of SERC-Funding on CAAD and Design Methodology', Working Paper, Group Interface, London 1983 'Computing in the Creative Professions', Working Paper, System Simulation, London 1985 'Some Aspects of Real-Time Animation', Working Paper, Group Interface, London 20pp 1986 'Notes on Prototype Modification as a Design Method', Working Paper, System Simulation, London 1988 'Integrity in Design Databases', Working Paper, System Simulation 7pp 1998 'Tools for Design Knowledge Manipulation', Working Paper, System Simulation 12pp 1990 'Artificial Intelligence or Augmented Intuition: Can AI help graphic designers?' CEA Working Paper, Middlesex University also ACM Conference, Stuttgart 1991 'Multimedia and hypermedia: a new tool for the design practice', Working paper, Key Centre of Design Quality, Sydney, NSW 6pp 1991 'Design and AI: Did we go wrong?', Working paper, Key Centre of Design Quality, Sydney, NSW 1993 'The uses of computer graphics in art and design', Report to AGOCG and CEA Working Paper 10pp 1994 'Why we like order in graphic layouts', Working Paper, Centre for Electronic Arts, Middlesex University 1994 'Aspects of Design in Computer Graphics: Some Notes', Working Paper, Centre for Electronic Arts, Middlesex University 1995 'Some trends in computer graphic art', Working Paper, Centre for Electronic Arts, Middlesex University 1996 (with Huw Jones) 'Computer Graphics Activity in the UK', Working Paper, Centre for Electronic Arts, Middlesex University (published in May 1996 issue of ACM SIGGRAPH Computer Graphics)     Other forms of public output : 30 years as architect and planner responsible for master plans for tourist industry in Morocco and Cyprus, the layout of the Bay area, Asuncion, Paraguay as well as buildings all over the UK and parts of Europe (including the Hampstead Theatre) Since 1968, works of computer music and computer based choreography have received performances in the UK, North America, Europe and Australia. The most recent work: 'A/C/S/H/O', a computer composed dance (18 mins) commissioned by The One Extra Dance Company, Sydney, NSW with funds from the Australian Arts Council was given its first performance in October 1990   Editorships : 1990 Guest editor's introduction to special issue: 'Graphics and Visualisation', The Computer Journal, (33) 5 p385 1992 'Art and design education: The changing situation', Guest editorial, RSA Journal (CXL) 5431 p480 1998 Guest editorial, Leonardo (in press)   Journal articles : 1980 'May I Help You Please?', Building Design, 12 Sep pp10-11 1980 'Hand Drawn By Computer', Building Computer 80 Supplement 5pp 1982 'What are the Japanese up to?', Architects' Journal , (176) 41 pp89-90 1986 'Graphic Images', Interior Design, Feb pp38-43   Short works : 1980 'Not only computing - also art: Faces', Computer Bulletin (II) 23 p16-17 1980 'Not only computing - also art: Digitising', Computer Bulletin (II) 24 p14 1980 'Not only computing - also art: Microcomputers', Computer Bulletin (II) 25 p15,27 1980 'Not only computing - also art: Polyhedra', Computer Bulletin (II) 26 p17 1981 'Creating Figures', Computer Age, Mar pp28-29   1981 'Not only computing - also art: Hypergraphics', Computer Bulletin (II) 27 p14-15 1981 'Not only computing - also art: Impossible triangles', Computer Bulletin (II) 28 p14 1981 'Not only computing - also art: Rubik cubes', Computer Bulletin (II) 29 p14-15 1981 'Not only computing - also art: Texts', Computer Bulletin (II) 30 p11 1982 'Not only computing - also art: Heavy metal', Computer Bulletin (II) 31 p11 1982 'Not only computing - also art: IT year', Computer Bulletin (II) 32 p19 1982 'Not only computing - also art: Operating systems', Computer Bulletin (II) 33 p13 1982 'Not only computing - also art: Word processing', Computer Bulletin (II) 34 pp12-13 1983 'CAD Constructs', Computer Answers, July pp124 1983 'Tools for Architects', Building Computer, 83 Supplement, pp4 1983 'Not only computing - also art: Patents', Computer Bulletin (II), 35 p12 1983 'Not only computing - also art: Graphics', Computer Bulletin (II), 36 p13 1983 'Not only computing - also art: Knuth', Computer Bulletin (II) ,37 p11, 24 1983 'Not only computing - also art: Australia', Computer Bulletin (II), 38 pp12-13 1984 'Not only computing - also art: Design research', Computer Bulletin (II) ,39 pp24-25 1984 'Not only computing - also art: Bugs', Computer Bulletin (II), 40 pp10-11 1984 'Not only computing - also art: Fonts', Computer Bulletin (II), 41 pp10-12 1984 'Not only computing - also art: Uncertainty', Computer Bulletin (II) 42 pp12-13 1985 'Not only computing - also art: Escher', Computer Bulletin (1) 1 pp18-19 1985 'Not only computing - also art: Patterns', Computer Bulletin (1) 2 pp18-19 1985 'Not only computing - also art: Productions', Computer Bulletin (1) 3 pp18-19 1985 'Not only computing - also art: Attractors', Computer Bulletin (1) 4 pp18-19 1986 'Do CAD Sytems Fulfill Designers Needs?' CAD Journal (18) 6 pp299-300 1986 'Graphics and CAD', CAD Journal (18) 7 pp354-355 1986 'Not only computing - also art: Exclusive Or', Computer Bulletin (2) 1 pp18-19 1986 'Not only computing - also art: Memory', Computer Bulletin (2) 2 pp22-23 1986 'Not only computing - also art: Sine waves', Computer Bulletin (2) 3 pp32-33 1986 'Not only computing - also art: Frame-grabbing', Computer Bulletin (2) 4 pp18-19 1987 'Not only computing - also art: Turing', Computer Bulletin (3) 1 pp18-19 1987 'Not only computing - also art: Objects', Computer Bulletin (3) 2 pp18-19 1987 'Not only computing - also art: Landscape', Computer Bulletin (3) 3 pp19 1987 'Not only computing - also art: Owen Jones', Computer Bulletin (3) 4 pp16-17 1988 'Computer Art: A Personal Reminiscence', Exhibition Catalogue Introduction, Cleveland Arts Centre, Tyneside 1988 'Not only computing - also art: Meteorology', Computer Bulletin (4) 1 pp18-19 1988 'Not only computing - also art: CSG', Computer Bulletin (4) 2 pp18-19 1988 'Not only computing - also art: Sant 'Elia', Computer Bulletin (4) 3 pp18-19 1988 'Not only computing - also art: Roundup', Computer Bulletin (4) 1 pp18-19 1989 'Not only computing - also art: William Latham', Computer Bulletin (1) 1 pp16-17 1989 'Not only computing - also art: Painting', Computer Bulletin (1) 2 pp13-14 1989 'Not only computing - also art: Architecture', Computer Bulletin (1) 4 pp16-17 1989 'Not only computing - also art: Trees', Computer Bulletin (1) 6 pp16 1989 'Not only computing - also art: On Growth and Form', Computer Bulletin (1) 8 pp12-14 1989 'Not only computing - also art: Soft objects', Computer Bulletin (1) 10 pp16-17 1990 'The possible worlds of William Latham', Introduction to Catalogue, Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol 1990 'Not only computing - also art: St Martin's', Computer Bulletin (2) 4 pp16-17 1990 'Not only computing - also art: Architecture', Computer Bulletin (2) 5 pp14-15 1990 'Not only computing - also art: Choreography', Computer Bulletin (2) 7 pp12-13 1990 'Not only computing - also art: Chaos theory', Computer Bulletin (2) 9 pp12-13 1991 'Not only computing - also art: Music', Computer Bulletin (3) 1 pp16-17 1991 'Not only computing - also art: Celtic Art', Computer Bulletin (3) 3 pp12-13 1991 'Not only computing - also art: Animation', Computer Bulletin (3) 5 pp20-21 1991 'Not only computing - also art: Stereolithography', Computer Bulletin (3) 7 pp12-13 1992 'Not only computing - also art: Escher Revisited', Computer Bulletin (4) 2 pp22-23 1993 'Design education and information technology, SCAN Magazine, Winter pp4-5 Attachment converted: Disque dur:portrait-screen-RGB.JPG (JPEG/JVWR) (00017BEE)