Tim Dunigan:  Producing Computer Images
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 Tim Dunigan made Digital Self Portrait during his senior year at Lahser High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He enjoys working with computers so much that he's now a freshman at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, majoring in computer art. He dreams of having his own company and using computers to develop ideas for other people. Or he'd like to work on an animation team. "I love creating a character and making it come to life'" Dunigan says. "With computers, you can build new images as well as manipulate existing ones. They can do so much."
How did you first get involved with art?
I've been making art ever since I was a little kid. Then when I got to middle school, I took every art class I could get my hands on. My older brother also taught me a lot.
How did you create this award winning piece - Digital Self Portrait?
I did it for an independent study art class. I wanted the self portrait to show how music and my interest in digital media feeds into my art. The turntable, keyboard, drum machine, headphones and a list of songs illustrate my interest in music. I wanted the visual layers to and react to each other, just like different musical instruments play off of one another. The portrait is a record of all the different computer techniques and styles I have worked with. I wanted to combine a variety of elements that might not normally work together.
How did you get your ideas?
I'm interested in contrasting natural and mechanical. For instance, my right arm is robotic while my left one isn't. The right side of my face is digital, the left is real. I wanted the portrait to suggest the creative process, going from reality on the right side to imagination on the left. As you reach the left side , I've almost become a digital element myself.
What digital effects did you use and why?
I used a combination of Adobe Photoshop tools to dodge and burn in spots, add shadow and depth, and give blur and layer effects. I used most of the tools in the tool bar.
How did you go about creating this piece?
First, I drew sketches of the elements I wanted to use to represent who I am. There are at least 23 different elements that had to be built in separate Adobe Photoshop computer files. The turntable, top right, was built using the line tool and geometric selections. For the palm on the right, I scanned in my hand, then used the pen tool to trace it's contours. I wanted my right hand, which I use to draw, to be the focus of the picture. So I created a mechanical circuitry effect. I didn't use a photo, but went into the computer and created it with Photoshop tools. I wanted my drawing arm to look robotic, but also real and believable. It was the most challenging part of the piece, using computer tools to create the human anatomy.
When you finished building your pieces, what was next?
I put them together in one file and arranged them, experimenting with different variations and locations. When I had an arrangement that worked, I went through and eliminated the seams, so it looked like one image. I adjusted the color, more towards the reds and yellows since I liked the way they contrasted with the green grid in the background.
Were you satisfied when you were done?
Yes and no. I was happy with the overall effect. I would have liked more detail in the robotic arm - more wires and cables so it looked more believable. since I've been in college, I've learned more ways to manipulate the image that I didn't know about when I did this piece.
What's the biggest challenge creating computer art?
I think it's learning how to use the software so you can achieve the effect you're looking for. Having a concept and being able to control the computer to create exactly what you want is difficult. Let's say you want to change the hue of one part of an image. It's very hard to be able to do that and not lose the overall image quality.

What's the greatest reward? Being able to make your idea look real. with computer art. it's frustrating to have an idea in your head and not be able to render it. But when you're able to  manipulate the image exactly the way you originally envisioned it, that's the most exciting and rewarding part of computer art. What advice do you have for aspiring artists like yourself? Do what you love. Find whatever drives you to create, and go with it. Also, don't let the work of others intimidate and discourage you from your own work. Don't give up. Many times I wanted to give up. The creative process may not be easy at times, but it's certainly worth it! Your Project - Digital Self Portarit