Kathryn Hicks

AR / VR Designer

Memphis, TN, USA
Kathryn Hicks is an AR / VR designer based in Memphis, Tennessee. She was introduced to VR while she was in graduate school at Savannah College of Art and Design. After seeing her friend create a VR experience for a class project, she immediately knew she wanted to be a part of the VR industry. In 2017, Kathryn was a part of the VR developer program Oculus Launch Pad and has worked in the industry on several AR / VR projects for immersive training simulations and educational content for medical, enterprise, and universities and was recently a part of the Snapchat AR Creator Residency Program. She is currently working on an asymmetric VR co-op platformer game called Mend, an Oculus 2019 Launch Pad Scholarship project by Justin Palmer. Mend is an upcoming video game where both flat-screen and VR players can play together.

As an AR / VR designer, Kathryn enjoys creating 3D assets and UI for both virtual and augmented reality experiences. She loves seeing the multiple uses for immersive tech and is passionate about being involved with and helping shape the future of this ever-changing industry.

Work Experience

Freelance

Lead 3D Immersive Experience Designer

January 2023 - Present Memphis, Tennessee, United States

St. Jude ALSAC

Immersive Experience Designer

March 2021 - January 2023 Tennessee, United States

Digital Precept

3D Modeler & UI Designer

Created UI designs and 3D models for the asymmetric VR co-op platforming game Mend, an Oculus Launch Pad scholarship recipient.
January 2020 - Present Memphis, Tennessee, United States

The Danse

AR / VR Designer

Creating assets and design work for virtual & augmented reality content
July 2018 - October 2020 Tennessee, United States

Tall Tales Of The Aerona Temple

Director, Art Director, Character Artist, Character Designer, Previsualization Artists

Directed a 360° animated film about a royal Sasquash that accidentally unleashes an ancient evil that threatens the prosperity of his homeland.
March 2016 - April 2018 Georgia, United States

Oculus Launch Pad 2017

Participant

Participated in a VR developer program
June 2017 - September 2017 Menlo Park, California, United States

Float Astronaut - SCAD Graduate Collaborative Class

Public Relations Administrator, 3D Character & Prop Modeler, Title Designer

Created a Sway page, title design, end credit
designs, 3D character models, and prop
modeling for the film Float Astronaut
March 2016 - June 2016 Savannah, Georgia, United States

Say It With Music - SCAD Lab - Collaborative Learning Center

Character & Process Book Designer

SCAD is developing a two-quarter project to conceptualize and produce an innovative 3-5 minute live-action, stereoscopic, virtual reality experience for competitions and public distribution.
January 2016 - March 2016 Savannah, Georgia, United States

Kabir - SCAD Graduate Collaborative Class

2D Special Effects Artist

Created rough 2D visual effects for the animated film "Kabir" directed by HR Scott and Raghav Arumugam
October 2015 - November 2015 Savannah, Georgia, United States

Great Dane Trailers - SCAD Collaborative Learning Center

Character Designer

SCAD is collaborating with Great Dane Trailers to research and develop a content strategy for creating and delivering entertaining and insightful corporate communications and increasing employee engagement.
September 2015 - December 2015 Savannah, Georgia, United States

The Fallen Swan

Character Designer

Created early character designs for the animated film "The Fallen Swan" directed by Win Leerasanthanah
September 2015 - November 2015 Savannah, Georgia, United States

Bechtel Corporation

Public and Corporate Affairs Intern (Graphic Design)

- Converted Power Point, PDFs, Word, and Adobe Indesign documents to BVI (Bechtel Visual Identity) format
- Converted Power Point, PDFs, and Word documents to BVI format
- Created Brochures, Ads, Iconography, Nametags, E-mail Banners, and Folder Covers
- Edited Adobe Indesign and Illustrator documents
- Convert Illustrator, and Indesign documents to jpg., pdf. and/or Word
May 2013 - August 2013 Reston, Virginia, United States

Hutchison School

Summer Animation Camp Instructor

Taught basic visual storytelling, animation, storyboarding, and character design at a summer camp for kids ages 8-14.
June 2014 - June 2014 Memphis, Tennessee, United States

The Daily Helmsman

Photographer

- Took photographs of daily activities on campus
- Head Photographer
October 2009 - April 2010 Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Monarts School For The Arts

Teacher's Assistant

- Taught children between the ages of 5 and 10 about the basics of linear drawing, and crafts
June 2005 - July 2006 Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Education

Savannah College Of Art And Design (SCAD)

Masters of Fine Arts

September 2014 - November 2017 Savannah, Georgia, United States

University Of Memphis

Bachelors of Fine Arts

Minor in Art History
August 2009 - December 2013 Tennessee, United States

Languages

English (Native),

Awards

Bechtel Corporation

Leadership Plus Award

2013

University Of Memphis

30th Annual Juried Student Exhibition - Merit Award

2013

University Of Memphis

28th Annual Juried Student Exhibition - Judges Award

2011

University Of Memphis

Saul Brown Photojournalism Award

2010

Skills

3D Modeling, Adobe CC, Adobe Medium, Adobe XD, After Effects, AR, Autodesk Maya, Blender, Drawing, Headus UV Layout, Illustrator, Indesign, Painting, Photography, Photoshop, Storyboard Pro, Substance Painter, TopoGun , UI Design , Unity, Unreal, Vr, VR Design, VR Storyboarding, ZBrush,

Tiny Rooftops, Tiny Homes (Illustration)

Illustrated Tiny Rooftops, Tiny Homes by Elizabeth
Cameron for the Fall 2013 University of Memphis
Magazine.

https://issuu.com/univofmemphis/docs/fall13

Co - Founder and Animation Student Leader for SCAD Virtual Reality Student Meet-up

An organization dedicated to networking, sharing experiences, and learning about the world of virtual and augmented reality alongside fellow students who are actively working in these new and emerging mediums.

Snap AR Creator

Certified Snap AR Creator
Issued Dec 2020
Credential ID: @gokatcreate