Joseph Scala has a BS in Mathematics and a post-graduate degree from Cornell University. He studied fine art, painting and sculpture and kinetic art. He was introduced to computers, and computer graphics. He was an instructor at the Department of Experimental Studios at Syracuse University, where he designed course work in the intersection of art and engineering. He took a workshop in computer graphics and was introduced to the work of Dr. Ken Knowlton. Scala introduced the concept of using computers by artists and art students to the University. The students applied this technology to a variety of media, including photography, weaving, collage, painting and film and video. Joseph and his wife Patsy offered an interdisciplinary course, along with a film instructor at the University, integrating film, video and computing. His personal work was highly involved in computers, and using digital technology to generate animated sequences, which he captured on film and transferred between film and video.

Artist and Computer, Ruth Leavitt. 1976.