Abstract: The emergence of computer graphics as a powerful medium to communicate 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 geometry. These three areas when combined provide the knowledge base for visual science. The applications for visual science can be grouped into two areas: artistic an*d 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.
Keywords: visual science, spatial cognition, imaging, visualization, graphics education
Classification (MSC2000): 51N05; 68U05
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