Member Profile: Aubri White
1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
I am a recent graduate that specializes in technical art and compositing, currently building up time under my belt.
2. What was your first job?
My first job was as a 3D artist under the Harrington Project back in 2017.
3. Where did you complete your formal education?
I graduated from the University of Central Florida this year Spring 2020.
4. How did you first get involved with ACM SIGGRAPH?
I first got involved through my college chapter that led to me volunteering in 2018. And then afterward involving myself in the Orlando chapter with my friend Amy Noetzel who became apart of the board for a little while later.
5. What is your favorite memory of a SIGGRAPH conference?
My favorite memory would have to be when SIGGRAPH was in its final day and all of the volunteers who worked the VR Theatre were given permission to finally watch the short films we’d been screening without context for days. It was so much fun joking around and treating each other like the guests we’d been attending the whole conference. We all really got to enjoy ourselves that day. And I’d have to say a close runner up was when one of the google volunteers tried to barter with me, a shirt for my small SIGGRAPH Tokyo lanyard koala. No, I did not trade, and yes I do regret it ha, but I still have that little guy.
6. Describe a project that you would like to share with the ACM SIGGRAPH community.
Currently, I am in the early works of a small personal project showcasing my current ability with 2D rigging and character design to continue expanding my portfolio while working on my current internship.
7. If you could have dinner with one living or non-living person, who would it be and why?
I would choose to have dinner with Janelle Monae, she as a creative has been a big influence for me, specifically her album entitled the Archandroid. In this, she builds a world influenced by one of my favorite films Metropolis, while also creating a new narrative to highlight black women and people of color in her interpretation. Representation in something I am always striving for in my work, so to see her essentially create a new narrative of a favorite film of mine that could involve someone like me lit a fire in my heart. I feel like she and I would have a great conversation over our similar goals when it comes to our work.
8. What is something most people don’t know about you?
I think something most people don’t know is that when people first meet me I may come across very collected and calm but internally I’m always so anxious. I’ve gotten better at keeping my nerves under control but when meeting new people I always manage to get the jitters despite my love of making new friends!
9. From which single individual have you learned the most in your life? What did they teach you?
Without a doubt, the person I have learned the most in my life from would be my mother, early in my childhood and upbringing my mother always made it her goal to make sure I felt as though I was seen. More specifically that I was represented in the media I would engage with, toys I would play with, and books I would read. Having this let me know early on that I as a little Black girl had a place in this world, and I was welcome in it. And I want to instill that sense of sureness and welcomeness for people of all backgrounds in my work.
10. Is there someone in particular who has influenced your decision to work with ACM SIGGRAPH?
While my friends throughout school were my main influence, there is one person who was an immense help to be in my beginnings with SIGGRAPH. That person being Meaghan Long, she was so involved with making sure I was all set throughout my first experience at SIGGRAPH.It was so comforting knowing there was someone who I knew had my back.
11. What can you point to in your career as your proudest moment?
Considering I am still very early in my career I can say I don’t think I’ve hit my proudest moment yet, but I am so eager for what the future will provide for me.