Member Profile: Alexus Aiken
1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
I am a digital media instructor at Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. I am currently in my third year as a full-time instructor, and I teach foundational 3D animation and modeling courses and help advise our senior capstone projects.
2. What was your first job?
As soon as I was eligible for a working permit at the age of 14, I became a camp counselor for a Philadelphia day camp centered on prevention and foster care services. I continued to work several part-time jobs throughout my teenage years and college.
3. Where did you complete your formal education?
I received a Bachelor of Science in Animation & Visual Effects as well as a Master of Science in Digital Media from Drexel University.
4. How did you first get involved with ACM SIGGRAPH?
I first heard about SIGGRAPH from the Drexel ACM SIGGRAPH Student Chapter, but my first involvement with SIGGRAPH was as the booth lead for Drexel’s booth in 2023. It was incredible to be able to attend the conference for the first time, after years of hearing about it.
5. What is your favorite memory of a SIGGRAPH conference?
My favorite SIGGRAPH memory is from SIGGRAPH 2023 in LA. It was my first ever conference, and walking onto the exhibition floor for the first time was overwhelming in the best way. Seeing all the tech and booths representing all areas of our industry gave me hope not only for our field, but for my place in the field.
6. Describe a project that you would like to share with the ACM SIGGRAPH community.
I completed my master’s thesis “HANDiMATE: Digital Puppeteering Using a Hand Depth Sensor for Animation” in 2022. The research paper is available to view on ProQuest and documents the process of using a Leap Motion controller and Unreal Engine to animate a bipedal character in real-time.
7. If you could have dinner with one living or non-living person, who would it be and why?
I would love to have dinner with Serena Williams. She is such an inspiration and testament to the fact that hard work and being authentic pays off. Not only has she had incredible success on the tennis field, but she has used her success as an athlete to create a venture capital fund, largely serving underrepresented women, Black, and Latino founders.
8. What is something most people don’t know about you?
I am a first-generation college graduate and the only person in my family who holds an advanced degree.
9. From which single individual have you learned the most in your life? What did they teach you?
My older sister Ainyne has been incredibly impactful in my life and career. She was the first person in my family to earn a college degree. She now works as a celebrity stylist in LA. She has taught me everything from makeup and hair tips, to how to how to build generational wealth, create healthy mind/body habits and to take risks. She has instilled so much confidence in me and how I conduct myself as a professional.
10. Is there someone in particular who has influenced your decision to work with ACM SIGGRAPH?
Both Milady Bridges and Nick Jushchyshyn have been integral in my decision to get involved with and attend SIGGRAPH conferences. Alex Bryant, John Kays, and Brad Lawrence have influenced me to continue to work with ACM SIGGRAPH.
11. What can you point to in your career as your proudest moment?
I have always wanted to be a teacher and pay forward the lasting impact my primary school teachers imprinted on me. Being hired straight out of grad school as a full-time instructor at the collegiate level has been the proudest moment in my career. My students continue to add to that list as they continually impress me with theirhard work and determination to learn concepts to continue to grow our field.