The Municipal Education Commission and the Science and Technology Commission list the “Beijing Key Lab of Digital Media & Human Computer Interaction” in Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology as one of Beijing’s key labs in 2010. The lab is a fundamental platform of research and innovation at the institute, rendering significant meanings for the future development of related majors, the cultivation of high-level talents and the enhancement of research ability.
Aimed at designing future life styles and based on the pursuit of the convergence of fashion, IT and digital entertainment industries, this lab expects to bring brand-new life experience and fashion enjoyment for the whole society through innovative embodiment.
The lab has in its development formed six research focuses and targets:
Research on the interactive experience of digitalized life and fashion. Targets: applications of such different areas as: virtual fitting, virtual fashion shows, virtual exhibitions and displays based on somatosensory interaction; systems of product design and customization with collaboration between different areas based on Web3D and cloud computing; integration and prediction systems of fashion trends based on seed banks and the concept of growth; multi-dimensional lifestyle in architectures and environments.
Research on digital animation and CG visual effects. Targets: development and promotion of various technologies such as: digital performance in animation production based on 3D motion data collection and virtual studio system; VJ technology and audio-visual digital performance production technology; interactive image development based on holographic technique.
Research on user experience and usability of interactive media. Targets: research on interactive experience of new-generation mobile terminals; research on interactive experience of new-generation digital publications; learning-based game designs for different platforms including Android, iOS, Windows Phone, etc.; research on knowledge distribution systems based on Podcasting system; intuitive family interaction design and other research and development.
Applied research on virtual reality and augmented reality. Targets: research and development of wearable computing technology and applied research; digital protection and exhibition of traditional cultural heritage; new-generation digital museums and digital studios.
Theoretical research on digital and interactive media. Targets: discussion of human-centered interaction design theories from the perspectives of psychology, art, anthropology, ethnography, phenomenology, ethics, etc.
Development of platforms for the sharing of global digital media resources. Targets: planning and holding Beijing Summer Digital Entertainment Festival for design resource sharing between China and the outside; building platforms for the sharing of international digital education resources; publishing Annual of Global Digital Entertainment Education Resources.
To these ends, we have formed a development path of “inward integration with outward connection”:
Inward Integration: integrating resources within the institute and setting up a stable research team with both art and engineering professionals.
The lab is a research instituted formed based on two majors: digital media and animation. Design and innovation is our strength, while technology development is our shortcoming. There are over twenty teachers in the field of computing in the center of computing and IE department of our institute. Due to lack of support from undergraduate computing majors, the professional positions of teachers are poorly managed. This lab has managed to initially integrate art and engineering teachers through open courses; the lab is expected to step up team-building and take greater projects in the future.
Outward connections: establishing a multi-level platform for outward cooperation and communication.
We will continue to deepen the existing cooperation with companies including Apple, Adobe, Microsoft Research Asia, Nokia and China Mobile, and seek participation in new technologies and projects; more communication and cooperation will be sought with key labs in digital media of the same batch with us, especially cooperation in technology and product concept design with labs in universities of science and technology which have complementary personnel structure with us; we will step up cooperation with Beijing New Media Joint Lab and strengthen our status in collaborative innovation projects.
Guarantee measures: we are building a podcasting streaming media briefing center and a VJ lab; and improving the data rendering center, motion capture lab and 3D scanning lab. These conditions can ensure the implementation of new projects.
The lab boasts of advanced lab facilities and an excellent team for teaching and research innovation. Through years of construction and development, it has become one of the most powerful and influential bases for teaching and research. The lab facilitates teaching and research on the basis of one nationally listed special major: art design, three key development disciplines listed by the Beijing Municipality: art, design art and fine art, and two special majors in development listed by the Beijing Municipality: art design and industrial design. The lab is also supported by Beijing municipal platform for digital science and technology innovation. Through relentless efforts, the team has made outstanding academic and research achievements. Currently the lab is conducting one project under the National Science and Technology Support Program and two provincial level projects.
