Scott Shinkle's senior project at the University of Cincinnati emerges from a cloud of smoke and towers over onlookers. The 12-foot-tall battle robot and its machine gun provides a peak at the future from the land of make-believe.
The creature looms over hundreds of projects by UC design students this week at the DAAPWorks exhibit. The show marks students' final academic projects before graduating and setting out on their future careers, said Kathy Startsman, director of special projects in student affairs.
The school's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning is filled with building models, roller coaster designs and clothing fashions. Then there's Mr. Shinkle's project: a camouflage-painted prop for a sci-fi movie called Tribes. Set in the year 2057, the movie would feature two-legged battle robots that are run by people using virtual reality to guard a city.
When his instructor critiques the project today, the prop's gun will spin, lights will flash and smoke will fill the set.
Mr. Shinkle has spent two months working on the project, working 15 hours a day designing, engineering and building the prop. Mr. Shinkle estimates he has spent $1,500 on the project.
"There's a lot of work put into this. But to do it right, I had to devote everything to this project," Mr. Shinkle said. That even includes a little blood. Hidden in the set is a hospital wristband, from Mr. Shinkle's accident with a knife while building the set. He has always been a fan of the movies.
The DAAP show lets students showcase projects for professors and prospective employers, Ms. Startsman said. The university also invites parents and high school students to showcase its programs. Graduating graphic design students worked on projects in preparing for the year 2012, if Cincinnati is chosen as an Olympic host. Carrie Brunk of Fairfield created guides and programs so the Cincinnati Opera could tap into the crowds. Tom Sopkovich of Canfield, Ohio, developed brochures and information centers for transportation hubs touting attractions in Cincinnati and neighboring cities for visitors.
The show is the culmination of the students' academic studies in the classroom and internship programs. It is also a test for their future careers, Ms. Startsman said.
Both Mr. Sopkovich and Ms. Brunk are heading to New York City for graphic design jobs. Mr. Shinkle is heading home to Costa Mesa, Calif., to a job building movie sets. An internship has already landed him work on the movies Godzilla and Alien: Resurrection. "Next time, look for my name in the credits," Mr. Shinkle said. The DAAPWorks show will run 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
He has lined up a job after graduation, building movie sets in California.
