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 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.