COMPUTER-BASED ART PRODUCTION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-05054A000100010030-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 15, 2002
• Sequence Number: 30
• Publication Date: May 28, 1975
• Content Type: MEMO

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8MAY 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Logistics
SUBJECT . Computer-Based Art Production
1. The present production of artwork is manual and is labor
intensive. The GE Company is marketing a computer-based system
designed to automate the production of artwork. This automation
offers a significant reduction in the time required for artwork over
existing and traditional methods. The GE system (Genigraphics) is
the only known system on the market and has direct applicability
to the Graphics & Visual Aids Staff (G&VAS) of the Printing &
Photography Division (P&PD).
2. The Genigraphics system contains stock designs in computer
storage. In addition to the stock designs--letters, numbers, symbols,
logos, cartoons, scenes, etc.--a trained operator may input graphics
of his preference. Then, by manipulating controls that consist of
a keyboard and a pair of knobs (joy sticks) and dials, the operator
can edit, crop, magnify, rearrange, distort, change color, and perform
electronic wizardry on the image displayed on a television monitor.
When the operator is satisfied, the push of a button transfers the
image on the screen to a 35mm slide and/or stores the data on magnetic
tape. The data may subsequently be quickly, efficiently, and conveniently
updated through classical computer-based methods.
3. The computer generates images through the computerized
juxtaposition of lines, slopes, rectangles, circles, and arcs. This
base enables the system to be particularly efficient in the automation
and composition of pie charts, bar charts, area charts, and other
graphics composited from the basic geometric and alpha numeric elements.
An artist averages about one simple bar chart per hour. Genigraphics
averages about 18 similar charts per hour. Once the format is
established, data is-entered on punched cards and the system produces
finished slides. This ability to automate artwork, particularly
statistical-type briefing material, would have the following advantages:
a. Free skilled artists from the tedious and mundane
work of creating and correcting statistical-based briefing
material.
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SUBJECT: Computer-Based Art Production
b. Enable greater use of quality graphics throughout
the Agency.
c. Provide an efficient method to meet peak workloads
and short deadlines.
d. Extend an artist's capability to quickly create
custom-designed artwork and special effects.
4. Tangible savings which would accrue to the Office of Logistics
(OL) through the implementation of a computer-based system are as
follows:
a. It is estimated that 50 percent of the predictable
and reoccurring work processed by the six artists in G&VAS
could be processed on a Genigraphics system. The time saving
is dependent on a multitude of isolated and interdependent
factors, but is estimated at 20 to 1. Assuming the accomplish-
ment of the same workload as the shop now processes, average
manpower savings per year could be 5,928 hours or 2.85 person
years. Assuming an average grade of GS-11 at a cost of $17K
per year, the average cost avoidance would be around $48,500
per year.
b. Peaks often occur where virtually all the artist's
time is prioritized to the manual effort of updating existing
organizational and statistical charts. The most recent example
representing a peak of manual, routine, and machine applicable
work was (is) G&VAS' support for the Presidential and Congressional
committees. A computerized system would enable G&VAS.to meet
these peaks while concurrently maintaining productively on work
which is not readily processed through automated methods. It
is impossible to accurately quantify a cost avoidance for this
category of work, but would probably be about one-half person
year, or $8,500 at the GS-11 level.
5. Other advantages which would accrue to the Agency are as
follows:
a. G&VAS has a six-month backlog with some work in the
backlog over nine months old and dying. In addition, 50
percent of the work is turned away. Negotiation, rank and
interpersonal relations influence the queue of work accomplish-
ment. A computerized system would enable G&VAS to be more
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SUBJECT: Computer-Based Art Production
immediately responsive to virtually all Agency customers.
The avoidance of the mutually unsatisfactory and often
traumatic consequence of turning work away will eliminate
a significant managerial time burden from the operation of
the art shop.
b. P&PD knows of the existence of 10 art shops, including
G&VAS, throughout the Agency--four in the DD/A, two in the
DD/I, three in DD/S&T, and one in the IC Staff. In addition,
G&VAS' limited staffing predetermines a substantial level of
graphic activity in the operating components. A centralized
computer-based system would offer a capability to provide
Agency artwork quicker with fewer people. A computer-based
system also offers the potential for savings through the
consolidation of the various art shops.
c. The system enables fast response to priority requests.
The DCI, for example, could give general direction and ideas
to an artist and within a few hours preliminary briefing
material would be available on slides, or alternatively
remotely displayed in the DCI area on a video recorder. The
Director could indicate approval or changes, the changes
could be incorporated and revised data available in minutes.
A remote communications option would enable the Director to
access and review stored briefing material, and within minutes
have available revised and uprated material.
6. A minimum system consisting of a control console, image
processing equipment, display monitor and minicomputer cost $300,000
in 1974. Our initial requirements would exceed the minimum system
in the following areas:
a. Higher digital storage capacity.
b. Remote terminal and control systems.
c. Output in addition to the 35mm slides (color
negatives, etc.).
It is estimated that a system configuration to satisfy P&PD's immediate
needs would cost from 360,000 to 400,000 in today's dollars. Assuming
consolidation and centralization of most or all of the various art
shops, the system could ultimately expand to include:
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SUBJECT: Computer-Based Art Production
a. Multiterminals.
b. Multicomputer systems (one dedicated to console
operations and one for slide production).
c. Ability to store and generate more complex data
d. Ability to interface with other computer-based
systems.
7. The. computer-based system would enable a quantum improvement
in service. Turnaround time would be responsive and a higher percentage
of customers could be served. The G&VAS' limited staff historically
has been responsive to about 50 percent of the requests. A Genigraphics
system will enable the same staff to meet a greater spectrum of require-
ments. An automated system offers the potential for substantial
savings through the centralization of Agency art shops. If analysis
is confined to saving manpower against a constant workload truncated
at existing levels, the direct and tangible cost avoidance to P&PD is
$57,000 per year (paragraph 4.a. and 4.b. above). Based on this
preliminary estimate, the cost amortization for a $400,000 system
dedicated to P&PD would be about seven years. As the life of the
system is conservatively estimated in excess of seven years, system
procurement is justified through P&PD cost benefits alone.
8. Preliminary analysis of P&PD and Agency requirements. against
the demonstrated power, versatility and flexibility of the Genigraphics
system indicates procurement of a system is judicious and cost effective.
As funds have not been identified in the OL budget for system procure-
ment, it is recommended that $400,000 be allocated in FY 1976 for the
procurement of a system. System analysis will continue to determine
the system configuration which is most responsive to Agency requirements.
Uhlet
Printing & Photography Division, OL
STATINTL
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