Full Sail University

Press Room

Jan 25, 2022
Xencelabs and Full Sail University Team to Enhance the Higher Education Learning Experience

New Pen Tablets Give Computer Animation and Gaming Students Valuable Hands-on Access to the Drawing and Design Tools Used in Professional Environments

a young student using a new xencelabs tablet

Xencelabs Technologies and Full Sail University are joining forces to give computer animation and gaming students an education in the digital technologies used in today’s professional creative environments.

The university is using Xencelabs’ Pen Tablet Medium as a teaching and design tool in its on-campus and online Computer Animation Bachelor of Science Degree and Game Art Bachelor of Science Degree programs. Having access to these professional-grade products enables the students and faculty to engage in a more dynamic educational experience — and also gives students a preview of the technologies they’ll start using when they begin their professional careers.

Full Sail offers degrees in almost every aspect of entertainment, media, arts, and emerging technologies, with an approach centered on real-world industry experience and creative problem solving. The school was recently ranked #1 on the “Top 10 Animation Bachelor of Science Programs in the U.S.” by Animation Career Review in 2021.

The Xencelabs tablets are integrated into the overall mix of technology available to Full Sail students early in their degree programs. Students are using them to develop 3D models in the 3D Foundations course, create sketches in the Fundamentals of Art courses and to paint materials and for digital sculpting as they grow their skills.

“We encourage our students to explore and push their creativity to the next level,” said Pete Bandstra, Program Director, Computer Animation, Full Sail University. “Tablet technology allows students to establish a more hands-on connection to their artwork. By providing our students with industry-standard technology during their time with us, they can harness the tools they will be using and encountering in the industry and throughout their professional careers.”

The tablets are also included in Full Sail’s Project LaunchBox,™ a kit all Full Sail students receive with a laptop computer loaded with powerful software and other hardware components, all customized to their degree program and included in their tuition.

“Within our curriculum the Xencelabs Tablet is more than just a tool for sketching,” said Bandstra. “It can be used with a variety of software packages from 3D modeling, texturing, compositing and other areas of the production process.”

For Full Sail, the new tablets are not only a valuable teaching tool for helping students prepare for their careers, but also part of establishing the university’s unique competitive advantage.

“We consistently stay on top of industry technology and we make adjustments for the current trends occurring across all industries,” said Bandstra. “Potential students are aware of the technology used in the industry and look for schools that will let them learn on the same technology. By providing our students with the technology they will experience in professional production environments, this gives them the advantage and preparation for the careers that lie ahead. The skills learned in the classroom directly translate to the expectations and technology they will encounter in the future.”

About Full Sail University:

Full Sail University is an award-winning educational leader for those pursuing careers in entertainment media and emerging technologies. Founded in 1979, Full Sail has received accolades throughout its over 40-year history, including most recently being featured on the 2021 “Top 50 Film Schools and Instructors From Around the World” list by Variety Magazine, named a 2021 “Top Graduate & Undergraduate Schools to Study Game Design” by The Princeton Review, recognized as a 2021 “Top Music School” by InTune Monthly, and recognized as the 2019 “School/College of the Year” by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges.

Full Sail University is a graduate and undergraduate degree-granting institution offering on-campus and online degree programs in areas related to Art & Design, Business, Film & Television, Games, Media & Communications, Music & Recording, Sports, and Technology. With over 80,230+ graduates worldwide, Full Sail alumni have worked on countless award-winning projects with individual recognition including OSCAR®, Emmy®, GRAMMY®, ADDY®, MTV Video Music Award, and Video Game Award honors.

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For media inquiries, contact Casey Tanous at 407.679.0100 or email [email protected].

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