Origin

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).