The newly created Graphics, Animation and New Media (GRAND) Network will hold its inaugural annual conference in June in Ottawa, where one of the hot topics will be the use of digital media and gaming technology in fitness and cognitive programs for seniors.

How can we build new technologies that people actually enjoy and use?

SFU West House is a state-of-the art, made-in-Vancouver laneway home that demonstrates how digital media together with green technologies can contribute to and enhance sustainable living. The house is also a great example of what can be accomplished through the type of multi-disciplinary, collaborative projects supported by GRAND’s Human-Centred Technologies for Sustainable Living (HCTSL).

A handheld cube-shaped display promises to offer all the thrills of 3-D without the annoyance of the glasses. The device called pCubee arranges five LCD screens into a box-like shape so viewers can pick it up, watch content or play with virtual objects inside.

Digital media can help communicate sustainability issues and engage people in individual and collective solutions.

GRAND researchers have developed a five-paneled LCD cube that gives users the appearance that something is inside, allowing them to rotate the unit and look at an object in three dimensions.

Dr. Kellogg Booth, GRAND’s scientific director, applauds the federal government for launching online consultations aimed at strengthening Canada’s National Digital Economy.

View the slideshow (with audio) presented by Michael Geist at the GRAND Annual Conference 2010 on June 3rd.

Congratulations to Dr. Robert Woodbury on his new book Elements of Parametric Design.

GRAND community adopts a self-reflective approach, through the NAVEL project, to track, analyze and improve the network's capacity for multi-disciplinary collaboration.

GRAND researcher and theme co-leader Diane Gromala, PhD, has been appointed to the National Faculty of the Michael G. DeGroote National Pain Centre, a world leader in resolving the problem of chronic pain through basic science, clinical care and education. Dr. Gromala is the founding director of the multidisciplinary Transforming Pain Research Group.

Dr. C. Ian Kyer, Chair of the Board, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gerri Sinclair to the GRAND Board of Directors, effective September 1, 2010. Dr. Sinclair is stepping down as GRAND’s Network Manager and former Director of Operations, Adrian Sheppard, will become GRAND’s Network Manager.

Kellogg Booth, Scientific Director, GRAND is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Sheppard to the position of Network Manager, effective September 7. Previously, Mr. Sheppard held the position of Director of Operations.

Call for Chapter Proposals: Chapter proposal submission deadline: October 25, 2010

GRAND Researcher Dr. Catherine Middleton was selected to deliver the first lecture in the prestigious Big Thinking Lecture Series organized in Ottawa by the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Today, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) in Toronto and the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veteran Affairs and Minister of State Agriculture (Quebec) in Saguenay launched an independent expert panel to solicit the advice of Canadians and business leaders on how the federal government can cultivate its support of business research and development.

GRAND's Dustin Freeman was interviewed on CBC's Spark, a radio show about technology and culture about an ongoing, unpublished project called "Scribbling with Typeset".

GRAND researcher and York University professor Jennifer Jenson chats with Nora Young on Girls and Gaming. Check out the full CBC Spark interview.

GRAND board director and Side Effects Software chief technology officer Dr. Paul Salvini has been invited to participate in this year’s APEC Summit held November 11 in Yokohama Japan.

High school students are putting their digital media savvy and skills to the test at an camp offering exposure to the world of game development and interactive storytelling. Game Dev Camp is an intensive, hands-on program designed for teenagers who want to combine their artistic and technical skills in a real-life setting.

GRAND researchers Drs. Eleni Stroulia (University of Alberta), Roy Eagleson (University of Western Ontario) and Bill Kapralos (University of Ontario Institute of Technology) participated in this year's CASCON conference, held November 1-4 in Markham, Ontario.

The 8th Annual iDMAa (International Digital Media Arts Association) conference held Nov 4-6 at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver, Canada was a great success.

Every year, the MAGIC lab at the University of British Columbia opens it’s doors to the public for a hands-on opportunity to test drive the latest technologies, and to speak with the Master’s students, PhDs and post-docs whose prototypes are on display. Demo Day, held November 5, was a huge success.

$500,000 joint research study funded by NeuroDevNet and GRAND.

Dr. Kellogg Booth, Scientific Director, GRAND NCE welcomed the addition of Wavefront Wireless Commercialization Centre (WWCC) to Canada’s digital media landscape. Announced today by the federal government, the new Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) will focus on growing the country’s wireless ecosystem.

GRAND NCE is pleased to announce the appointment of five new members to the Research Management Committee (RMC), bringing the total number on the committee to 14.