Gary Jacobs
Associate Professor
School of Design
College of Art and Design
Undergraduate Program Director, 3D Digital Design
585-475-6987
Office Mailing Address
1 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623
Gary Jacobs
Associate Professor
School of Design
College of Art and Design
Undergraduate Program Director, 3D Digital Design
Education
BFA, University of Northern Colorado; MFA, Pennsylvania State University
Bio
Gary D. Jacobs has over twenty years of digital design and illustration experience.
His clients and projects include theme park attractions, public architectural spaces and environmental graphics. He enjoys working with clients to create evocative visual solutions that engage and involve the viewer in interactive experiences.
585-475-6987
Areas of Expertise
3D Modeling and Motion
Creative Entrepreneurship
Unreal Engine
Blender
Maxon Cinema 4D
Autodesk Revit
Trimble SketchUp
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Substance Painter
Quixel Mixer
Select Scholarship
Shows/Exhibits/Installations
Jacobs, Gary D. Airport Canopy. 2 Nov. 2018. Rochester International Airport, Rochester. Installation.
Currently Teaching
DDDD-201
Modeling Strategies
3 Credits
This course explores advanced 3D modeling techniques and workflows, emphasizing hard-surface modeling, digital sculpting, retopology, baking, motion-oriented modeling, and procedural techniques. Students will build a portfolio of complex models, learn industry-standard tools, and develop strategies to overcome diverse modeling challenges.
DDDD-207
Materials and Surfaces
3 Credits
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to creating digital materials for 3D models, covering topics from basic shading and placement to advanced procedural workflows. Students will master various techniques, including UV manipulation, vertex painting, and material applications for both realistic and stylized designs, with integration into game engines.
DDDD-498
3D Digital Design Internship
1 - 6 Credits
This course exposes students to the professional environment through outside job opportunities in at places of employment that utilize three-dimensional software for various applications and other acceptable organizations. Students will work under the guidance of Art Directors, Technical Directors, or other professionals in the field and perform creative work that is educational and meaningful for their short-term academic goals as well as their long-range career preparation. Documentation of the experience is required and final review from employer is required documenting the kind and quality of work performed. Students must obtain pre-approval of their department and complete the Internship Approval Form. Credit earned is used toward elective or major elective credits.
DDDD-522
Environment Design
3 Credits
This course covers modeling techniques useful in developing environments, both interior and exterior. The content of the course covers proportions appropriate to a variety of environments, lighting for spaces, surface design to replicate real world materials, and building to an appropriate level of detail for the circumstance.
DDDD-599
3D Digital Design Independent Study
1 - 6 Credits
3D Digital Design Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty advisor will propose a course of study. 3D Digital Design independent study students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll.
VCDE-622
3D Environment Design
3 Credits
This course covers advanced modeling techniques useful in developing environments, both interior and exterior. The content of the course covers proportions appropriate to a variety of environments, lighting for spaces, surface design to replicate real world materials, and building to an appropriate level of detail for the circumstance.
VCDE-799
Visual Communication Design Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
Visual Communication Design Independent Study will allow students to obtain instruction in specialized areas of interest to enhance their individual course of study. Working with a faculty adviser, students will propose a focused curriculum related to their academic and/or future career interests. Visual Communication Design Independent Study students must obtain permission of an instructor to enroll.**NOTE: Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA **