Darren Woodland Jr. (US) is an innovative multimedia designer, accomplished 3D artist, and emerging researcher. Their expertise lies in designing, animating, and sonifying assets for virtual reality, interactive installations, and education/training projects. Specializing in lighting, shading, VFX, audio, and procedural workflows, they possess a versatile skill set in art, design, 3D asset production, animation, illustration, and audio implementation. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Digital Media and a Graduate Minor in Computer Science, Darren holds a Master of Art + Design degree in Experimental Media Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Media Art and Art Studio. As a Rankin Scholar collaborator, they contributed to a prestigious university-sponsored project celebrating Black Wealth through an immersive and participatory interactive installation. Their work as an art director and technical artist on Black Ice VR has been showcased at SXSW, SIGGRAPH, Imagine Film Festival, B3 Biennial of the Moving Image, and the Bucheon International Film Festival. Passionate about merging art and design, technology, and research, Darren Woodland Jr. continues to shape the landscape of multimedia and immersive experiences.

Talks

• Darren Woodland: Echoes of Harmonic Threads: Weaving Afrofuturist Narratives through Cloth, Dance, and Sonic Identity