Journal for Geometry and Graphics Volume 2 (1998), No. 2, 181–187 Visual Science: An Emerging Discipline 1 Gary R. Bertoline Department of Technical Graphics, Purdue University 1419 Knoy Hall, Rm. 363, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1419, USA email: gbertol@tech.purdue.edu Abstract. The emergence of computer graphics as a powerful medium to com- municate information is one of the primary reasons graphics is playing a larger role in engineering, science, and technology. Such a powerful medium has emerged from many sources. The author suggests that there is a philosophical foundation and a unique body of knowledge necessary for a discipline called visual science. This emerging discipline has as its foundation spatial cognition, imaging, and ge- ometry. These three areas when combined provide the knowledge base for visual science. The applications for visual science can be grouped into two areas: artistic and technical. It is only through the development of this emerging discipline that all graphics related activities will be viewed within the context of a common discipline: visual science. All those professionals and practitioners in the many graphics related fields can, for the first time, share their common interests. It is hoped that an international effort can be started to further define and validate the emerging discipline of visual science. 1. Introduction There has been a renaissance in graphics brought on by the emergence of computers and computer graphics. This renaissance is directly related to some of the ideas proposed by Nicholas Negroponte in his book “Being Digital” [10]. Negroponte believes that the world has fundamentally changed with the introduction of the computer. More importantly computers now give everyone access to very powerful tools that can be used to create, edit, and present information visually. For the first time it is easier to create graphics or convert text-based information into graphics which is a powerful medium for communications. Communicating visually is becom- ing the norm rather than the exception in technological societies. 1 lecture presented at the Plenary Session of the Eighth International Conference on Engineering Design Graphics and Descriptive Geometry, July 31 to August 3, 1998 — Austin, Texas, USA ISSN 1433-8157/$ 2.50 c  1998 Heldermann Verlag