Graphonomics
The term
graphonomics was
coined in 1982. It intends to capture the multidisciplinary
and interdisciplinary nature of the
entire research field. It denotes the scientific and technological
effort involved in identifying relationships between the
planning and generation of handwriting and drawing movements,
the resulting spatial traces of writing and drawing instruments
(either conventional or electronic), and the dynamic features
of these traces. Although the term graphonomics is narrowly
defined, the International Graphonomics Society
(IGS) includes
researchers involved in all aspects of perceptual-motor
tasks (see also research fields).
Aims of the IGS
The general aims of the IGS are the advancement of research
in the field of graphonomics. These aims include an exchange
of views and expertise, joint-project research, and the
dissemination and application of knowledge wherever appropriate.
Research Fields
The IGS attracts investigators in a broad array of research
fields. Members of IGS have a diverse research focus in fields
which are interested in the understanding of human performance,
their neurological and developmental basis, as well as computational
models to generate and recognize graphic behavior. On the
applied side, the IGS include fields involved in instruction
methods of handwriting, for educational and remediational
purposes, and the automatic processing of handwriting and
drawing features, both on-line and off-line, in order to
automatically classify specimens of handwriting for specific
purposes as used in paleography, security and police work.
The latter applications involve studies on handwriting perception
and pattern recognition. Examples of the latter applications
can be found in human-machine interfaces such as the electronic
pen pad and automatic signature verification equipment.
The History of the IGS
In the early 80s interest into handwriting and drawing research
boomed. During the second international graphonomics conference
in 1985, the decision was made to establish the International
Graphonomics Society (IGS). This newly formed organization
was aimed to facilitate the organization of conferences and
workshops and the publication of their proceedings, to stimulate
communication and research contacts by any other means, the
transmission of information through a regular bulletin (BIGS),
an electronic list (Scrib-L) and the maintenance of a graphonomics
research directory. The IGS has the status of a legal non-profit
organization. It was established as a foundation ('stichting')
under the law of the Netherlands on January 30th, 1987. Since
1985, the IGS has continually held a conference every other
year (See Conferences). Each conference has resulted in several
issues or books representing the latest state of the art
(See Publications).
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