Autodesk University 2007 - Day One - Autodesk, in 360°

Tuesday morning’s General Session served as part welcome to AU and part view of the future. After a clever intro that featured an online chat style disclaimer stating that Autodesk will be discussing some things in this session that aren’t available today, Lynn Allen, Autodesk Technical Evangelist, took the stage.

Addressing a packed house, welcomed attendees and gave details on upcoming events they wouldn’t want to miss over the next couple of days. In her usual comedic style, Lynn prefaced her reminder about the Thursday evening entertainment event, "Party Like it’s 1982", with a picture of herself from that decade, big hair and all.

Lynn’s remarks warmed up the crowd, then Autodesk President and CEO Carl Bass took the stage. The stage, by the way, was in the center of the massive room. Carl and company were surrounded by the audience. This "in the round" style theme was carried out elsewhere; the room was encircled by large white screens, which later would be used to dazzle attendees. But that in a moment.

In his presentation "Macroeconomic Trends and Design Innovation", Carl discussed the four critical global trends that are making this the most exciting time ever to be a design professional: globalization, the infrastructure and building boom, the rising cost of energy, and the digital life, which, he says, is changing the way we work, play, and communicate. Carl finished on this note: "The challenges are daunting, but the opportunities are enormous".

Carl’s presentation served as a nice introduction to presentations and videos from Autodesk customers who are rising to the challenges and taking full advantage of the opportunities. The founder of an innovative design firm, principles of a new car company, and individuals who are exploring space by designing leading-edge telescopes demonstrated how they are using sustainable design to create incredible products.

Autodesk Chief Technology Officer Jeff Kowalski and staff took over, showing a series of videos about how various Autodesk products can be used together to help design everything from a hand-held video game controller to a mass transit station in Hong Kong.

Written by Marilyn Law