Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), considered one of the best Polytechnic institutions in Singapore, has been exploring the development of digital media education for over 10 years. Having equipped their computer laboratories with Wacom pen tablets, they are expanding the creative abilities of their students.

Sophisticated technology in the last few years has allowed artists to work on computers, to work digitally, in a way that embodies the same quality of artistic development as traditional methods of drawing and painting using pen and brush on paper.

The Digital Media Design Center (DMDC) at NYP began installing pen tablets for their design labs four years ago in 2002. Until a few years ago, common computer processing speeds were simply not fast enough for the creation of digital media according to Yang Tien, deputy director of DMDC and a pen tablet user since 1996. But he adds, "Still, when I remember the first time I started using a pen tablet, it felt just like a paintbrush. The distance between the artist and the digital image suddenly became closer. It was very intuitive. The artist is able to orientate his brush (tablet pen), tilt, scrub, dab, vary tip pressure to affect brush properties very naturally. The moment I first scribbled with the Wacom pen, I knew that its technological sophistication was ahead of its time. The processor speed just needed to catch up with it, and with ever faster computers on the market, that issue was solved in time."

In Nov. 2004, Tien took charge of the Diploma in Digital Media Design program. The processor speed and the full package of hardware and software were finally ready to tap the full potential of Wacom tablets, now at even higher levels of sophistication. The school began installing Wacom tablets into their studios as standard equipment and now have almost 200 tablets available in their digital media studios, lecture halls, electronic theatre and even conference rooms.

The Standard in Digital Media Production

Since the first pen tablet became available on the market, Tien has been an avid user and describes the pen tablet as "a standard among the faculty, indispensable." He told us about one colleague who for years was famous for her ability to draw with a mouse. "She was able to draw pretty good circles and all sorts of things using a mouse. When I asked her why she didn't use a pen tablet, she replied, 'I can do whatever I want with a mouse, why should I?' It took ages to get her to switch but now ask her whether she could go back to using a mouse, and she will answer 'No! No way back!' Her resistance was a habitual one rather than a logical one."

In terms of efficiency, production using digital media has far outstripped traditional methods. "A lot of artists working in the world of art production have really shifted away from traditional media, because in traditional media, when you or your client decides to change your concept, sometimes you need to repaint the whole thing. It is not time efficient," Tien explains. "But digitally, we can do that, with speed." He says pen tablets have given him the ability to edit and re-edit efficiently, making refinements without having to start from the beginning. "We can make partial amendments very quickly and even make multiple versions for discussions and comparisons. It’s great to have so many possibilities."

Another great thing about digital media, is that images can be extended into the temporal dimension producing animation. "That makes a lot of difference, in a sense that it is like acquiring another language into which artists can extend ideas and explore," says Tien.

Pen tablets in digital media education

As a standard tool in digital media education, the incorporation of pen tablets into the curriculum was very smooth. "Since it did not have to be taught, it was easy," mentions Tien. Many students familiarized themselves with it in minutes.

Pen tablets have become an intuitive art tool like pen and paper with little or no instruction necessary prior to use. Anybody can just use it as is. However, like traditional art, classes teach students to become experts using advanced customization techniques specific to each software.

The tasks of digital media education

There can be no objection to his comments: "The focus of education in art and design is independent of the medium. But the different natures of various media must be respected, 'understood', and worked with. Art with a capital 'A' is not about what medium you use. In Singapore, even though the government is putting a great deal of effort into promoting creative economy and digital media, the mainstream art world has not yet accepted digital media as 'Art'. Their values for 'Art' remain fixed on oil paint or mix-medium and such. Many galleries refuse to feature digital media works. It is not oil they say. Oil fetches high price. However, I think it is once again just a matter of time before things start to change."

While there are concerns about digital media, there seems to be more room for improvement in digital media education. Tien goes on, "The nature of digital media is still not well understood by many people. They still think it is a tool trying to emulate traditional tools, not taken by itself, not having its own form, its own characteristics. In digital media education we need to bridge that gap, because we are dealing with teachers and lecturers whose reference point is still traditional media. Once they use the pen tablet and digital media, and feel it gel inside them, that's when it begins. Slowly but surely, it is happening. Again, give it time." He smiles.