ACM SIGGRAPH

ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) SIGGRAPH (Special Interest Group on GRAPHics and Interactive Techniques).

ACM SIGGRAPH is arguably the most prestigious professional organisation associated with computer graphics.  It is certainly one of the most long-standing, having been established in 1969.  

From a personal perspective, I had known of SIGGRAPH primarily as the host an annual conference held in North America.  This event is used to display new techniques and highlighting the latest in digital techniques and applications.  These are often delivered by industry luminaries to crowds of (literally) thousands.  For example,  John Lassester and Ed Cattmull premiered both the seminal  ‘The Adventures of Andre and Wally B’ in 1984 and ‘Luxor Jnr’ in 1986 at SIGGRAPH (Paik, 2007). 

However, SIGGRAPH’s scope ranges far wider than these annual events.  In fact, SIGGRAPH defines itself as an overarching, non-profit, community aiming to “to promote the generation and dissemination of information on computer graphics and interactive techniques” (SIGGRAPH, 2012).  According to the official website, “members include those involved in research, development, education, art, gaming, visualization, and entertainment” (SIGGRAPH, 2012).   Together they form an international network organised into 50 ‘professional chapters’, alongside comparable ‘student chapters’.  The chapters themselves are spread across several continents and an annual conference has also been held in Asia since 2008. 

Membership of SIGGRAPH currently costs $42 ($30 per year for students, $35 per year for Eurographics members).  From a personal perspective, there are several advantages to joining – not least the proximity of a UK chapter based in Manchester.  There are valuable resources available online and members have access to relevant (historical and contemporary) journals and to video conferences.  The latter include recordings of the annual festival.   In addition, details and invitations to future conferences/ local chapter events are available to all members. These are offered at a discount and offer opportunities to meet with professionals from related fields. 

There is no obvious obstruction to my becoming part of the community at the present.  However, I do foresee potential economic barriers in the future.  SIGGRAPH membership will not necessarily extend to events held under ‘umbrella’ organisations.   For example, I have enquired about the uncoming Visigrapp conference in Rome (including papers concerning 3D Interactive Environments) but have found that attendance will cost €645.  This aside, I feel that the advantages far outweigh any future hurdles and I will consider joining the Manchester chapter of SIGGRAPH at the first opportunity.