Practices
3D art practices and Information technology
When discussing business strategies, a topic that may come into question is what are the best practices to follow within a specified field. In the field of information technology, there are frameworks, guidelines, and standards that information technology professionals follow to best meet their roles associated within business and net the most value for said roles. In the field of 3D digital art, however, this question becomes a lot more nuanced as every artist follows their own workflows that works best for them. Arguably, there are no "best practices" in the field of 3D digital art alone, but where there's the intersection between the field of 3D digital art and information technology, this question quickly allows for a more clear and concise answer.
What are "best practices"
In information technology "best practices" can be defined as methods or techniques that has been generally accepted to work best as opposed to alternatives due to its ability to produce results that are superior to those achieved by other means or because it has become a standard way of doing things. [1] In relation with 3D digital art, there are several "best practices" that information technology professionals have taken in order to best benefit their organization and provide 3D digital artists with support.
IT Strategy and 3D Digital Art
One of the most notable best practices adopted in the field of information technology is the creation of an IT Strategy. IT Strategy can be defined as "an approach to create an information technology capability for maximum, and sustainable value for an organization." [2] In correlation with 3D digital art, it's important for both artists and information technology professionals to have a solid base of knowledge in creating and finding value in the business decisions associated with adopting, managing, and implementing the technology that the artists need to expand on their workflows. Listed below are two example frameworks used in information technology to find value in the investments made in technology.
IT Value Mapping
IT Value Mapping is a framework used to create a strategic plan with a focus on maximizing returns on investments, creating monetary and sustainable value in business. IT Value Mapping visualizes the IT Capability of an organization and demonstrates the impact of each component’s “state” on business value. [3]
IT Investment Management
“IT Investment Management is a management process that provides for the pre-selection (identification), selection, control, and evaluation of business need-driven Information Technology (IT) investments across the investment lifecycle.” [4] ITIM is a framework that provides businesses with structured processes that yields the most return in investment for IT by recognizing how investments can impact business value.
IT Governance and 3D Digital Art
Another notable best practice adopted in the field of information technology is the adoption and implementation of IT Governance. IT Governance can be defined as "a process used to monitor and control key information technology capability decisions - in an attempt - to ensure the delivery of value to key stakeholders in an organization." [5] The objective of IT Governance is not just to ensure the delivery of value, but to also "engender the trust of the key stakeholders in the people who they have entrusted their money and/or livelihood." [5] Ensuring that the value of both information technology and 3D digital art is properly presented to stakeholders is an essential practice to uphold as with any risk or investment made, there has to be a solid return on these investments. Listed below is a notable example of a framework that is commonly associated and utilized in accordance with IT Governance.
Information Technology Infrastructure Library
The Information Technology Infrastructure Library is a library of items that describes the many frameworks that may be considered "best practices." ITIL is an extremely flexible library that has underwent several significant changes and revisions throughout the years as new ideas form within the field of information technology. "ITIL’s systematic approach to IT service management can help businesses manage risk, strengthen customer relations, establish cost-effective practices, and build a stable IT environment that allows for growth, scale and change," [6] making ITIL one of the most reliable libraries available within information technology that correlates with IT Governance.