Computer graphics draw interest

Orange Coast College computer graphics instructor Chris Nielsen practices what he teaches.

The 34-year-old, who’s been involved in computer graphics for 16 years, introduces entry-level students and computer professionals to the rapidly expanding and evolving field of computer graphics. He refers to his creative endeavor as “drawing on your computer.”

This fall, Nielsen will teach OCC’s Digital Media Arts and Design 190 class (“Illustration and Computer Graphics”). His current professional artistic specialty is motorcycle imagery.

“Shortly after I became involved with computer graphics 16 years ago, the technology began to explode,” he says. “My own skills grew and improved with the expanding technology.”

Nielsen frequently shows his professional work to his students, and his creations are beginning to stir national interest.

“I tell my first-semester students that in five to 10 years, they can be doing the same kind of work I’m doing. I also tell them that there are no shortcuts to getting where you want to go. There’s no substitute for hard work.”

Nielsen’s passion for his art form is apparent.

“It generally takes hundreds of hours to complete a single drawing,” he says. “I’m obsessed with working on my art every day. Any day that I don’t draw, I consider to be a wasted day.”

Nielsen says his students feed his desire to be creative.

“I love spending time with students in class, but I get so excited watching them work that I can’t wait for class to be over so that I can go back to my computer. My students constantly inspire me.”

Nielsen’s work has appeared in four major national publications in recent months. He’s also done drawings for a variety of corporations.

Nielsen’s describes his computer graphics images as paintings. They look highly realistic, and, at first glance, are indistinguishable from high-end photographs.

“My current work is based on my fascination with all the intricate machine parts of a motorcycle that make it run, but not from an engineer’s standpoint,” he says. “I look at motorcycles from a purely aesthetic point of view. I don’t know how to ride a motorcycle, but I know how to draw one!”

Nielsen was born in Southern California. His great grandfather was a Danish painter.

“I’ve always loved to draw, as far back as I can remember,” he says. “At 2 years of age, I remember laying on my grandmother’s floor and drawing Flintstone characters off the Fruity Pebbles box.”

Nielsen says many beginning graphic design students entertain the mistaken notion that today’s computer technology allows a person to become an “instant” artist.

“Before you turn on your computer, you must first master illustration skills and photography,” he warns. “Graphic design begins with sketches and photography. I don’t want my students to lose sight of the fact that it all starts with basic skills.”

FALL REGISTRATION BEGINS JULY 17

Registration for OCC’s fall semester classes gets under way July 17.

Fall classes begin Aug. 28.

Applications are being accepted and registration appointments are available, at OCC’s Admissions Office. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To apply online, visit www.orangecoastcollege.edu.

Fall class schedules have been mailed to all residents of the Coast Community College District and are at the Admissions Office. The schedule is posted on OCC’s website.

For registration information, call (714) 432-5072.

UNIVERSITY RECRUITERS TAKE PART IN OCC’S TRANSFER FAIR

Recruiters from more than 20 public and private colleges and universities will be at Orange Coast College Thursday to take part in the school’s annual Summer Transfer Fair.

The representatives will talk with OCC students about transferring to their campuses. High school students and community members are also invited to attend.

OCC is annually one of the nation’s leaders in transferring students to four-year colleges and universities. Last year, Orange Coast College ranked second out of California’s 109 community colleges in the number of students it transferred to the University of California and California State University systems.

Recruiters will be stationed at tables in front of the Transfer Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to answer questions and distribute information about the school.

For more information call (714) 432-5894.

OCC’S STUDENTS COME FROM ACROSS SOUTHLAND

Of the nearly 25,000 students enrolled at Orange Coast College last fall, 16% lived in the city of Costa Mesa, according to OCC’s student residence report, released by the college’s Office of Institutional Research.

Last fall, 3,918 OCC students resided in Costa Mesa, making that city the largest contributor to the college’s enrollment. Huntington Beach was second with 3,322 students.

By contrast, OCC’s sister college in Huntington Beach, Golden West College, draws 24.6% of its students from its host city, but just 2.5% from Costa Mesa. GWC enrolled 3,922 students from Huntington Beach last fall; OCC enrolled 600 fewer.

Eleven percent of OCC’s population, or 2,701 students, came from Santa Ana. A total of 7.9%, or 1,949, hailed from Irvine. Slightly less than 7% (1,694) came from Garden Grove; 5.7% (1,388) from Newport Beach; 5.4% from Fountain Valley (1,333); 4.8% (1,181) from Westminster; 3.5% (849) from Tustin; and 3.3% (812) from Anaheim.