After attracting 24,043 to San Diego last week for SIGGRAPH 2007, the 34th International Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, the 2008 edition will institute fundamental conference changes to bring attendees a synergistic, educational experience resulting from a content selection process that affords focus on timely industry themes rather than strictly on presentation type. The conference changes will be enacted in 2008 and are also anticipated to further foster more fluid cross-program collaboration.
SIGGRAPH 2008, with the theme Evolve, returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center. The conference will take place Aug. 11-15, with the exhibition occurring Aug. 12-14.
"The education marketplace is changing. SIGGRAPH leadership understands this and is actively addressing the issue by developing an education experience for computer graphics professionals that cannot, and need not, be duplicated in any other event," said Jacquelyn Martino, SIGGRAPH 2008 Conference chair from IBM Watson Research. "If an industry professional can afford to attend only one event a year, SIGGRAPH will be that all encompassing, one-stop event."
SIGGRAPH 2008 will have a streamlined, cohesive conference committee structure that facilitates multi-year planning and continuity, and enables a multi-disciplinary approach for content delivery to attendees. The conference program areas are: Arts, Encounter, Entertainment, Industry Relations, Interactive Technologies, Operations, Production, Professional & Educational Development and Research. The Papers Program and Computer Animation Festival will be maintained.
According to Martino, professional education and networking needs are evolving beyond a traditional conference configuration and SIGGRAPH is poised to evolve with those needs. With the exception of the Papers Program and the Computer Animation Festival, attendees will move through the conference by theme, and traditional barriers will disappear. They will be able to navigate throughout desired exhibits and conference elements without needing to enter several different areas of the Convention Center.
This fluidity of conference elements will continue after leaving SIGGRAPH 2008. The attendee experience will grow throughout the year from the enhanced number of contacts attendees can make at SIGGRAPH 2008 and the pervasive nature of content dissemination not just during, but also after the event.
* SIGGRAPH 2008 Chair - Jacquelyn Martino, IBM Watson Research* Arts Director - Rebecca Strzelec, Penn State Altoona* Computer Animation Festival Co-Chairs - Emru Townsend, FRAMES PER SECOND magazine; Jill Smolin* Curated Art Chair - Lira Nikolovska, Autodesk Inc.* Director of Encounters - MK Haley, Disney-ABC Digital Media* Entertainment Director - Jill Smolin* Industry Relations Director - Pete Braccio, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute* Interactive Technologies Chair - Peter Stepniewicz, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts* International Resources Co-Chairs - Scott Lang, Bergen County Academies; Kirsten Cater, University of Bristol* Juried Art Chair - Lina Yamaguchi, Stanford University* New Tech Director - Joe Marks, Walt Disney Animation Studios* Operations Director - John Fujii, Hewlett-Packard Co.* Production Director - Darin Grant, PDI/Dream Works* Professional & Educational Development Director - Dena DeBry, Stanford University* Research Contributions Chair - Marc Alexa, Technische Universitat Berlin* Research Director - Adam Finkelstein, Princeton University* Sponsorship & Donations Chair - Megan Orosz, Custom CG* Studio Chair - Phillip Carrizzi, Kendall College of Art and Design* Student Volunteer Chair/XSV Chair - Joshua Scott Grow, Reality Check Studios* Technical Papers Chair - Greg Turk, Georgia Institute of Technology
SIGGRAPH 2008 will bring an estimated 25,000 computer graphics and interactive technology professionals from six continents to Los Angeles, California, for the industry's most respected technical and creative programs focusing on research, science, art, animation, gaming, interactivity, education and the web from Aug. 11-15 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. SIGGRAPH 2008 includes a three-day exhibition of products and services from the computer graphics and interactive marketplace from Aug. 13-15. More than 250 international exhibiting companies are expected. Registration for the conference and exhibition is open to the public. More details are available at www.siggraph.org/s2008.
The Assoc. for Computing Machinery (ACM) SIGGRAPH sponsors SIGGRAPH 2008. ACM is an educational and scientific society uniting the world's computing educators, researchers and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development and professional networking.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
