My affinity with Computer Graphics can be traced back to my Bachelor's (Computer Science & Engineering) curriculum when I was learning about pretty basic 2D rasterization techniques as part of my class project. I've always been fond of aesthetics and this field absolutely amazed me, it still does. And this keenness was one of the reasons why I decided to get my Master's degree. I explored the Master's programs offered by TAMU and zeroed in on two choices - Master in Visualization (MS-VIZ) and Master in Computer Science (MCS). To be completely honest, I don't seem to recall what the deciding factor had been for me then. What I like think of it now is that maybe I was afraid to move too far out of my domain while also wanting to test the waters of Graphics. So here I am now, graduating with a Master's in Computer Science this Spring!
 
Although I did not enroll in the popular VIZ Master's program (major regret), I have been fortunate to take up courses offered by the department. The department undoubtedly has some of the best faculties in the field. Quoting the News board of the department of Visualization - "In new rankings released by College Magazine, an online career resource for students, Texas A&M was recognized as the nation’s best public animation school, funneling top-notch graduates into the highly competitive film and television industry, and other professions."
 
Over last 3 semesters, I have attended the classes for Computer Graphics, Image Synthesis, Digital Imaging and Volume Modeling and Rendering. These courses taught me a whole lot about Graphics, right from the fundamentals to niche specialties. Now I wasn't exactly "excelling" in all of  those courses, but boy did I learn. I learned that if you look close enough you find that any and all fields bear unfathomable depths and one can spend his lifetime on it and still go through only a fraction of it. There's just so much to it, to anything and everything; so much to witness and learn. It outright fascinates me. Well, I tried and was able to obtain some beautiful results through my coursework projects. Have a look!

Looking back, I wish I had been more involved in the happenings of the department. It hosts a multitude of events like hackathons, art panels, tech talks, meet and greets, gaming nights, etc. The department also hosts a SIGGRAPH panel, an ACM special interest group on Computer Graphics and interactive techniques that attracts engineers, scientists and artists alike. If you are an art enthusiast interested in graphics, designing, animation, rendering or anything of the sort, a tour of the VIZ buildings will surely get you inspired. Go and check it out, you won't be disappointed!
 
Go Vizzers!

---Tushar Turkar
Tushar Turkar is a Masters student in the Department of Computer Science