VARLab Vibe - Elliot Stronge

Today's VARLab Vibe features the very musical and multi-talented creativity of Elliot Stronge !

(Interviewed by Krushi Kiranraj )

What do you do at the VARLab, and how long have you been on the team?

I have been working at the VARLab for over a year as a VR/AR Developer and more recently, something closer to a technical art/research position.

What has been your favorite project to work on so far?

Throughout my time at VARLab, I have worked on various projects. My favorite so far has been the project I recently started, building the Asset Acquisition Pipeline. So far, this has consisted of research and testing into photogrammetry and 3D modeling, but I expect to eventually move into helping with technical problems within other project teams.

What role does feedback, both from colleagues and learners, play in refining your work?

Feedback comes in many different forms and a lot of them are valuable. Being able to take a step back, adapt, and understand the needs of the learners or my colleagues before moving forward has helped me learn to keep things more concise, and plan effectively.

Where do you get the best information about upcoming trends in game and simulation design?

I have a habit of deeply analyzing the games I play after finishing them to make connections and discover the patterns that make them engaging. I also watch talks from events such as GDC from industry developers and watch YouTube videos from indie developers.

Who or what inspires you in your work with digital learning experiences and simulations?

To put it simply, I love the idea of being able to provide a more engaging and interactive option for people to gain and transfer knowledge. I believe that having simulations as a prerequisite to learning an applicable topic will help reduce unnecessary resource consumption and accidents in many fields in the future.?

Are there specific areas or technologies you're excited to learn more about?

Currently, I’m most excited to continue learning more about photogrammetry, a technology that can generate 3D models using a curated dataset of images. We are in the process of upgrading our photogrammetry setup after an exploratory period, so I’m looking forward to experimenting once we get our hands on higher-quality equipment!

What’s something interesting about you that many folks don’t know?

I am a multi-instrumentalist! I love music! I play guitar, bass, drums, cello, and sing. Guitar is my primary instrument and I have been playing it for over 10 years

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Since I was young, I’ve loved playing video games, and I have wanted to make them for as long as I can remember. As soon as I had the resources to start, I began working in Unity and making various small-mid size game projects as a creative outlet.

How do you typically spend your day off?

I’m happy to have cultivated time-consuming hobbies like playing instruments and game development, and I’ve recently started rock climbing as well. My days off are typically spent doing a variety of these things or spending time with friends and family.

What would you absolutely rate 10/10?

I’m split between being on stage and playing a rocking set after months of practicing and completing work on an interesting mechanic in a videogame (because of course I am).

What guilty pleasure song do you turn up really loud whenever it comes on your playlist?

Definitely Upside Down by Jack Johnson! It is a special song from my childhood and has such a positive outlook that I can’t help but smile when I hear it.