In 2025, the Festival of Animation, hosted by the School of Engineering and Applied Science (GW Engineering), celebrated its 32nd year with an impressive display of creativity, technical skill, and interactive design. The event featured project demos and presentations from students across a variety of cutting-edge courses, including Computer Graphics I & II, Design of Interactive Multimedia, Design of Human-Computer Interface DE, Advanced Topics in AR, and Computer Game Design and Programming.
Dr. Juman Byun, a professor of Computer Science, opened the event with a welcome address that paid tribute to the Festival’s long-standing tradition. Originally founded by Professor James Hahn, the Festival has evolved into a cornerstone showcase for the department, highlighting the talents of students who have gone on to shape creative industries, from animation and film to interactive design. Notably, Festival alumni now hold prominent positions at major studios, with some even contributing to Oscar-winning projects.
This year’s event was marked by a vibrant and engaging atmosphere, drawing students, faculty, and visitors eager to explore the innovations on display. Attendees were invited to test out interactive projects and immerse themselves in augmented reality experiences, cutting-edge game prototypes, software prototypes with interface design, and multimedia designs.
A highlight of the Festival was the Computer Game Application showcase from Dr. Byun’s class, presented in collaboration with Corcoran’s Sound Technology class (CMUS 2163 taught by Professor Heather Stebbins). The original background music and sound effects were written by music students for the games. A group of young judges helped select the prize-winning entry, bringing a fresh and enthusiastic perspective to the judging process.
The Festival maintained a smooth, well-organized flow throughout the evening, and feedback from both participants and visitors emphasized the enjoyable and inspiring environment.
Dr. Hurriyet Ok, who teaches Advanced Topics in AR, shared his enthusiasm for the student work on display, noting,"It was a real pleasure to see the range of creative projects our students brought to life this semester. From playful interactive experiences to more purpose-driven applications, the work was both fun and thought-provoking. I was especially proud of my Advanced Topics in AR students, who developed an AR-guided training system—showing that gamified learning isn't just engaging, but also a powerful tool for education and vocational training."
Ms. Elyse Nicolas, who teaches Design of Interactive Multimedia and Design of Human-Computer Interface DE, echoed similar excitement, sharing, “I always enjoy this collaboration with my colleagues! This semester, my course projects were software prototypes and interface designs, interactive games, and multimedia information interfaces for museum exhibits. I think the festival is a great opportunity for the students to showcase their hard work and see other creative work from their peers. As an alumnus from GW, MS ‘09, when I was a student, I participated with my own game called Tourney. I still remember how proud I was of that game and excited to show my work. It makes me very happy that we are able to continue this tradition for our students!”
Dr. Louai Adhami, who teaches Introduction to Computer Graphics, also reacted positively to the festival, saying,“Seeing the computer graphics students start with a big idea at the beginning of the term, and throughout it adapting and adjusting to build that vision from scratch never fails to impress and delight me. I am glad the students have this great opportunity to share their work and enjoy that of their classmates.”
The Festival of Animation continues to be a vital platform for emerging talent at GW Engineering, bridging the worlds of engineering, design, and art. As it moves into its fourth decade, the event remains a celebration of student innovation—and a glimpse into the future of digital creativity.