R. Brent Adams: Mormon Computer Animator
R. Brent Adams was simultaneously a professor of computer graphics and director of the Center for Animation at Brigham Young University and an architect. He was also the David Evans Chair in computer graphics at BYU. He retired in September 2020.
For several years he taught computer graphics in the design department, the visual arts department, and the school of technology. He then helped create the animation major at BYU that has produced some of the industry’s finest computer animators and has garnered awards for BYU animation, such as the 2014 Gold Medal winner in animation at the Student Academy Awards. Pixar Animation Studios animators officially mentor BYU students and the relationship between Pixar and BYU animation students has helped the program become one of the top in the nation.[1] A hallmark of their program is team projects that give students the culture of a studio environment.
Working in architecture, Adams has been on the design teams of the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird ski resort in Utah, the Marriott Center for Dance at the University of Utah, and the Joseph Smith Memorial Building at BYU.
Adams earned his BFA in environmental design and his MFA in fine art from the University of Utah. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
