Leadership & Outreach

Candid presentation on creativity and AI and how to find a design job I gave to the 2025 Masters in Computer Human Interaction + Design at the University of Washington

Specific real-world honed recommendations for design challenges that occur in XR (Virtual Reality).  Sponsored by the XRA (Extended Reality Association) at UW

• YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLezQ8iFqR_EfmOQzpn0F028u7rxyKW0RN

• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/uwvra 

A condensed deck I use when chatting about the best ways to conduct a search for a design job.

In this episode, we explore Adobe’s use of generative AI to democratize 3D creation, turning simple guides into 3D images. We also touch on ethical concerns and future trends like 3D/2D video convergence, highlighting the importance of control and meaningful work in AI.

• Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube

Invited fireside chat with Christopher Lafayette about how designers can approach finding a job in our current climate of AI and uncertainty.

I participated in a small, focused workshop on policy around safety, privacy, equity for XR efforts, hosted at SIGCHI 2024.

• The current limitations and future opportunities in GenAI

• The approach creatives should have to improve their proficiency with gen AI tools

•  The importance and implications of diversity and equity in generative AI

• How AI will enhance and complement XR experiences

Over the course of two days, I worked with several very talented artists to see how they could bring their own vision to new generative AI tools from Adobe.  Make It with Generative AI workshop in September 2023 explored artistry, creativity, and co-creation with #AdobeFirefly.

I was a panelist in July 2023 for the University of Washington MHCI+D program where I highlighted practical ways to go about a job search in the design field, geared toward brand-new designers.

Talk I gave in June 2023 for the Puget Sound SIGCHI (Special Interest Group in Computer Human Interaction) group on how immersive (primarily VR) design is very different than mobile and desktop design.

"If you can’t tell already, Daniel’s design focus is XR design, which stands for “extended reality.” This is an umbrella term that covers VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), and MR (Mixed reality). Thus, I was very excited to learn more about XR design from him. And man did I learn a ton. We talked about how he got into XR design, the biggest challenges designers in XR are solving, how to get into immersive design, and a ton of related topics."

A presentation I gave in May 2022 to a group of developers and builders who were interested in creating engaging places in the metaverse, e.g. Horizon Worlds.
The focus was on the Integrity features in Horizon Worlds, both from the enforcement and inclusion point-of-view, with an eye toward how creators can be empowered to make positive communities. Features covered included Mute, Block, Poll-to-Remove, and Guide Warnings.

Most Tuesdays I co-host the beginners session for the Horizon Worlds Q&A. This is an informal session where anyone can ask anything about Horizon: building, scripting, promotion, and collaboration.

I was to participate in a panel and workshop, " MAKING SENSE OF CONNECTION: Virtual, physical, and somewhere in between" as part of a pilot program at Seattle's Cornish College, put on hiatus due to COVID. 

I helped a group of enthusiastic college students define, refine, and present their ideas for new VR and AR apps, sponsored by Exxon Mobile.

Hosted within Ion XR Lab, the XR Showdown™ involves college students creating VR/AR/MR simulations and games for enterprise use, followed by a review by potential employers — all featured in a livestream TV show. 

A group discussion explored developments in virtual reality and augmented reality, looking at where we’re going, and how new directions are affecting VR and AR as art and storytelling.

I had an engaging conversation with the always insightful Kent Bye on his Voices of VR podcast. We chat about ethical considerations in AR/VR, social VR, and new ways of thinking about design.

I'm on a panel with representatives from Oculus, Microsoft, and HTC at XRDC 2019 where I spoke about how to find a balance between encouraging exciting online experiences and ensuring safe spaces.

Through HTC's participation in the XR Association I am helping to craft new guidelines that specifically encourage:

• Connections between people

• A sense of shared outcomes and stakes

• A place and collection of activities that help all participants feel invested in outcomes for other participants

In May of 2019 I participated in a spirited panel on ethics and immersive technologies. I presented my emerging viewpoints on the trade-offs between frameworks and guidelines and discussed the following issues:

• Dehumanization and detachment vs. compassion and mindfulness

• Inequity (bias)

• AI enabled invasion

• Desensitization

• Gaming the human condition

• Technology dependence 

As the industry overcomes technical hurdles of Augmented and Virtual Reality, it’s grappling with an existential crisis: how to remain ethical in the race to be first with new technologies. Dan Robbins, of industry frontrunner HTC, dives into the technical and the ethical advances as 5G wireless prepares to cut the cord for high-end VR.

So I made it into a video game!

Undead Labs is in the same building as HTC and a few months back I volunteered to have my head scanned so they could use me as a background character in their new zombie game.

Well it turns out that I am now starring in the trailer. I'm curious to find out how I figure in the actual game. ;-)

In March of 2019 I participated in a panel at the University of Washington CoMotion Headquarters on various aspects of the XR industry. My own focus was on inclusion and interaction design issues.

In conjunction with Seattle Startup Week, the Salon hosted a UX Design Panel for Startups! UX designers, strategists and VR/AR/MR/XR startup founders discussed how UX methodologies made innovative ideas into viable businesses. 

I talked about the the contrasts and similarities between my experiences at a ten person mobile VR startup, Visual Vocal, and at an industry leader, HTC - VIVE.