Brenda Laurel
Encyclopedia
Brenda Laurel is a pioneering writer, researcher, designer and entrepreneur in the fields of human-computer interaction, interactive narrative and cultural aspects of technology (see also Game Studies).
Laurel received an MFA
in 1975, and later a Ph.D.
in 1986, in theater from Ohio State University
. Her doctoral dissertation proposed an architecture for computer-based interactive fictions. This idea formed the basis for her 1991 book Computers as Theatre, a seminal work in the field of human-computer interaction. She was also a magna cum laude of DePauw University upon receiving her BA in Speech and Theatre in 1972.
In the 1980s, Laurel worked as a designer and researcher at CyberVision, Atari
and Activision
. In 1990, with Scott Fisher
, she founded Telepresence Research, a research and development company specializing in virtual reality
and remote presence.
In 1992 Laurel began a four year gender and technology project with Interval Research Corporation
. This led to the 1996 spin-off company Purple Moon
, dedicated to producing software and other media targeted at pre-teen girls. Purple Moon was acquired by Mattel
in 1999. Laurel wrote a book about that experience entitled Utopian Entrepreneur.
Between 1999 and 2006, Laurel was chair of the Media Design Program at the Art Center College of Design
, and from 2005 to 2006, a distinguished engineer at Sun Microsystems
. Laurel was appointed chair of the MFA Program in Design at California College of the Arts
(CCA) in September 2006. She has two daughters (eldest is artist Hilary Hulteen, whose godfather is a longtime friend, the late counterculture icon Timothy Leary
) and a stepdaughter. She lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains
with her husband Rob Tow.
In addition to public speaking and consulting, she is a member of the boards of advisors of several companies and organizations, including Cheskin, the Communication Research Institute (Australia), and the Comparative Media Studies program at MIT.
She is active in the digital storytelling movement, the game design community (IGDA), AIGA, and the ACM. http://www.cca.edu/academics/faculty/blaurel
Laurel received an MFA
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
in 1975, and later a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in 1986, in theater from Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
. Her doctoral dissertation proposed an architecture for computer-based interactive fictions. This idea formed the basis for her 1991 book Computers as Theatre, a seminal work in the field of human-computer interaction. She was also a magna cum laude of DePauw University upon receiving her BA in Speech and Theatre in 1972.
In the 1980s, Laurel worked as a designer and researcher at CyberVision, Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
and Activision
Activision
Activision is an American publisher, majority owned by French conglomerate Vivendi SA. Its current CEO is Robert Kotick. It was founded on October 1, 1979 and was the world's first independent developer and distributor of video games for gaming consoles...
. In 1990, with Scott Fisher
Scott Fisher
Scott Fisher may refer to:*Scott Fisher *Scott Fisher See also*Scott Fischer, American climber*Scott Fischer, Author...
, she founded Telepresence Research, a research and development company specializing in virtual reality
Virtual reality
Virtual reality , also known as virtuality, is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world, as well as in imaginary worlds...
and remote presence.
In 1992 Laurel began a four year gender and technology project with Interval Research Corporation
Interval Research Corporation
- External links :* Wired Magazine, December 1999...
. This led to the 1996 spin-off company Purple Moon
Purple Moon
Purple Moon was an American software company based in Mountain View, California, targeted at young girls between the ages of 8 and 14. The company was founded by Brenda Laurel and others, and supported by Interval Research. They debuted their first two games, Rockett's New School and Secret Paths...
, dedicated to producing software and other media targeted at pre-teen girls. Purple Moon was acquired by Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
in 1999. Laurel wrote a book about that experience entitled Utopian Entrepreneur.
Between 1999 and 2006, Laurel was chair of the Media Design Program at the Art Center College of Design
Art Center College of Design
Art Center College of Design is a private college located in Pasadena, California, and was cited by BusinessWeek as one of the 60 best design schools in the world. The college’s industrial design program is consistently ranked number one by both DesignIntelligence and U.S...
, and from 2005 to 2006, a distinguished engineer at Sun Microsystems
Sun Microsystems
Sun Microsystems, Inc. was a company that sold :computers, computer components, :computer software, and :information technology services. Sun was founded on February 24, 1982...
. Laurel was appointed chair of the MFA Program in Design at California College of the Arts
California College of the Arts
California College of the Arts , founded in 1907, is known for its broad, interdisciplinary programs in art, design, architecture, and writing. It has two campuses, one in Oakland and one in San Francisco, California, USA...
(CCA) in September 2006. She has two daughters (eldest is artist Hilary Hulteen, whose godfather is a longtime friend, the late counterculture icon Timothy Leary
Timothy Leary
Timothy Francis Leary was an American psychologist and writer, known for his advocacy of psychedelic drugs. During a time when drugs like LSD and psilocybin were legal, Leary conducted experiments at Harvard University under the Harvard Psilocybin Project, resulting in the Concord Prison...
) and a stepdaughter. She lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Santa Cruz Mountains
The Santa Cruz Mountains, part of the Pacific Coast Ranges, are a mountain range in central California, United States. They form a ridge along the San Francisco Peninsula, south of San Francisco, separating the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco Bay and the Santa Clara Valley, and continuing south,...
with her husband Rob Tow.
In addition to public speaking and consulting, she is a member of the boards of advisors of several companies and organizations, including Cheskin, the Communication Research Institute (Australia), and the Comparative Media Studies program at MIT.
She is active in the digital storytelling movement, the game design community (IGDA), AIGA, and the ACM. http://www.cca.edu/academics/faculty/blaurel
Books
- Design Research: Methods and Perspectives, MIT Press, (2004) ISBN 0-262-12263-4
- Utopian Entrepreneur, MIT Press (2001) ISBN 0-262-62153-3
- Computers as Theatre, Addison-Wesley (1991) ISBN 0-201-55060-1
- The Art of Human-Computer Interface Design, Addison-Wesley (1990) ISBN 0-201-51797-3
Awards
- Muriel Cooper Award nominee, 2008
- Equity Award, American Association for Higher Education, 2004
- Chrysler Award Nominee, 2002
- National Design Award in Product Design Nominee, Cooper-Hewitt Museum, 2002
- Big Brothers / Big Sisters Achievement Award, 2001
- Girls Scouts of Santa Clara, CA, World of Today and Tomorrow Award, 1999
- Girls Inc. Award for Leading Women in Animation, 1998
- Top 25 Women on the Web, Webgrrls, 1998
- 25 Most Influential Working Women, Working Woman, 1997
- First Technology Fellow, University of California at Monterey Bay, 1997
Additional References
External links
- Brenda Laurel's home page
- TED Talks: Brenda Laurel on making games for girls at TEDTED (conference)TED is a global set of conferences owned by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation, formed to disseminate "ideas worth spreading"....
in 1998 - Brenda Laurel, The Technodiva Speaks