New Two-Year Degree in 3D Design Technology on its Way to Danville Area Community College

Danville Area Community College Professor of Mechatronics Doug Hunter says their plans for a new two-year degree in 3D Design Technology is the kind of program that can bring the more artistic students together with the engineering-type students.  As Hunter explains, DACC has been teaching portions of 3D Design Technology; and some 3D CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) students were asking, ‘can we take this one step further?’

AUDIO: I’ve been teaching the 3D CAD for several years now.  Yes, I’ve had students come and say; “Hey, can I do a degree in this?”  They may not have specifically said “3D design technology,” but they wanted to do more CAD.  I come from a Purdue program that adds illustration to the drafting.  So this is my idea of taking our students to the next level.

Hunter says students will then have a definite idea on if they want to pursue a further degree.  He says there are many examples of where these skills are put to work.

AUDIO: We live in a 3D world.  Any kind of 3D animation, 3D graphics, web design.  All of our industrial partners have some form of 3D design; whether it’s Auto CAD or Inventor.  3D printing comes to mind.  All of our partners are doing rapid prototyping, and that’s all generated from some kind of 3D graphic.  

The new degree was approved by the DACC Board of Trustees at their April 24th meeting.  It now awaits approval by the Illinois Community College Board.