Alvy Ray Smith

Alvy Ray Smith is a renowned speaker and industry expert in the field of computer graphics and digital innovation. With an impressive background that includes co-founding Pixar and Altamira, and serving as the first director of computer graphics at Lucasfilm, Alvy Ray Smith has been at the forefront of groundbreaking technological advancements.

During his tenure at Lucasfilm, Alvy Ray Smith played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Computer Graphics Lab at the New York Institute of Technology. He later became the First Graphics Fellow at Microsoft and was involved in Xerox PARC's pioneering work on personal computers, the internet, and early color pixel technologies.

Alvy Ray Smith's contributions to the field have been recognized with two technical Academy Awards. He received these prestigious accolades for his pioneering work on the alpha channel and digital paint systems. He also holds four patents and has published extensively in theoretical computer science and computer graphics.

Notable achievements in Alvy Ray Smith's career include inventing the first full-color paint program, co-inventing the alpha channel, and developing the HSV (or HSB) color transform. He directed the Genesis Demo in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and played a key role in hiring and directing John Lasseter in The Adventures of André & Wally B.

Furthermore, Alvy Ray Smith was instrumental in proposing and negotiating the Academy Award-winning Disney computer animation production system, CAPS. As a Regent, he played a crucial role in initiating the Visible Human Project at the National Library of Medicine. He also served as a star witness in a trial that successfully invalidated five patents threatening Adobe Photoshop.

In addition to his technical expertise, Alvy Ray Smith holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University and honorary doctorates from New Mexico State University and the New York Institute of Technology. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists. He is also a founding member of the Siggraph Academy.

Alvy Ray Smith's passion for art and creativity extends beyond technology. He is the creator or co-creator of various computer artworks, including Sunstone, which is part of the collection at New York's Museum of Modern Art. He has recently published a book, titled "A Biography of the Pixel," in collaboration with MIT Press (released on 3 Aug 2021).

Currently, Alvy Ray Smith serves as an advisor to Baobab Studios, an award-winning virtual reality startup based in Silicon Valley. With his vast knowledge and experience, he continues to inspire audiences with his engaging presentations and insightful perspectives on the future of technology and digital art.