February 25, 2004

Art and design conference offers
look at schools, Finding Nemo animator

High school and university art and design students can get a glimpse of their academic future, and meet the supervising animator behind Finding Nemo and a leading book illustrator, during "Leap 2004," a free art and design conference for students, educators and the public at California State University, Sacramento from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, March 5, in the University Union Ballroom.

"Leap 2004" provides the opportunity to meet with representatives from several art and design schools and firms along with presentations and student portfolio critiques from leaders in the industry.

Featured this year will be a talk by animator Dylan Brown of Pixar Animation Studios. Brown has been with Pixar since 1995 and worked on several projects for the company including A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, and Monsters, Inc. before heading the animation team for Finding Nemo.

Illustrator and author Yan Nascimbene, whose work has appeared in several French and English books including Into the Air for National Geographic, will also speak. Following their presentations, Brown and Nascimbene will critique portfolios and be available to talk with conference participants.

Participating schools include CSUS, Academy of Art College, Art Center College of Design and Brooks Institute. Adobe and Apple will among the companies at the conference.

For more information, see the "Leap 2004" website at www.csus.edu/design/leap or call (916) 278-5325. Media assistance is available from CSUS public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

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