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The Exhibition
Thousands of people visit the 2007 SIGGRAPH Exhibition to see the latest in computer technology.
Masses poured into the San Diego Convention Center this week to check out the latest and greatest in computer technology at the SIGGRAPH 2007 Exhibition. The Exhibition has grown in scale about 18% since last year, drawing in over twenty-four thousand visitors. The crowd consists of gamers, artists, scientists, programmers, and end users, all of whom come eager to check out over 225 exhibitors. The event attracts so much excitement that this year over three-thousand conference attendees came exclusively to check out the showroom.
SIGGRAPH has proven itself to be a premier place for companies to gain international exposure and recognition for their products and services. Many participating vendors choose the Exhibition floor at the annual conference to make major announcements. The graphics, technology, and entertainment community count on this time to learn about new items on the market and to keep up with the latest developments. Over three intense days, an array of products and services including 3D software, Artificial Intelligence, Motion Capture, PC-Based Systems, and Storage Devices were put on display. Schools and animation studios were also present to show off their work and recruit new talent.
Motion capture vendors drew in the crowds with expansive dance floors on which suited women exhibited real-time motion capturing technology. Multitudes gathered to watch these women perform dance moves while a near-by monitor displayed animated characters following their movements.
Schools used the buzz in the air to attract attention to and recruit new students to their programs. Ringling set up a theater to showcase their students’ work and displayed the animation posters and work status of their recently graduated seniors. Animation Mentor set up a booth with information about their unique school that has working professionals from major animation studios teach live classes online. Gnomon offered hourly classes on the exhibition floor along with DVDs from The Gnomon Workshop at a discounted price.
Other vendors tried to get visitors hooked on their products by offering free demos and classes. Sony Imageworks set up a life drawing studio with live models and easels. Google created work stations to showcase their new mapping products, giving demos to interested patrons. Autodesk and Lightwave held software sessions throughout the day for both beginning and more advanced users. Other smaller companies gave personal demonstrations of their products in an attempt to attract new customers or assist existing ones.
Many studios came to the convention eager to find new talent. Lucasfilm and ILM had a constant flow of inquiring artists stop by to discuss job opportunities and requirements. They each received thousands of applications at the booths and online over the three day run. Laika, a commercial animation studio from Portland, had a book of current job openings, from stop-motion animators to technical directors, which went from hand to hand from one aspiring artist to another. Many of these companies only have a limited number of positions available, but come to SIGGRAPH in hopes of finding a few gems in the mix.
Disney’s Animation, Pixar, and RenderMan booths spent most of their energy on promoting their companies. Disney Animation set up a 3D stereographic theater where visitors could watch scenes from their latest feature film. They also handed out paraphernalia showing off their new logo. Pixar gave out limited edition toy teapots to fans who lined up by the thousands over an hour beforehand. Unfortunately, they ran out before all the enthusiasts received one.
Overall, the Exhibition was a success for all participants. Visitors seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and basked in the excitement of a room filled with fellow passionate computer graphics folk. Exhibitors had the opportunity to show off their companies and get their names out there. The Exhibition will sure bring back just as many people next year.
SIGGRAPH has proven itself to be a premier place for companies to gain international exposure and recognition for their products and services. Many participating vendors choose the Exhibition floor at the annual conference to make major announcements. The graphics, technology, and entertainment community count on this time to learn about new items on the market and to keep up with the latest developments. Over three intense days, an array of products and services including 3D software, Artificial Intelligence, Motion Capture, PC-Based Systems, and Storage Devices were put on display. Schools and animation studios were also present to show off their work and recruit new talent.
Motion capture vendors drew in the crowds with expansive dance floors on which suited women exhibited real-time motion capturing technology. Multitudes gathered to watch these women perform dance moves while a near-by monitor displayed animated characters following their movements.
Schools used the buzz in the air to attract attention to and recruit new students to their programs. Ringling set up a theater to showcase their students’ work and displayed the animation posters and work status of their recently graduated seniors. Animation Mentor set up a booth with information about their unique school that has working professionals from major animation studios teach live classes online. Gnomon offered hourly classes on the exhibition floor along with DVDs from The Gnomon Workshop at a discounted price.
Other vendors tried to get visitors hooked on their products by offering free demos and classes. Sony Imageworks set up a life drawing studio with live models and easels. Google created work stations to showcase their new mapping products, giving demos to interested patrons. Autodesk and Lightwave held software sessions throughout the day for both beginning and more advanced users. Other smaller companies gave personal demonstrations of their products in an attempt to attract new customers or assist existing ones.
Many studios came to the convention eager to find new talent. Lucasfilm and ILM had a constant flow of inquiring artists stop by to discuss job opportunities and requirements. They each received thousands of applications at the booths and online over the three day run. Laika, a commercial animation studio from Portland, had a book of current job openings, from stop-motion animators to technical directors, which went from hand to hand from one aspiring artist to another. Many of these companies only have a limited number of positions available, but come to SIGGRAPH in hopes of finding a few gems in the mix.
Disney’s Animation, Pixar, and RenderMan booths spent most of their energy on promoting their companies. Disney Animation set up a 3D stereographic theater where visitors could watch scenes from their latest feature film. They also handed out paraphernalia showing off their new logo. Pixar gave out limited edition toy teapots to fans who lined up by the thousands over an hour beforehand. Unfortunately, they ran out before all the enthusiasts received one.
Overall, the Exhibition was a success for all participants. Visitors seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and basked in the excitement of a room filled with fellow passionate computer graphics folk. Exhibitors had the opportunity to show off their companies and get their names out there. The Exhibition will sure bring back just as many people next year.