XR

Submission Deadline: 15 July 2021, 23:59 UTC/GMT (Closed)

Extended Reality (XR) refers to all environments that combine real and virtual elements generated by computer technology. It includes representative forms such as Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality (VR). XR is a superset which includes the entire spectrum from "the complete real" to "the complete virtual" in the reality–virtuality continuum.

Following the success of the Virtual and Augmented Reality category at previous SIGGRAPH Asia conferences, and in particular, the newly established XR program, we are looking for the latest research and development results in XR to be showcased at the SIGGRAPH Asia 2021 XR Program.

This includes state-of-the-art solutions for interactive technologies, immersive installations, storytelling, new approaches for creative expression, novel displays, and collaboration within VR, AR, and MR Environments.

We will also have an exciting, invited presentation by our XR featured Speaker, Prof. Dr. Otmar Hilliges. Otmar is currently leading the Advance Interactive Technologies Lab at ETH Zurich, where his main goal is to push the boundaries of what humas can do with computers and how they interact with them. He is interested in machine perception of human activity, including pose estimation, gesture recognition and other forms of input sensing.

The SIGGRAPH Asia XR program offers a highly visible and interactive venue to present the latest in XR emerging digital media and interactive technologies. If you are doing anything innovative in the XR space, we would love to show your work at SIGGRAPH Asia 2021. We are looking forward to receiving your demonstration submissions!

As part of your submission materials, you will be asked to describe how you are going to present your demo at the venue and online. We welcome all creative approaches! As there are three programs with overlapping scope at SIGGRAPH Asia (XR (Extended Reality), Emerging Technologies, Art Gallery), we have created a separate page that helps submitters to decide which program fits best for their work.

If you have any questions about whether you might be a potential XR presenter, please send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

XR Chair

Professor, Paris-Saclay University
France

XR Co-chair

Keio University
Japan

XR Committee

Video Presentations

As SIGGRAPH Asia would be a Hybrid event, a video presentation will be a prerequisite for all submissions. Depending on the requirements of your program, a pre-recorded video presentation or supplementary video will be used and presented at SIGGRAPH Asia. This will allow your work to gain extensive coverage and give our global community the opportunity to learn about your submission.

Submissions are due on 15 July 2021, 23:59 UTC/GMT.

Before Submitting

Before you prepare a proposal, please carefully review these topics of interest for SIGGRAPH Asia Extended Reality (XR):

  • Extended reality experiences in art, science, medical, research, 360° film, entertainment, and gaming areas.
  • Artistic and technology performances and demonstrations with applications in design, health/medicine, engineering, science, and training/education among others.
  • Research projects that allow attendees to participate.
  • Content-driven and interactive projects that:
    • Demonstrate a unique type of interactive and immersive experience that was not possible 18 months ago.
    • Influence our day-to-day lives as practical applications or creative tools, or improve our relationship with each other and the world around us.
Submission Content Type

The Extended Reality (XR) is interested in submissions that can be an interactive one-on-one experience, a group experience, or a presentation that features a few participants with multiple onlookers, and can be explored interactively at a personal computer or mobile device with a head-mounted display (HMD) with minimal setup.

Submissions

Log in to the SIGGRAPH Asia Submission System, select “Begin New Submission”, and then select the “Create” button in the General Submission form. You will be asked for:

  • The submitter’s name.
  • Contact information, affiliation, and title of work.
  • Name of all authors, including co-creators.
  • List of credits.
  • Hardware and software required to run your project if it is selected. You will be required to bring your own equipment to demonstrate your applications, but a limited supply of equipment by the conference may be available.
  • A list of licensed components and/or middleware.
  • Size and space requirements.
  • Lighting needs. It is important and help us understand any light-sensitive aspects should these be relevant to your submission.
  • Electrical requirements. Please include how many outlets and any specifications.
  • Networking needs. Please include how many Ethernet or WIFI connections are required.
  • How long will the activity take an attendee to complete (approximately)
  • How many attendees can participate simultaneously (approximately)
Submission Materials

It is important to help us understand how the project will engage attendees during SIGGRAPH Asia. Please include the following information:

  • An abstract (two pages maximum), following the ACM SIGGRAPH Formatting instruction, in PDF format. Include how the submission fits within the Extended Reality vision.
  • At least one "representative image" suitable for us in the conference website and promotional materials. See Representative Image Guidelines.
  • A two-minute segment of captured video from your project. This video can include multiple non-continuous edits (like a trailer), but do not use any post-production tools to enhance the images or speed. Files must be QuickTime, MP4, Windows Media, or AVI files no larger than 250 MB. All videos must be uploaded to the SIGGRAPH Asia Submission System. No discs or drives will be accepted.

Non-native English speakers may use the English Review Service to help improve the text of submissions. Please note that the process takes time, so plan accordingly.

For more information about uploading files for your submission, please see Uploading Files.

For additional submission information, please see Submissions FAQ.

Deadlines

Online submission forms must be completed no later than 15 July 2021, 23:59 UTC/GMT | 15 July 2021, 16:59 Los Angeles (U.S.A. - California) | 16 July 2021, 01:59 Paris (France) | 16 July 2021, 08:59 Tokyo, Japan

Click here to convert time zones.

General Submission Policies

For more details on SIGGRAPH Asia’s General Submission Policies, please go to SIGGRAPH Asia’s Submission Information page.

3 programs have overlapping scope

  • Art Gallery
  • Emerging Technologies
  • XR

Below, we highlight features of each program that help submitters to decide which program to submit to.

However, for some works, it may not be possible to clearly decide the best-fitting program.

In that case, we encourage submitters to:

  • Submit the work to all fitting programs at the same time
  • Email the respective program chairs to notify them about this
    • Art Gallery: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    • Emerging Technologies: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    • XR (Extended Reality): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Then, the program chairs will decide which program this work best fits in and only judge it in that category.

Distinguishing Features of Each Program
  • Art Gallery
    • Submitted works need to fit the theme “The Future of Ritual and Resonance” and have to be intended as art projects.
  • Emerging Technologies
    • Place for innovative technologies that provides novel experience
    • This year’s theme: “Awaken Our Bodies”
    • Often features new hardware devices that cannot be purchased
    • Works usually focus on technology with design/artistic intent being secondary
    • “Maker” mentality
  • XR
    • Features novel VR / AR prototype systems and/or innovative content with off-the-shelf consumer products and software such as Unity or Unreal Engine
    • Works usually focus on novelty of the technology with design/artistic intent
    • Submissions with scientific focus are also acceptable, e.g., sophisticated redirect touching algorithms with standard hardware

Submissions will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Interactivity. How interactive is the project? Does it require attendee participation and interaction?
  • Immersion. Is the submission able to engage and immerse an attendee in an experience? Does the installation, demonstration, or performance inspire awe?
  • Innovative. Does the experience utilize new technologies, processes, and research from the past 18 months? Does it push the boundaries of creativity?
  • Collaborative. Will multiple people be able to participate at the same time? Does the installation, demonstration, or performance invite audience participation?

A jury will select the top-rated submissions for presentation at SIGGRAPH Asia, and all submitters will be notified of their submission status: accepted, conditionally accepted, or rejected. In all cases, the jury will provide detailed feedback to submitters.

In very rare cases, submissions may be conditionally accepted. If your work is conditionally accepted, you must demonstrate your submission to a jury member in person so that it can be measured against the criteria above. Jurors who have a conflict of interest with your submission will not be permitted to review your submission.

All contributors to SIGGRAPH Asia Annual Conferences are now required to use ACM's rights management system to grant rights to publish accepted content rather than through the SIGGRAPH Asia Submission System. Essentially, submission tracking, jury review, and acceptance remain the same, but now the rights management is through ACM, the parent organization of SIGGRAPH Asia.

You will be asked to complete an ACM rights management form, which includes permission to record and distribute the audio and video of your recorded presentation through official channels of ACM/SIGGRAPH Asia. For most content types, this will be a Permission and Release form, which allows authors to retain copyright.

More Information on these options (the FAQ is particularly useful)

As a contributor to an ACM-sponsored event, the following expectations apply to you, should your content be accepted for presentation:

  • You have the permission to use everything that is in your presentation. This includes securing permission to use third-party material, and providing documentation of that permission to ACM. (More information on the proper use of third-party material in your presentation)
  • If you are using copyrighted musical compositions in your presentation, you must secure performing rights licenses.
  • You must have the authority to grant ACM the right to distribute your presentation.

Once your contribution is accepted, you will receive a link via email to the appropriate form for your contribution.

ACM Rights Management Form

If your work is accepted for presentation at SIGGRAPH Asia:

  • You must complete the ACM Rights Management Form. The form will be sent to all submitters whose work is accepted.
  • Your representative image and text may be used for promotional purposes. Several SIGGRAPH Asia programs will prepare preview videos for pre-conference promotion of accepted content, which may include a portion of the video you submitted to review.
At the Conference

The main form of presentation in the Extended Reality (XR) is a demonstration, which will be available throughout the conference. You are responsible for ensuring that your demonstration is manned during all opening hours of the XR area.

Presenter and Contributor Recognition

Presenters / Contributors of each accepted submission have to register for at least one conference pass. Please visit our registration page to view the various registration categories for each program. Please see the Recognition Benefits for a summary of what you will receive if your work and/or proposal are accepted by SIGGRAPH Asia.

You can apply for a 100% discount via the submission system, one presenter per accepted submission.

Once your contribution is accepted, you will receive a link via email to the appropriate form for your contribution. You will be required to prepare the final print-ready file following the specifications in the acceptance notification.

Other Details

You will be able to update your basic submission information so that it can be included in the conference program and website. This information needs to be finalized two weeks after acceptance.

If your work is accepted, you will be required to prepare the final print-ready file following the specifications in the acceptance notification.

Please note: The schedule to provide your final material after receiving the acceptance notification is very tight. Please plan your personal schedule accordingly.

For instructions about preparation and delivery of your final content for publications, please carefully follow the instructions in the acceptance letter.

You will be able to update your basic submission information and any final materials so that it can be included in the conference program and web site. This information needs to be finalized two weeks after receipt of acceptance notifications. Please be prepared to deliver your final versions of your information and work on or before these dates.

Submission Process
Upon Acceptance
At The Conference

Submission Process
Should I send video documentation of my piece?

Yes, if at all possible. Video documentation is highly recommended. Time-based documentation is the best way to illustrate how conference attendees will actually experience your project. We may also use the video in publicity for the XR Program.

May I submit my unfinished work as a "work in progress" if it is not complete by the submission deadline?

A work in progress may be submitted if it represents a large portion of the final version. Just a video prototype is not enough. A functional prototype must be demonstrated before the deadline. Please explain in detail what additions will be made prior to the installation on the extended abstract. You will need to convince the reviewers that your work will be ready for demonstration in time for the conference.

I am having trouble uploading the high-resolution digital image required for online submission. What should I do?

If, due to bandwidth restrictions, you cannot upload a high-resolution image or supplemental movies, please instead upload a lower-resolution version. If we need to include a higher-resolution version for reviewers' review or publication stills, we will contact you to make arrangements.

My email address will be changing soon. How can I notify you of the update?

You will be able to change your email address in the SIGGRAPH Asia Submission System.

I have completed the online submission forms, but the system still allows me to edit my account. Am I done?

Yes. But you are allowed to edit your online submission account until the deadline: 15 July 2021, 23:59 UTC/GMT.

Can I submit a paper, brief, poster, or other work in addition to my XR proposal? Can I submit an XR proposal if the work has already been presented at a previous SIGGRAPH conference?

Yes. For instance, you could submit a demonstration based on a paper published at a previous SIGGRAPH conference. Be sure to list these related submissions in your proposal and make clear how your XR proposal expands on and is different from these.

Can I submit the same piece to multiple programs?

No. Submit your work to the program you feel is most appropriate.

Back to FAQs links

Upon Acceptance

Given the current climate, we would like to assure all submitters that your works (if they are accepted) will still be published in the Digital Library regardless of whether the physical event will be able to take place. We are optimistic and are currently planning towards a physical event in Tokyo, Japan. However, in event that the virus situation does not improve and/or travel restrictions are still in place, we will make it possible for you to present your work virtually.

What will SIGGRAPH Asia support if the project is accepted?
  • Event Management
  • Venue design and basic infrastructure
  • Exhibition Design including a poster description of your accepted work
  • Basic facilities *Based on approval and discussion between Organizers & Submitters (E.g., General pedestal, lighting, electricity, wi-fi, projectors, screens, monitors)
  • Promotion
What will the Submitter be responsible for?
  • Carrying in, setting up, and taking down of artworks
  • Preparation of necessary equipment
  • Transportation (if necessary)
  • Travel and accommodation expenses
  • Operation and management of the work during the period
Will SIGGRAPH Asia pay for shipping and framing?

No, you are responsible for framing (NO glass, please), crating, shipping, and in-transit insurance. You must pack and ship your works professionally and safely. Packing peanuts are NOT acceptable. Work that arrives at SIGGRAPH Asia 2021 in substandard condition may be pulled from the show.

Audio Visual

You will be responsible for your own Audio-Visual equipment. An AV rental list will be provided to you upon acceptance.

I have an over-sized work that I just want push-pinned to the wall. Is this acceptable?

No. Your work must be professionally framed. We reserve the right to pull works that are not framed to our specifications.

Can I display a visual poster of my work on it in the exhibit?

Yes. Each submitter will be encouraged to send or bring 4.25-cm x 6-cm color postcards with an image of the work on the front and information about the piece on the back. These will be displayed and available for attendees (so bring plenty). No commercial promotional materials will be allowed. We will display a poster description of your accepted work at the booth.

Will SIGGRAPH Asia pay for any duty or taxes on international shipments?

No. You are responsible for all import and export expenses.

Does SIGGRAPH Asia have funding to ship my equipment to the conference?

No. Many submitters who have participated in previous SIGGRAPH and SIGGRAPH Asia XR programs have received funding from local organizations or national councils. We will be happy to provide a letter of reference should you require it.

Back to FAQs links

At The Conference
If I show my work at SIGGRAPH Asia, will I have to watch my equipment?

Yes. You will need to have enough people to watch your installation if it requires monitoring.

Do I need to install my own work?

We will work closely with you to ensure proper and effective installation of your work. Exhibition installation will be accomplished by professionals, although complex works will need your individual participation, so you should plan to arrive early to assist with the installation.

Will SIGGRAPH Asia pay for my accommodations and travel expenses?

No. You are responsible for your own expenses.

Back to FAQs links

All deadlines are 23:59 UTC/GMT.

15 July 2021
Submission Deadline

July - August 2021
Jury Reviews

6 September 2021
Acceptance Notification

1 October 2021
Final Materials Due

15 - 17 December 2021
SIGGRAPH Asia 2021 Exhibition Days

14 - 17 December 2021
SIGGRAPH Asia 2021 Event Days

*Publications content will be available in the ACM Digital Library one week prior to the conference.

ACM SIGGRAPH strives to create a welcoming and nurturing community for everyone working in computer graphics and interactive techniques independent of gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, religion, country of origin, or abilities. Work submitted to this program should be in alignment with these values.

For any submission to an ACM SIGGRAPH conference or Standing Committee activity, the person in charge (PIC) of the program should be aware of and sensitive to potential issues pertaining to the ACM SIGGRAPH values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. If an issue is identified, then the authors of the submission shall be asked to modify their submission to resolve the issue before acceptance. If the PIC is unsure if there is an issue, then they should contact the Chair of the DEI Committee for advice.