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ABOUT ME

Meet Sébastien Deguy

Sébastien Deguy serves as Vice President of 3D & Immersive at Adobe, where he leads initiatives combining Adobe's creative tools with Substance 3D technology. In 2001, he founded Allegorithmic, developing the revolutionary Substance 3D suite for material authoring and texturing. He led the company for 17 years until its acquisition by Adobe in 2019.

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His work fundamentally changed visual effects in film production. The Substance 3D tools proved essential in creating effects for major films, including "Spider-Man: No Way Home," "Dune," and "Blade Runner 2049." In 2023, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored Deguy and his team with a Scientific and Technical Academy Award for the development of Substance Designer and the Substance Engine, recognizing their transformative impact on movie visual effects and animation.

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The roots of Substance technology trace back to Deguy's computer science PhD thesis at Université d'Auvergne, where he developed mathematical models for complex texture generation. This academic foundation became the cornerstone for professional 3D material creation tools now used throughout the entertainment industry. In 2023, his team's contributions were further recognized with an Emmy Award.

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Beyond his technological achievements, Deguy is a multifaceted creative. He produces music, collaborating with renowned artists including Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. His upcoming double album uniquely blends hip-hop with orchestral compositions. As an animator and writer, he continues to explore new narrative forms and creative expressions.

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Born in France's rural Auvergne region, Deguy's journey from mathematics student to influential tech executive exemplifies his philosophy of blending seemingly opposite forces—algorithmic precision and artistic expression—as reflected in the name "Allegorithmic" itself. Despite his success, he remains connected to his roots and focused on empowering other creators.

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Today, Deguy continues to push boundaries at Adobe, making professional 3D creation technology accessible to artists worldwide while maintaining his belief that tools should serve creative expression rather than constrain it.

Certifications

  • Stanford Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate (2014-2017)

  • Gamification Certification from Coursera (2014)

  • Introduction to Computational Arts: Processing from Coursera (2014)

Qualifications

  • PhD in Computer Science from Université d'Auvergne (1998-2001)

  • Stanford University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program (2014-2017)

  • Technical Achievement Academy Award (2023)

  • Expert in 3D texturing and material authoring

  • 20+ years experience in computer graphics and software development

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