It all began in 2016 as a lunch for women attending the top international computer graphics conference, SIGGRAPH. Today, WiGRAPH—short for women in graphics—is an official SIGGRAPH Community Group on a mission to increase the number of women pursuing cutting-edge research in computer graphics. The group organizes research-focused events, networking opportunities, and a Rising Stars program that connects women in the early stages of their careers with mentorship and support.
We talked to a few of the Adobe Researchers who work with WiGRAPH to learn more about their work inspiring and supporting women in the computer graphics community.
First, can you tell us a bit about your own research?
Deepali Aneja, Research Engineer: My research is about applying machine learning to innovate creative tools and interactive multimodal user experiences. My focus lies in advancing speech-driven motion graphics and automating complex tasks such as sketch cleanup, sketch vectorization, and image and video editing. What excites me most about this work is the potential to transform the digital content creation landscape, enhancing storytelling and empowering creative individuals to excel alongside larger production houses. It’s an exciting time in this field, full of limitless possibilities.
Anh Truong, Research Engineer: My work is in human computer interaction (HCI) with a focus on video. I’m currently looking at how to build workflows around generative tools that help people clearly and easily express their intentions. Right now, I’m really excited about developments in Gen AI, which I think will augment people’s workflows for creating videos and telling stories in general and help democratize storytelling.
Mackenzie Leake, Research Scientist: My research is around computational design tools in two major areas. In video, I’m working on text-based editing using transcripts and textual information to allow people to edit videos more effectively. I also work on design tools for sewing quilts and clothing. Recently, I’ve been focusing on ways to use materials more effectively, incorporating things like fabric scraps and efficient garment layouts with sustainability goals in mind.
What role have WiGRAPH and SIGGRAPH played in your career so far?
Leake: In 2022, I was a postdoc right as WiGRAPH started the Rising Stars program. I was in the first group of beneficiaries of the program. Rising Stars is a two-year workshop that supports people in the late stages of their PhDs or early in their postdocs. They bring in senior speakers and hold events to help you prepare to go on the job market. It was so helpful for things like weighing a career in industry versus academia, and figuring out when to apply and what types of materials I’d need. It was also great for meeting other people going through the same thing.
Aneja: SIGGRAPH has profoundly impacted my career as a researcher by providing platforms for showcasing research, networking with peers and experts, and staying updated on the latest innovations. WiGRAPH has broadened my research horizons and enhanced my ability to contribute meaningfully to the field’s advancement on a global scale.
How would you describe the WiGRAPH community?
Truong: WiGRAPH is such a welcoming and supportive community of women who champion each other. It’s a place where senior women researchers help more junior women researchers thrive.
Aneja: Our primary mission has always been to expand the network of women in this field. We strive to increase participation in cutting-edge research by fostering environments where women researchers can connect, find role models, seek mentorship, and receive encouragement.
Can you tell us about a favorite WiGRAPH moment?
Leake: I attended the first WiGRAPH lunch back in 2016 when I was in grad school. For a lot of us, it was surprising and inspiring to see everyone in one room and it was so cool to be part of this community that had never really gathered before. It’s been wonderful, over the years, to see how the goals and initiatives of the group have grown with our community.
Truong: One year at a WiGRAPH event, we were talking to a senior woman in industry who told us that, when she first started her career, she was really scared to speak up and say things in meetings because she was worried she’d be wrong. Then someone told her, ‘Men speak up all the time, even if they are wrong, so you shouldn’t be scared about doing it, too.’ That was something that really stuck with me.
How did you decide to volunteer for WiGRAPH? And what do you do?
Truong: Back in the days before WiGRAPH was WiGRAPH, it was a women’s lunch at SIGGRAPH. It was planned by one of my Adobe Research mentors, Floraine Berthouzoz, and I attended the event during my first SIGGRAPH. Unfortunately, Floraine passed soon after. Those of us who were her mentees wanted to carry her legacy forward, so every year we’d plan a women’s lunch. Since then, the idea has grown to be so much more.
Aneja: Since 2022, I’ve served as the organizer and co-coordinator of the Rising Stars program. Through coordinating selection processes, orchestrating mentorship opportunities, and engaging in industry outreach initiatives, WiGRAPH has enriched my own professional journey and contributed significantly to building a vibrant and inclusive research community.
Leake: This year, I’m a co-coordinator for the WiGRAPH lunch at SIGGRAPH. As a beneficiary of WiGRAPH’s work, I’m so happy to be involved. It’s a several-months-long planning effort, and the lunch usually leads to a lot of signups and renewed interest. Afterward, there’s a lot to review so we can keep improving.
What’s the most rewarding thing about working with WiGRAPH? What impact do you hope to make?
Leake: SIGGRAPH is such a huge event. Some people go without lab members, and that can be daunting. I hope that WiGRAPH is helping them see that SIGGRAPH is their home. And I hope we’re able to help students and early-career researchers find community and role models, explore different careers and life paths, and find their place within graphics. We’re a small but mighty—and growing—community.
Truong: A lot of the time junior students, and especially women, can be scared to speak up or unsure about how they fit into the world of computer graphics. So I hope that this organization helps support them, encourages them to grow, and gives them opportunities and exposure to people who’ve been through this before—so they know it’s possible and that there’s space for them.
Aneja: The most rewarding thing is seeing the direct impact on women researchers in computer graphics. I’ve had the privilege of seeing people gain confidence, build networks, and achieve their dream research positions in academia and industry. It’s incredibly fulfilling to be part of their journeys.
Wondering what else is happening inside Adobe Research? Check out our latest news here and learn more about our publications at SIGGRAPH 2024 here!
