Member Profile: Mayet Maria Andreassen
1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
I am currently one of two Associate Program Directors for the Visualization program at Texas A&M University’s School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts. I am also an Instructional Assistant Professor. I have been teaching in higher education for over 14 years, with a background in game development and animation production. I have been teaching at Texas A&M University for 6+ years.
2. What was your first job?
My first job was an internship in High School through the University of Cincinnati’s Design Architecture Art and Planning program. It was a pilot program aimed at increasing enrollment to the school. A select group of students got the opportunity to get a mentor in their chosen field of the arts, as well as a summer internship. My interest was animation. Jim Borgman was my mentor. The closest Internship to my interest of animation, was at Kenner Products in the Boys Toys Department. It was an amazing opportunity that really helped me to make better and more informed decisions regarding my education and career.
3. Where did you complete your formal education?
I got my B.F.A. in Animation from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA and my M.F.A. in computer graphics and animation at The Academy of Art University in San Francisco. CA.
4. How did you first get involved with ACM SIGGRAPH?
I first attended ACM SIGGRAPH in 2005, and have attended a number of times since. I started getting involved in ACM SIGGRAPH, in terms of submitting work, about 3 years ago with the FSSW. That has led to more involvement, including being a part of the Electronic Theater Triage Review Board in 2023. I recently joined the SIGGRAPH Educational Committee, I have submitted 2 previews of my research to SOIREE, and I plan to submit a paper to SIGGRAPH 2024.
5. What is your favorite memory of a SIGGRAPH conference?
I think my favorite might have been in 2005 when George Lucas had a talk. That was pretty amazing and informative.
6. Describe a project that you would like to share with the ACM SIGGRAPH community.
I am currently doing research regarding the use of AI Tools in the classroom. I would like to submit a paper on that.
7. If you could have dinner with one living or non-living person, who would it be and why?
Oprah, Tyler Perry, or Isa Rae. I have ideas for new content and would love to get those ideas in the hands of content creators who would be interested in making those ideas a reality.
8. What is something most people don’t know about you?
During the great recession I worked as a lab tech at a winery during the harvest of 2009. It was a lot of fun.
9. From which single individual have you learned the most in your life? What did they teach you?
I’ve probably learned the most from my paternal grandmother, but the most impactful was from a woman named Jane Pretty. I worked with her for a few years in my early 20s. Her advice to me was “It’s an automatic no if you don’t try” This was truly impactful for me. It completely changed how I approached opportunities.
10. Is there someone in particular who has influenced your decision to work with ACM SIGGRAPH?
Barbara Klein encouraged me to submit to FSSW, Courtney Starrett submitted my name as a triage review board member for the Electronic theater, and Glenn Goldman encouraged me to submit my interest in joining the SIGGRAPH Education Committee.
11. What can you point to in your career as your proudest moment?
My first publication, for the Architecture and Film Symposium in 2019 is called, Back In Time: A Journey through Built Environments and Back to the Future. I am also very proud of the achievements my students have made in their careers over the years. It’s just really wonderful to see and makes me so proud.