Intro

Hi! I'm Kojo. I consider myself a developer/designer with extensive experience in creative technologies, specializing in XR, interactive experiences, education, and games across various industries and disciplines. Proficient in both development and design, with a strong foundation in AR/VR, spatial computing, and interactive storytelling.

Featured Projects

Experience

Senior R&D Software Engineer [XR, Spatial Journalism]

November 2023 - Present

The New York Times (rd.nytimes.com)

New York City, NY (Remote)

Spearheaded the development of immersive MR storytelling/Spatial Journalism on the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3, incorporating 3D models, Gaussian splats, spatial videos, spatial audio, and traditional text.

Engineered novel interactions using inputs like Eye Gaze and Pinch Gesture, enhancing user engagement on various headsets.

Developed WebXR content utilizing Three.js, React, and React Three Fiber, pushing the boundaries of interactive web experiences.

Senior R&D Software Engineer [XR, Spatial Journalism]

November 2023 - Present

The New York Times (rd.nytimes.com)

New York City, NY (Remote)

Spearheaded the development of immersive MR storytelling/Spatial Journalism on the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3, incorporating 3D models, Gaussian splats, spatial videos, spatial audio, and traditional text.

Engineered novel interactions using inputs like Eye Gaze and Pinch Gesture, enhancing user engagement on various headsets.

Developed WebXR content utilizing Three.js, React, and React Three Fiber, pushing the boundaries of interactive web experiences.

Senior R&D Software Engineer [XR, Spatial Journalism]

November 2023 - Present

The New York Times (rd.nytimes.com)

New York City, NY (Remote)

Spearheaded the development of immersive MR storytelling/Spatial Journalism on the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3, incorporating 3D models, Gaussian splats, spatial videos, spatial audio, and traditional text.

Engineered novel interactions using inputs like Eye Gaze and Pinch Gesture, enhancing user engagement on various headsets.

Developed WebXR content utilizing Three.js, React, and React Three Fiber, pushing the boundaries of interactive web experiences.

Senior R&D Software Engineer [XR, Spatial Journalism]

November 2023 - Present

The New York Times (rd.nytimes.com)

New York City, NY (Remote)

Spearheaded the development of immersive MR storytelling/Spatial Journalism on the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3, incorporating 3D models, Gaussian Splats, spatial videos, spatial audio, and traditional text.

Engineered novel interactions using inputs like Eye Gaze and Pinch Gesture, enhancing user engagement on various headsets.

Developed WebXR content utilizing Three.js, React, and React Three Fiber, pushing the boundaries of interactive web experiences.

Senior Software Engineer/Designer [XR, Interactive Experiences]

Nov 2022 - Nov 2023

The Walt Disney Studios (studiolab.disney.com)

Burbank, California

Engineered the front-end for Avatar 2’s 'Keep Our Oceans Amazing' Interactive Creature Creator Experience in Unity, contributing to a successful global campaign.

Developed an engaging iOS AR experience for Pixar’s Turning Red, showcasing the potential of AR in entertainment.

Created a Projection Mapping Interactive Experience for Disney’s The Little Mermaid and The Haunted Mansion using TouchDesigner and Unreal Engine.

Designed and implemented internal prototypes using Unity, Unreal, Three.js, 8th Wall, Niantic ARDK, and TouchDesigner

Senior Software Engineer/Designer [XR, Interactive Experiences]

Nov 2022 - Nov 2023

The Walt Disney Studios

Burbank, California

Engineered the front-end for Avatar 2’s 'Keep Our Oceans Amazing' Interactive Creature Creator Experience in Unity, contributing to a successful global campaign.

Developed an engaging iOS AR experience for Pixar’s Turning Red, showcasing the potential of AR in entertainment.

Designed and implemented internal prototypes using Unity, Unreal, Three.js, 8th Wall, Niantic ARDK, and TouchDesigner

Created a Projection Mapping Interactive Experience for Disney’s The Little Mermaid and The Haunted Mansion using TouchDesigner and Unreal Engine.

Senior Software Engineer/Designer [XR, Interactive Experiences]

Nov 2022 - Nov 2023

The Walt Disney Studios (studiolab.disney.com)

Burbank, California

Engineered the front-end for Avatar 2’s 'Keep Our Oceans Amazing' Interactive Creature Creator Experience in Unity, contributing to a successful global campaign.

Developed an engaging iOS AR experience for Pixar’s Turning Red, showcasing the potential of AR in entertainment.

Created a Projection Mapping Interactive Experience for Disney’s The Little Mermaid and The Haunted Mansion using TouchDesigner and Unreal Engine.

Designed and implemented internal prototypes using Unity, Unreal, Three.js, 8th Wall, Niantic ARDK, and TouchDesigner

Senior Software Engineer/Designer [XR, Interactive Experiences]

Nov 2022 - Nov 2023

The Walt Disney Studios (studiolab.disney.com)

Burbank, California

Engineered the front-end for Avatar 2’s 'Keep Our Oceans Amazing' Interactive Creature Creator Experience in Unity, contributing to a successful global campaign.

Developed an engaging iOS AR experience for Pixar’s Turning Red, showcasing the potential of AR in entertainment.

Created a Projection Mapping Interactive Experience for Disney’s The Little Mermaid and The Haunted Mansion using TouchDesigner and Unreal Engine.

Designed and implemented internal prototypes using Unity, Unreal, Three.js, 8th Wall, Niantic ARDK, and TouchDesigner

Senior Augmented Reality Developer, Encore Music Technologies

Oct 2020 - March 2022

Encore (www.clapforencore)

Los Angeles, California

One of the leads for the development of a Unity + iOS creator tool for artists, enabling them to design virtual AR sets for live and streamed performances, featuring persistent AR content, visual effects, scene changes, and event triggers.

Senior Augmented Reality Developer, Encore Music Technologies

Oct 2020 - March 2022

Encore (www.clapforencore)

Los Angeles, California

One of the leads for the development of a Unity + iOS creator tool for artists, enabling them to design virtual AR sets for live and streamed performances, featuring persistent AR content, visual effects, scene changes, and event triggers.

Senior Augmented Reality Developer, Encore Music Technologies

Oct 2020 - March 2022

Encore (www.clapforencore)

Los Angeles, California

One of the leads for the development of a Unity + iOS creator tool for artists, enabling them to design virtual AR sets for live and streamed performances, featuring persistent AR content, visual effects, scene changes, and event triggers.

Senior Augmented Reality Developer, Encore Music Technologies

Oct 2020 - March 2022

Encore (www.clapforencore)

Los Angeles, California

One of the leads for the development of a Unity + iOS creator tool for artists, enabling them to design virtual AR sets for live and streamed performances, featuring persistent AR content, visual effects, scene changes, and event triggers.

XR Developer Freelancer

August 2020 - Sept 2020

Nexus Studios (nexusstudios.com)

Los Angeles, California (Remote)

Assisted in the development of a Meta project developing mixed reality use cases for home and outdoor environments - expanding the possibilities of MR in everyday life.

XR Developer Freelancer

August 2020 - Sept 2020

Nexus Studios (nexusstudios.com)

Los Angeles, California (Remote)

Assisted in the development of a Meta project developing mixed reality use cases for home and outdoor environments - expanding the possibilities of MR in everyday life.

XR Developer Freelancer

August 2020 - Sept 2020

Nexus Studios (nexusstudios.com)

Los Angeles, California (Remote)

Assisted in the development of a Meta project developing mixed reality use cases for home and outdoor environments - expanding the possibilities of MR in everyday life.

XR Developer Freelancer

August 2020 - Sept 2020

Nexus Studios (nexusstudios.com)

Los Angeles, California (Remote)

Assisted in the development of a Meta project developing mixed reality use cases for home and outdoor environments - expanding the possibilities of MR in everyday life.

XR Developer Freelancer

July 2020 - August 2020

Left Field Labs (www.leftfieldlabs.com)

Los Angeles, CA (Remote)

Contributed to the development of a VR, Telepresence, Virtual Production, and Live Streaming project at Left Field Labs, exploring new frontiers in remote interaction.

XR Developer Freelancer

July 2020 - August 2020

Left Field Labs (www.leftfieldlabs.com)

Los Angeles, CA (Remote)

Contributed to the development of a VR, Telepresence, Virtual Production, and Live Streaming project at Left Field Labs, exploring new frontiers in remote interaction.

XR Developer Freelancer

July 2020 - August 2020

Left Field Labs (www.leftfieldlabs.com)

Los Angeles, CA (Remote)

Contributed to the development of a VR, Telepresence, Virtual Production, and Live Streaming project at Left Field Labs, exploring new frontiers in remote interaction.

XR Developer Freelancer

July 2020 - August 2020

Left Field Labs (www.leftfieldlabs.com)

Los Angeles, CA (Remote)

Contributed to the development of a VR, Telepresence, Virtual Production, and Live Streaming project at Left Field Labs, exploring new frontiers in remote interaction.

Senior R&D XR Developer

July 2019 - June 2020

Kinemagic (www.kinemagic.com)

New Orleans, LA

Collaborated on the development of a VR Training Tool for Petroleum Engineers, integrating IIoT and Digital Twins to enhance real-world simulations.

Developed POCs for persistent AR content, AR Anchors, and IIoT simulations within game engines, demonstrating the potential of XR in industrial applications.

Senior R&D XR Developer

July 2019 - June 2020

Kinemagic (www.kinemagic.com)

New Orleans, LA

Collaborated on the development of a VR Training Tool for Petroleum Engineers, integrating IIoT and Digital Twins to enhance real-world simulations.

Developed POCs for persistent AR content, AR Anchors, and IIoT simulations within game engines, demonstrating the potential of XR in industrial applications.

Senior R&D XR Developer

July 2019 - June 2020

Kinemagic (www.kinemagic.com)

New Orleans, LA

Collaborated on the development of a VR Training Tool for Petroleum Engineers, integrating IIoT and Digital Twins to enhance real-world simulations.

Developed POCs for persistent AR content, AR Anchors, and IIoT simulations within game engines, demonstrating the potential of XR in industrial applications.

Senior R&D XR Developer

July 2019 - June 2020

Kinemagic (www.kinemagic.com)

New Orleans, LA

Collaborated on the development of a VR Training Tool for Petroleum Engineers, integrating IIoT and Digital Twins to enhance real-world simulations.

Developed POCs for persistent AR content, AR Anchors, and IIoT simulations within game engines, demonstrating the potential of XR in industrial applications.

Adjunct Professor, Department of Interactive Media

Jan 2019 - June 2019

University of Miami (www.interactive.miami.edu)

Coral Gables, Florida

Taught graduate and undergraduate designers the fundamentals of virtual world development in XR, focusing on level design and deployment across Meta Quest and ML1 headsets.

Adjunct Professor, Department of Interactive Media

Jan 2019 - June 2019

University of Miami (www.interactive.miami.edu)

Coral Gables, Florida

Taught graduate and undergraduate designers the fundamentals of virtual world development in XR, focusing on level design and deployment across Meta Quest and ML1 headsets.

Adjunct Professor, Department of Interactive Media

Jan 2019 - June 2019

University of Miami (www.interactive.miami.edu)

Coral Gables, Florida

Taught graduate and undergraduate designers the fundamentals of virtual world development in XR, focusing on level design and deployment across Meta Quest and ML1 headsets.

Adjunct Professor, Department of Interactive Media

Jan 2019 - June 2019

University of Miami (www.interactive.miami.edu)

Coral Gables, Florida

Taught graduate and undergraduate designers the fundamentals of virtual world development in XR, focusing on level design and deployment across Meta Quest and ML1 headsets.

Interactive Visual Designer / Interaction Prototyper [UI/UX Team]

Dec 2015 - June 2019

Magic Leap (www.magicleap.com)

Plantation, Florida

Created and prototyped user experiences for ML1 hardware, contributing to the development of Magic Leap OS, game experiences, and the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE).

Explored MR applications, including the reimagining of web experiences in mixed reality, driving innovation in the user interface and experience design.

Interactive Visual Designer / Interaction Prototyper [UI/UX Team]

Dec 2015 - June 2019

Magic Leap (www.magicleap.com)

Plantation, Florida

Created and prototyped user experiences for ML1 hardware, contributing to the development of Magic Leap OS, game experiences, and the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE).

Explored MR applications, including the reimagining of web experiences in mixed reality, driving innovation in the user interface and experience design.

Interactive Visual Designer / Interaction Prototyper [UI/UX Team]

Dec 2015 - June 2019

Magic Leap (www.magicleap.com)

Plantation, Florida

Created and prototyped user experiences for ML1 hardware, contributing to the development of Magic Leap OS, game experiences, and the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE).

Explored MR applications, including the reimagining of web experiences in mixed reality, driving innovation in the user interface and experience design.

Interactive Visual Designer / Interaction Prototyper [UI/UX Team]

Dec 2015 - June 2019

Magic Leap (www.magicleap.com)

Plantation, Florida

Created and prototyped user experiences for ML1 hardware, contributing to the development of Magic Leap OS, game experiences, and the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE).

Explored MR applications, including the reimagining of web experiences in mixed reality, driving innovation in the user interface and experience design.

Creative Technologist / Unity Developer

January 2014 - December 2015

Two Bit Circus (www.twobitcircus.com)

Los Angeles, California

Developed a variety of experiences bridging physical and digital interfaces, including VR, escape rooms, and mobile/tablet-based games, enhancing entertainment experiences.

Creative Technologist / Unity Developer

January 2014 - December 2015

Two Bit Circus (www.twobitcircus.com)

Los Angeles, California

Developed a variety of experiences bridging physical and digital interfaces, including VR, escape rooms, and mobile/tablet-based games, enhancing entertainment experiences.

Creative Technologist / Unity Developer

January 2014 - December 2015

Two Bit Circus (www.twobitcircus.com)

Los Angeles, California

Developed a variety of experiences bridging physical and digital interfaces, including VR, escape rooms, and mobile/tablet-based games, enhancing entertainment experiences.

Creative Technologist / Unity Developer

January 2014 - December 2015

Two Bit Circus (www.twobitcircus.com)

Los Angeles, California

Developed a variety of experiences bridging physical and digital interfaces, including VR, escape rooms, and mobile/tablet-based games, enhancing entertainment experiences.

Education

Masters of Professional Studies (MPS), Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP)

2013

New York University

New York City, NY

Specialized in creative technologies which included physical computing, creative coding, computer graphics, interactive experiences, game engines, game design, etc.

Masters of Professional Studies (MPS), Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP)

2013

New York University

New York City, NY

Specialized in creative technologies which included physical computing, creative coding, computer graphics, interactive experiences, game engines, game design, etc.

Masters of Professional Studies (MPS), Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP)

2013

New York University

New York City, NY

Specialized in creative technologies which included physical computing, creative coding, computer graphics, interactive experiences, game engines, game design, etc.

Masters of Professional Studies (MPS), Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP)

2013

New York University

New York City, NY

Specialized in creative technologies which included physical computing, creative coding, computer graphics, interactive experiences, game engines, game design, etc.

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

2005

University of Houston, Main Campus

Houston, TX

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

2005

University of Houston, Main Campus

Houston, TX

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

2005

University of Houston, Main Campus

Houston, TX

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

2005

University of Houston, Main Campus

Houston, TX

Bachelor of Arts, Economics

2002

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Bachelor of Arts, Economics

2002

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Bachelor of Arts, Economics

2002

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Bachelor of Arts, Economics

2002

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois