Artificial Natures is the creative technology studio of Aaron Westre. We build custom software and hardware applications for creative people.

 

We work with artists, designers, architects and other professionals to build technology solutions that enhance their capacity to create, communicate and collaborate. Our core specialization is interactive 3D visualization and ideation tools. Our passion is enhancing creative capacity through digital technology.

 

Aaron Westre
Founder, Artificial Natures

Aaron Westre is a software developer, designer, artist, author and educator working at the intersection of creativity and technology. He has an undergraduate degree in Anthropology and a masters degree in Architecture. He founded Artificial Natures in 2009. Recently he co-founded R5VR, a software company that builds virtual reality tools for the design industry.

Aaron worked for 4 years as a researcher in the University of Minnesota's Virtual Reality Design Lab. He also teaches there in the School of Architecture. Design Games for Architecture, his book that teaches designers how to build creative applications inspired by video games, was released in 2014.

Aaron's research, teaching and artistic interests revolve around developing new technologies for creative expression.

Contact Aaron:

aaron@artificialnatures.com

@aaronwestre

 

Aaron Westre: Curriculum Vitae

Education

2008

Master of Architecture. University of Minnesota. Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

1998

Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology). St. Cloud State University. St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Teaching

2015

Design Games. School of  Architecture, University of Minnesota.

2014

Design Games. School of  Architecture, University of Minnesota.

2012

Games for Change: New Rules of Play for Education. School of Architecture, University of Minnesota.

Experimental Game Lab. School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

2011

Architecture and Social Media. School of Architecture, University of Minnesota.

Social Media as Tools in Disaster Relief. School of Architecture, University of Minnesota.

2010

Design Games: Rethinking Architectural Design Software. School of Architecture, University of Minnesota.

Future Lost Architectures: Designing with Intelligent Components. School of Architecture, University of Minnesota.

2009

Design Games: Rethinking Architectural Design Software. School of Architecture, University of Minnesota.

Design Games: Programming Creative Interfaces. School of Architecture, University of Minnesota.

Work Experience

2016 - Present

Co-founder. R5VR, Inc. Minneapolis, MN.

2012 - 2016

Researcher/Software Developer. Virtual Reality Design Lab, College of Design, University of Minnesota. Minneapolis, MN.

2012

Adjunct Instructor. Art and Technology Studies, School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.

2009 - Present

Adjunct Instructor. School of Architecture, University of Minnesota. Minneapolis, MN.

Principal. Artificial Natures, a creative technology studio serving architects, designers and artists. Minneapolis, MN.

2010 - 2011

Software Developer. Center for Sustainable Building Research, University of Minnesota. Minneapolis, MN.

2009 - 2010

Research Fellow. Minneapolis Art on Wheels, Department of Art, University of Minnesota. Minneapolis, MN.

2005 - 2009

Technology Coordinator. Institute for New Media Studies, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of  Minnesota. Minneapolis, MN.

2001 - 2005

Software Developer. The Graduate School, University of Minnesota. Minneapolis, MN.

1998 - 2001

Computer Technician. Grand Forks Public Schools. Grand Forks, ND.

1994 - 1998

Help Desk Support Technician. St. Cloud State University. St. Cloud, MN.

Technical Expertise

Programming Languages

C#, C++, C, Java, Python, Ruby, Javascript, HTML, CSS

Graphics and Game Development

Unity, OpenGL, Processing, OpenFrameworks, Cinder, OpenSceneGraph, Panda3D

Electronics

Arduino, Microsoft Kinect, Raspberry Pi, Light Blue Bean, general electronic prototyping skills

Software Development Tools

Visual Studio, Xcode, MonoDevelop, Android Studio, Git, SVN

Virtual Reality

Cross-platform VR app development for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Gear VR and Google Cardboard

3D Modeling Tools

Rhino, SketchUp, Blender, Maya, Revit

Digital Fabrication

3D printers, laser cutters and other CNC machines

Publications

2014

Design Games for Architecture: Creating Digital Design Tools with Unity (Book) Routledge. New York.

2011

Design Games: Rethinking Architectural Design Software (Paper) in Proceedings of the 99th ACSA Annual Meeting. Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

2010

TensileDraw (Software Review) Fabric Architecture. Jan/Feb. Industrial Fabrics Association International.

2009

ForTen 3000 (Software Review) Fabric Architecture. Jan/Feb. Industrial Fabrics Association International.

2008

Complexity Machine 1: A 3D Modeling Application Implementing Behavioral Simulation (Paper) in Proceedings of the 2008 ACADIA Conference. Association for Computer-Aided Design in Architecture.

Complexity Machine 1: Drawing 3D Form with Behavioral Simulation  (Masters Thesis). University of Minnesota.

Volume 4: Design+Freedom, Co-editor. THERE: Journal of Design. University of Minnesota.

2007

Design Hackers (Article) in THERE: Journal of Design, v. 3. University of Minnesota.

2006

Techno-green (Article) in THERE: Journal of Design, v. 2. University of Minnesota. 

Exhibitions

2015

People Pixels (with J Wynia) as part of the Northern Spark Festival. Minneapolis, MN.

People Pixels (with J Wynia) as part of Super Hero Science. Science Museum of Minnesota. St. Paul, MN.

2014

Chimera (with Minneapolis Art on Wheels) as part of the Northern Spark Festival. Bell Museum of Natural History. Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2013

Chimera (with Minneapolis Art on Wheels) as part of the Resident Artist Research Program. Bell Museum of Natural History. Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2012

City Fight! in Art(ists) on the Verge 3 (Group Show). Soap Factory. Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2010

Home Energy Game (Software Development and Interaction Design) in Sustainable Shelter: Dwelling within the Forces of Nature. Bell Museum of Natural History. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Currently touring nationally.

2008

Co-curator. Emerging Digerati Showcase. University of Minnesota.

2006

Packaging as Object of Desire in the 9th Annual CALA Student Exhibition (Group Show). University of Minnesota. Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Presentations

2012

City Fight! Discourse and Discord Symposium. Walker Art Center. Minneapolis, MN.

2011

Design Games: Rethinking Architectural Design Software (Paper Presentation) 99th ACSA Annual Meeting. Montréal, Quebec, Canada.

2008

Complexity Machine 1: A 3D Modeling Application Implementing Behavioral Simulation (Paper Presentation) 2008 ACADIA Conference. University of Minnesota.

2007

Design Code (Presentation). Emerging Digerati. University of Minnesota.

A Digital Rocaille (Paper Presentation). Minnesota Society of Architectural Historians Student Symposium. University of St. Thomas. St. Paul, Minnesota.

Service

2015-2016

Member, Catalyst for Change Group. University of Minnesota College of Design. Minneapolis, MN. 

2011 - 2013

Chair, Adjunct Faculty Consultative Committee. University of Minnesota College of Design. Minneapolis, MN. 
 
2011 - 2012

College of Design Mentor Program. University of Minnesota. Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Awards

2011

Art(ists) On the Verge Fellowship. Northern Lights.mn. Minneapolis, MN.

2010

Douglas Haskell Award for Student Journals. Center for Architecture Foundation, New York.

2008

Saul Parness Scholarship. School of Architecture, University of Minnesota.