Last month, Professor Sang Nam, Director of George Mason University’s Computer Game Design (CGD) Program who teaches technology-intensive CGD courses, and ten CGD majors at Mason’s US and Korea campuses visited Gwangju to visit Chosun University and attend the 2021 Gwangju Asia Content & Entertainment (ACE) Fair.
Professor Nam was invited to speak at the Gwangju ACE Fair, the largest content marketplace in Korea, for the second time this year. Co-hosted by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Gwangju Metropolitan City, the fair focused on metaverse and content development and was held at the Kimdaejung Convention Center. George Mason’s CGD program also ran a booth at the fair to showcase the program.
As strategic partners, Mason’s CGD Program and Chosun University’s Cartoon & Animation Department discussed specific cooperation plans for content business, such as forming an international network and operating metaverse services.
This was a special trip for students in particular. CGD majors from the Fairfax campus who are currently studying at Mason Korea were able to build camaraderie—in-person—with CGD students at Mason Korea. Not only did they display excellent teamwork while setting up the booth, but they also enjoyed exploring authentic Korean culture in Gwangju with Professor Nam.
“I had a great experience going to the Gwangju ACE Fair,” said Caleb Sloane (junior, Fairfax), adding, “we saw many of our peers’ and professor’s artistic works, and had the pleasure of meeting people in various art-based industries. Meeting these people made me more confident in my decision to attend George Mason in pursuit of a degree in the arts.”
“I learned that there are lots of new tech from different companies, such as metaverse VR, transparent TVs, etc., but in my opinion, metaverse will be the major technology in the next few years,” said Yoon Suk Hur (junior, Mason Korea).
“It was such a meaningful time for all of us,” said Professor Sang Nam, adding, “Students not only saw how the game industry interacts with other industries, but we were also able to showcase high quality work by faculty and students. We demonstrated that game graphics and illustration can be an art form, and that Mason is an innovative place that fosters creativity. We often say, ‘the arts create community.’ I was glad to see the very beginning of the Computer Game Design community planted at Mason Korea, and I have no doubt that this community will continue to grow to represent great things we do at Mason Korea.”
October 13, 2021
