Bill Kovacs
Encyclopedia
Bill Kovacs was a pioneer of commercial computer animation technology.
in 1971. He worked for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
(New York office) while getting a Masters of Environmental Design from Yale University
(1972). He was then transferred to the Chicago Office, where he worked on a computer-aided design
system.
(1978-1984).
At Abel, Kovacs (along with Roy Hall and others) developed the company's animation software. Kovacs used this software, with others in the film Tron
. He later co-founded Wavefront Technologies
as CTO (1984-1994), leading the development of products such as The Advanced Visualizer
as well as animated productions. Along with Richard Childers and Chris Baker, he was a key organizer of the Infinite Illusions at the Smithsonian Institution exhibit in 1991.
Following retirement from Wavefront, Kovacs co-founded Instant Effects, worked as a consultant to Electronic Arts
and RezN8, serving as RezN8’s CTO from 2000 until his death.
In 1998, Kovacs received a 1997 (Scientific and Engineering) Academy Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
. In 1980, he received two Clio Awards
for his work on animated TV commercials.
, and he served on the President's Board of Advisors at Academy of Art University
from 2002 until his death in 2006 following a stroke.
In 2005, Bill Kovacs, a member of the adjunct faculty in the Department of Animation at Woodbury University
, developed and taught The Future of Media: The Evolution of Digital Technology.
From 2004 until his death in 2006, he served as a special advisor to Heather Kurze, the dean of the School of Architecture and Design at Woodbury University. Beginning in 2005, Kovacs advised Dori Littell-Herrick, the new chair of the Department of Animation at Woodbury on the role of technology in the growing department, both in facilities and in curriculum.
Together with other faculty, he participated in creating interdisciplinary classes involving architecture and animation students, including "Urban Environments in Maya". Kovacs also assisted Littell-Herrick to broaden the pool of adjunct faculty for the department.
Early career
Kovacs received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
in 1971. He worked for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP is an American architectural and engineering firm that was formed in Chicago in 1936 by Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel Owings; in 1939 they were joined by John O. Merrill. They opened their first branch in New York City, New York in 1937. SOM is one of the largest...
(New York office) while getting a Masters of Environmental Design from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
(1972). He was then transferred to the Chicago Office, where he worked on a computer-aided design
Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
system.
Computer animation
In 1978, Kovacs left SOM to become VP of R&D for the early computer animation company Robert Abel and AssociatesRobert Abel and Associates
Robert Abel and Associates was a pioneering production company specializing in TV commercials made with computer graphics. Robert Abel's company, RA&A was especially known for their art direction and won many Clio Awards....
(1978-1984).
At Abel, Kovacs (along with Roy Hall and others) developed the company's animation software. Kovacs used this software, with others in the film Tron
Tron (film)
Tron is a 1982 American science fiction film written and directed by Steven Lisberger, and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It stars Jeff Bridges as the protagonist Kevin Flynn; Bruce Boxleitner in a dual role as security program Tron and Tron's "User", computer programmer Alan Bradley; Cindy...
. He later co-founded Wavefront Technologies
Wavefront Technologies
Wavefront Technologies was a computer graphics company that developed and sold animation software used in Hollywood motion pictures and other industries. It was founded in 1984, in Santa Barbara, California, by Bill Kovacs, Larry Barels, Mark Sylvester...
as CTO (1984-1994), leading the development of products such as The Advanced Visualizer
The Advanced Visualizer
The Advanced Visualizer , a 3D graphics software package, was the flagship product of Wavefront Technologies from the 1980s until the 1990s.-History:...
as well as animated productions. Along with Richard Childers and Chris Baker, he was a key organizer of the Infinite Illusions at the Smithsonian Institution exhibit in 1991.
Following retirement from Wavefront, Kovacs co-founded Instant Effects, worked as a consultant to Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
and RezN8, serving as RezN8’s CTO from 2000 until his death.
In 1998, Kovacs received a 1997 (Scientific and Engineering) Academy Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures...
. In 1980, he received two Clio Awards
Clio Awards
The Clio Awards are annual awards bestowed to reward innovation and creative excellence in advertising, design and communication. The categories include work in nearly all types of media, and the judges are advertising professionals from around the world....
for his work on animated TV commercials.
Educator
Kovacs was a Visiting Artist at Loyola Marymount UniversityLoyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University is a comprehensive co-educational private Roman Catholic university in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions located in Los Angeles, California, United States...
, and he served on the President's Board of Advisors at Academy of Art University
Academy of Art University
The Academy of Art University , a for-profit university owned by the Stephens Institute, was founded in San Francisco, California in 1929 by Richard S. Stephens...
from 2002 until his death in 2006 following a stroke.
In 2005, Bill Kovacs, a member of the adjunct faculty in the Department of Animation at Woodbury University
Woodbury University
Woodbury University, founded as "Woodbury Business College", is a private, non-profit, coeducational, nonsectarian university located in Burbank, California.-History:...
, developed and taught The Future of Media: The Evolution of Digital Technology.
From 2004 until his death in 2006, he served as a special advisor to Heather Kurze, the dean of the School of Architecture and Design at Woodbury University. Beginning in 2005, Kovacs advised Dori Littell-Herrick, the new chair of the Department of Animation at Woodbury on the role of technology in the growing department, both in facilities and in curriculum.
Together with other faculty, he participated in creating interdisciplinary classes involving architecture and animation students, including "Urban Environments in Maya". Kovacs also assisted Littell-Herrick to broaden the pool of adjunct faculty for the department.
External links
- Visiting Artist profile at Loyola Marymount
- Santa Barbara News-Press, "Wavefront founder dies at age 56" June 2, 2006
- Bill’s LinkedInpage