Member Profile: Takahito Tejima
1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
I’m currently working at Polyphony Digital on the Gran Turismo series, mainly focusing on production pipelines and development environments.
I’ve been involved in the computer graphics industry for over 35 years, including my amateur days. In the past, I worked in the Studio Tools department at Pixar Animation Studios, where I contributed to the development of animation tools and technologies such as Presto, OpenSubdiv, and Hydra.
2. What was your first job?
My first job was at Namco in 1996, developing arcade games. We were making racing games and other titles using real-time 3D graphics hardware, which was still quite rare at the time.
We even experimented with online rankings by connecting arcades across Japan using dial-up internet connections!
3. Where did you complete your formal education?
I studied quantum chemistry at the Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University. My research involved improving FORTRAN programs for solving the Schrödinger equation and performing theoretical calculations of NMR chemical shifts.
I had been teaching myself programming on 8-bit computers since childhood, but it was at university that I first encountered workstations like the Silicon Graphics IRIS. That’s when I completely fell in love with 3D computer graphics.
4. How did you first get involved with ACM SIGGRAPH?
I believe my first SIGGRAPH was in New Orleans in 2000. At the time, I was working on Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec for the PlayStation 2, and I went there looking for new technologies and ideas.
It was also my first trip to the United States, so it left a strong impression on me.
I still remember Sony Computer Entertainment demonstrating the GS Cube and Alias|wavefront announced Maya for Mac that year.
5. What is your favorite memory of a SIGGRAPH conference?
I have so many wonderful memories from SIGGRAPH and SIGGRAPH Asia, but the most unforgettable one has to be Real-Time Live! at SIGGRAPH Asia 2024 in Tokyo.
I had the honor of serving as Program Chair. We received a record number of submissions, went through the selection process, held countless meetings with the participating teams, rehearsed every night during the conference, and even created some special entertainment to make the show more exciting. There was so much going on. After it was all over, I felt completely drained for quite a while.
But everyone involved was incredibly supportive and collaborative, and I built wonderful relationships that have continued long after the event. Those friendships are my greatest treasure.
6. Describe a project that you would like to share with the ACM SIGGRAPH community.
Of course, it has to be “A Wearable Shader Ball,” which I created for Real-Time Live! at SIGGRAPH Asia 2024.
I also had the opportunity to give a talk about it at DigiPro 2026, and the presentation is now available in the ACM Digital Library. (Thanks to open access!)
Please check it out!
7. If you could have dinner with one living or non-living person, who would it be and why?
If I could have dinner with anyone, I’d choose myself at 18. That was the year I left my parents’ home and started living on my own in Kyoto. I spent almost every day playing mahjong, but honestly, it was one of the happiest times of my life. I stayed over at friends’ places, worked part-time jobs, went on dates, went camping… and maybe studied a little, too.
Over dinner, I’d tell him to enjoy every moment, because those days go by fast. But I’d also give him one piece of serious advice: “Go to your German classes. Trust me, you’re going to struggle to get that credit.”
8. What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’m incredibly good at falling asleep. Once I lie down in bed, I’m usually asleep in less than a minute!
9. From which single individual have you learned the most in your life? What did they teach you?
I’ve learned so much from so many people throughout my life that it’s really difficult to choose just one.
But Kazunori Yamauchi, the founder of Polyphony Digital, whom I still work with today, has taught me and continues to teach me not only about leadership and caring for people, but also something fundamental: how to create real value and deliver it to users.
Being able to turn those ideas into actual products and release them into the world as part of my job is something that makes me truly happy.
10. Is there someone in particular who has influenced your decision to work with ACM SIGGRAPH?
All the wonderful leaders and contributors I’ve met through SIGGRAPH and SIGGRAPH Asia over the years.
Is that too boring an answer?
Well, let me think… Ken Anjyo is definitely one of the people who got me involved in all this. (And yes, I’m very grateful to him!)
11. What can you point to in your career as your proudest moment?
When I see children I’ve never met enjoying games or movies that I helped create!
There’s nothing more rewarding than that.
And when they tell me they want to do this kind of work themselves someday, that makes me even happier!