Member Profile: Theresa-Marie Rhyne

1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?

Currently, I colorize digital things. I build color schemes for computer graphics compositions and visualizations. I have been colorizing since I could hold crayons in my hand. Since my childhood, I did learn more about color theory and how to apply it to digital media and visualization.

2. What was your first job?

My first paid job was as a sales and stock girl at the French Shop in Baltimore, Maryland. It was a designer dress shop and I enjoyed helping customers shop for dresses.

3. Where did you complete your formal education?

I am a very proud graduate of Stanford University’s School of Engineering.

4. How did you first get involved with ACM SIGGRAPH?

I applied and received an ACM SIGGRAPH Educator’s Grant in 1986 to attend SIGGRAPH 1986 in Dallas, Texas. It was the first year Judy Brown and Steve Cunningham administered the grants. I had attended SIGGRAPH 1985 in San Francisco and wanted to expand my horizons.

5. What is your favorite memory of a SIGGRAPH conference?

I have attended many SIGGRAPH conferences so there are so many memories during many phases of my career in computer graphics. My most recent favorite memory was a standing room only (SRO) attendance at my SIGGRAPH 2019 course on Color Fundamentals for Digital Content Creation, Visualization, and Exploration.

I had never had an SRO experience regarding my work on colorizing digital media before. It was an overwhelming experience.

6. Describe a project that you would like to share with the ACM SIGGRAPH community.

Currently, I am working on training Generative Artificial Intelligent – Generative AI – Systems to colorize data visualizations. Producing data color schemes is a complicated process for Generative AI systems to consistently understand.

7. If you could have dinner with one living or non-living person, who would it be and why?

I would have dinner with my parents to tell that that I finally wrote the book on color I had dreamed of doing since childhood.

8. What is something most people don’t know about you?

I am a graduate of the Barbizon Modeling and Acting School.

9. From which single individual have you learned the most in your life? What did they teach you?

Both of my parents were accomplished physicians who taught me how to be grateful for each day of life. Tomorrow is not promised.

10. Is there someone in particular who has influenced your decision to work with ACM SIGGRAPH?

I have many dear friends in the ACM SIGGRAPH community who have encouraged me over many years. Many of these people have provided me with terrific growth opportunities. To name one would diminish the contribution of another. So, I would just rather say Thank You to the SIGGRAPH community for such beautiful moments in my life.

11. What can you point to in your career as your proudest moment?

The publication of my book on “Applying Color Theory to Digital Media and Visualization” by CRC Press in late 2016. It encapsulated my lifelong journey in color studies that I am still working on.