PASADENA, Calif., April 23, 1997 — Microsoft Corp. and Compaq Computer Corp. today announced significant gifts and pledges to Art Center College of Design to establish a computer and design lab based on the Microsoft® Windows NT® Workstation operating system and compatible hardware.
A Windows NT-based lab will be established as part of the General Motors Computer Graphics Laboratories, at the world-renowned Art Center in Pasadena, Calif., augmenting what is already one of the best technology facilities for design education. The two companies are contributing software, hardware and technical support. These gifts complement contributions from leading independent companies that produce design tools for Windows NT-based systems, including Adobe Systems Inc., Kinetix (a division of Autodesk Inc.), Macromedia Inc., Netobjects Inc., Softimage Inc. and many other companies currently associated with Art Center.
“This investment in the future of professional design education by Microsoft and Compaq will enable us to offer a complementary suite of tools to educate and train future generations of designers,” said Andrew Davidson, chair of the digital media department at Art Center College of Design. “Adding a third platform expands the creative opportunities as well as the practical experience that Art Center students will need as they move into the professional world.”
“This investment represents just the beginning of our involvement with major design institutions and the creative community at large,” said Tod Nielsen, general manager of developer relations at Microsoft. “We look forward to working closely with Art Center students and faculty, and to providing the platforms, technologies and tools to help them achieve their maximum creative potential.”
“Compaq’s contribution to Art Center is an investment in the future of digital content design,” said Les Crudele, vice president of the workstation product division at Compaq. “By honing their talents on the Windows NT-based Compaq Professional Workstation, these best-of-breed designers and creators can translate the skills they’ve learned with their favorite applications on other platforms directly to the Windows NT platform.”
Product Contributions Provide a Hands-On Experience for Students
Compaq’s contribution to Art Center consists of a dozen Compaq Professional Workstations. These powerful workstations include a 200 MHz Pentium Pro processor; an ELSA GLoria-L graphics controller comprising a 3-D graphics accelerator, 8 MB of frame buffer memory (VRAM) and 8 MB of Z-buffer memory (DRAM); 64 MB of standard memory; a three-button mouse; and a 4.3 GB hard drive. The workstations include Compaq’s SmartStart installation and configuration CD software, as well as Compaq’s comprehensive management tools for fault, configuration, performance, asset and remote management. Compaq is also contributing six QVision 210 21-inch (19.5-inch viewable) monitors.
The prestigious Art Center College of Design is an international center for art and design education, established in 1930. The independent, nonprofit, four-year college has an enrollment of 1,200 students from 43 countries. Undergraduates and graduates are taught by an accomplished faculty of more than 300 practicing professionals in their areas of expertise. The college offers bachelor’s degrees in nine majors: advertising, environmental design, film, fine art, graphic design, illustration, photography, product design and transportation design. Graduate programs in communications and new media, film, fine art and industrial design lead to a master of fine arts, master of science or master of arts degree. Alumni head leading-edge design studios and corporate design offices worldwide, creating the products that entertain, transport and enhance everyday lives.
Compaq Computer Corp., a Fortune 100 company, is the fifth-largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of personal computers, delivering useful innovation through products that connect people with people and people with information. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices. Compaq is strategically organized to meet the current and future needs of its customers, offering Internet and enterprise computing solutions, networking products, commercial PC products and consumer PCs. As the leader in distributed enterprise solutions, Compaq has shipped over a million servers. In 1996, the company reported worldwide sales of $18.1 billion. Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
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