© Robert John Lansdown

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)