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Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo
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2010/06/02

Pioneer of “Interaction Techniques”

Associate Professor Takeo Igarashi
(Department of Computer Science)

Associate Professor Igarashi conducts research on design interfaces that allow even beginners to easily produce 3-dimensional computer graphics (CG), which used to take long time to be produced by experts. He is especially well-known for developing the technique to produce 3D models with handwritten sketches called sketch interface. This is an innovative technology to produce 3D shapes by automatically computing 3D shapes with a computer once you draw the silhouette of the shape you want to design.

He also developed a technique to move 2D drawings on the computer screen by directly touching them with fingers of both hands. Although it was hard to get the feel of grabbing objects in the real world using traditional techniques that deform space, sensations as if you were grabbing and manipulating real objects can now be realized by applying techniques to freely rotate and move 2D shapes with your fingers and deform shapes.

The new user interface was suggested to make production of 3D CG and animation easier from general users' point of view, and includes for example a 2D animation production technique and a 3D character clothing manipulation technique based on the idea to grab drawings on the screen with both hands.

Associate Professor Igarashi' s recent researches include design systems for real objects such as apparel and furniture, and user interface for robots besides CG. This indicates that the target of research is extended to expression in the real world in which we live, while traditional research targeted at expressions in the virtual world such as 3D CG and animations. He is highly recognized in Japan and abroad for his series of research achievements and lives up to the name of “interaction technician” for what he has accomplished.


Graduate School of Information Science and Technology
the University of Tokyo