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2 cgw j u ly . a u g u s t 2 0 1 7 SIGGRAPH 2017: GET READY ach year, thousands of professional artists and animators take time from their busy schedules to attend the annual SIGGRAPH conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques. They are there to see demos, hear from leading researchers, learn about new techniques, and more. Indeed, SIGGRAPH is their mecca for discovery and education. While it's hard to believe, we are celebrating the 44th SIGGRAPH, which is taking place in Los Angeles once again. Why is the conference so special to our industry today, as it has been for more than four decades? This year's conference chair, Jerome Sol- omon from Cogswell Polytechnical College, offers an answer, shares his connection to SIGGRAPH, and provides a primer as to what we can expect this year. W H A T C A N A T T E N D E E S E X P E C T D I F F E R E N T L Y T H I S Y E A R ? I'm so excited about all the new things we have in place for our attendees. There will be a real, live giraffe named Tiny that will be a model for a drawing class. We have a VR Theater venue featuring VR Storytelling experiences from the world's best storytellers utilizing high-end VR headsets and equipment: Baobab Studios, Penrose, New York Times, and Google Spotlight, to name a few. We will have a Production Art Gallery featuring props and costumes from many of the most memorable films by studios like Sony and Marvel. We have totally redesigned the standard SIGGRAPH mug into the shape of a teapot, emphasizing our roots in computer graphics! We have a collectible Shay D. Pixel bobblehead. (You can follow my main man Shay D on Twitter @ShayDPixel.) Also, there is a company demonstrating a technology that allows you to throw away your keyboard and mouse, and instead, put on a special cap and use your brain to play games and do other things. And, we have a Syrian studio presenting on the challenges of doing work in a war zone. W H A T I S T H I S Y E A R ' S T H E M E , A N D H O W I S T H A T R E F L E C T E D A T T H E C O N F E R E N C E ? This year's theme is 'At the heart of computer graphics and interactive techniques.' It is reflected in every part of the conference. We have done many things to show our love for computer graphics and our attendees. SIGGRAPH is a loving non-profit volunteer organization. H O W D O E S T H I S Y E A R ' S T H E M E R E S O N A T E W I T H Y O U O N A P E R S O N A L L E V E L ? The theme means a lot to me. I have been attending SIGGRAPH since 1987, and have spent 17 years in the industry. Now I'm at Cogswell College, trying to help students reach their goals. For me, having 'heart' means caring about people while also being dedicated to computer graphics. I have dedicated my life to CG. So, for me, it is really an honor to be the chair of such a great conference representing this wonderful community. H O W H A S S I G G R A P H I N F L U E N C E D Y O U P E R S O N A L L Y A N D P R O F E S S I O N A L L Y ? Personally, I have grown and learned a lot. I have met friends and professionals who gave me faithful guidance through my whole career. In 1993, I worked on a short film that made it into the Computer Animation Festival, and this started my professional career. Professionally, I have been able to contribute to the conference both in the industry and while at Cogswell College. So, these opportunities to participate as a contributor have been the foundation of my career.. 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