About
LabanLab — the Creative Intelligence and Synergy (CIS) Lab at HKUST (Guangzhou) — is a leading academic research laboratory dedicated to exploring the frontiers of creative AI. Directed by Dr. Zeyu Wang, the lab brings together researchers from computer graphics, human-computer interaction (HCI), and artificial intelligence to develop novel algorithms and systems that empower digital content creation. The lab's research spans a broad set of cutting-edge topics including computational sketching, VR/AR/XR immersive environments, generative techniques, and multimodal creativity tools. Its work has direct applications in art, design, perception science, and the preservation of cultural heritage. LabanLab has a strong publication record at top-tier venues including SIGGRAPH, CVPR, ICCV, ICLR, CHI, UIST, TOG, and IEEE TVCG. Recent projects include AniCraft (physical proxies for 3D character animation in mixed reality), DistanciAR (site-specific AR authoring for remote environments), Ciallo (GPU-accelerated vector brush stroke rendering), and interactive line drawing synthesis from 3D models. The lab is ideal for researchers, students, designers, and developers interested in the intersection of AI and creative computing, offering publicly accessible research outputs and publications for the global academic and creative community.
Key Features
- Generative AI Research: Develops novel generative techniques for digital content creation including sketching, 3D animation, and interactive drawing synthesis.
- VR/AR/XR Innovation: Pioneers immersive and mixed reality systems such as AniCraft and DistanciAR for creative prototyping and site-specific AR experiences.
- GPU-Accelerated Graphics: Advances real-time rendering technologies, exemplified by Ciallo — a GPU-accelerated vector brush stroke rendering system.
- Top-Tier Publications: Consistently publishes at premier venues including SIGGRAPH, CVPR, ICCV, CHI, UIST, ICLR, TOG, and IEEE TVCG.
- Multimodal Creativity Tools: Explores the intersection of AI and human creativity across modalities including visual art, design, perception, and cultural heritage applications.
Use Cases
- Academic researchers studying generative AI and computational creativity can reference CIS Lab publications for state-of-the-art methodologies.
- Designers and artists exploring AI-assisted creative tools can draw inspiration from the lab's projects in sketching, animation, and multimodal creativity.
- Developers building VR/AR applications can study DistanciAR and AniCraft as research prototypes for site-specific and mixed reality experiences.
- Students in computer science, HCI, or digital arts programs can use the lab's papers as learning resources for advanced topics in creative computing.
- Cultural heritage institutions can explore the lab's research on AI-driven preservation and digitization techniques for historical artifacts and art.
Pros
- World-Class Research Output: Publishes regularly at the most prestigious venues in AI, computer graphics, and HCI, providing freely accessible, high-impact academic work.
- Broad Creative AI Coverage: Covers a wide range of creative AI topics — from sketching and generative models to VR/AR and cultural heritage — making it a rich resource for diverse interests.
- Freely Accessible Publications: Research papers and project overviews are publicly available, enabling students, academics, and practitioners to leverage the lab's findings at no cost.
Cons
- Academic Focus Only: As a university research lab, it does not offer commercial software products or end-user tools directly deployable in production environments.
- Limited Practical Tooling: Most outputs are research prototypes or papers rather than polished, maintained software — requiring technical expertise to implement or reproduce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LabanLab (CIS Lab)?
LabanLab is the Creative Intelligence and Synergy (CIS) Lab at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), a research laboratory led by Dr. Zeyu Wang that investigates AI, computer graphics, and human-computer interaction for creative applications.
What research topics does the lab focus on?
The lab's current research topics include computational sketching, VR/AR/XR experiences, generative AI techniques, and multimodal creativity, with applications in art, design, visual perception, and cultural heritage preservation.
Where does the lab publish its research?
The CIS Lab publishes at top-tier venues including ACM SIGGRAPH, CVPR, ICCV, ICLR, CHI, UIST, ACM TOG, and IEEE TVCG.
Is the lab's research freely available?
Yes, publications and project details are publicly accessible through the lab's website, allowing anyone to read and reference their research findings.
Who can benefit from following LabanLab's work?
Researchers, graduate students, designers, and developers working in creative AI, computer graphics, HCI, or XR will find the lab's publications and projects highly relevant and informative.
