Daniel Rutkowski Email & Phone Number

Redmond, Washington, Us

Art-direction role within Microsoft’s ISE group, helping the team to visualize and provide visionary assets and interactive showcases related to forthcoming customer innovations powered by Microsoft’s enterprise technologies.

Redmond, Washington, Us

•Worked with the Consumer Innovations Teams on collaborative projects spanning entertainment, energy, and automotive industries, designing and implementing cutting-edge consumer and business experiences that focused on developing embodied AI characters that support better storytelling in physical-space scenarios such as corporate HQ command centers, exhibit-space events incorporating game design, and in-vehicle AI-driven experiences.• Conceptualized and developed new experiences with engineering teams, integrating AI technologies that resonate with audiences.•Developed and implemented innovative methods for bringing captivating, helpful and relatable AI characters to life using LLM connectivity and animation within Unreal 5.•Created and maintained comprehensive explanations of AI character models, animations, personas, and related character definitions.• Designed an immersive Hololens 2 consumer experience incorporating live-connections with choreographed robotics and a holographic story-line sequence hosted by an embodied-AI narrator.• Proficient in Unreal engine 4 and 5 for concept-visualization and prototyping.• Provided full design services for GM’s EV Lyqriq in-vehicle dash-board game showcased at CES 2023, creating a full-sensory, ride-like engagement.• Continuously researched and evaluated emerging AI technologies like GPT4, exploring new ways to enhance interactive story-lines with responsive embodied-AI characters.• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a focus on user experience design, design-strategy, creativity, and storytelling.• Conceptualized digital-enhanced event spaces that narrate brand stories for audience engagement and exploration.• Proven track record of delivering high-quality prototype and visionary projects on time, guiding engineering teams' next steps.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Us

• Founded and led development for Sirenum Digital LLC, an ID@XBOX participant studio, dedicated to delivering memorable storytelling game experiences with unique visual styles.• Guided the creation of two titles over 7 years, engaging in various aspects of development such as level design, character development, concept art, story writing, technical art, creative management, and cloud integration.• Ventured into entrepreneurship, gaining substantial experience in project management, fundraising, design strategy, and the creation of a premier interactive development studio in Milwaukee.• The studio aims to support local creative talent, bringing Milwaukee-made AAA gaming titles to the wider audience, and offering contract work for local creatives.• Led the studio through the Milwaukee Tech Hub's Fall incubator program "FOR-M," building business development and project management skills, and documenting the framework for building a successful studio focused on audience engagement.• Developed comprehensive marketing and social media engagement strategies to promote the studio and its projects.• Preparing for engagement with publishers and investment groups for funding and showcasing vertical slices of the expected game experiences.

Chicago, Illinois, Us

Creative director with Czarnowski.• Spearheaded improvement of design methodologies through the implementation of real-time rendering techniques using Unreal Engine 5, delivering interactive and immersive experiences.• Conceptualized and pitched large-scale events for premier automotive brands such as Mercedes Benz, Land Rover, and Porsche, creating engaging and memorable brand experiences.• Fostered collaboration with the new-business development team to create innovative design and strategy-driven event marketing initiatives that effectively engaged new partners.• Conducted continuous design research to stay abreast of cutting-edge creative and technological trends. Utilized the most intriguing technologies available, including projection-mapping and real-time hologram displays such as Looking-glass, to develop innovative audience experiences.• Revolutionized storytelling through the creation of technology-driven spaces, providing audiences with an opportunity to explore and engage with the brand story on a deeper level.

Pleasant Prairie, Wi, Us

Making design and interactive-engagement magic back at Catalyst!

Pleasant Prairie, Wi, Us

• Conceptualized and executed trade show booths by providing guidance to creative teams, balancing rapid generation of designs with high-quality output. Physical and digital components were created for immersive experiences at the booth.• Guided creation of brand-specific experiences for high-profile clients such as Mitsubishi, RSA, Gung-Ho Games, Wargaming, Siemens, and Unity Game Engine.• Successfully engaged with clients' procurement teams to align booth designs and attractions with their leadership's marketing goals.• Responsible for recruiting and developing creative teams. Fostered a productive and collaborative work environment, nurturing the team's creative thought process and career progression.• Established and managed design department goals and standards, emphasizing on imaginative thinking and creative risk-taking, while also ensuring accountability for team's performance.• Introduced new tools and techniques into the company's design pipeline, including Autodesk Maya and Unreal Engine 4, to generate high-quality concept art and interactive pieces.• Acted as a developer on key projects, leveraging Unreal Engine as the primary tool for creating interactive engagements that uniquely connect the audience with the brand story• Implemented unique blend of Autodesk Maya's viewport with hand-sketched enhancements for rapid concept art production.• Leveraged Unreal Engine 4 to produce high-quality imagery and interactive walk-through-style pieces for clients.• Acted as a developer on key interactive projects, creating engaging digital experiences that enhanced brand stories.

North Las Vegas, Nevada, Us

• Collaborated with a global team across Detroit, Toronto, Las Vegas, Portland, and Los Angeles, orchestrating projects spanning events, trade-shows, retail design, permanent installations, and stadium fabrications, including the Raiders Stadium 2021 Opening.• Provided creative direction for high-profile brands such as NVIDIA, Google, T-Mobile, Aurora, Rubrik, Nike, Shopify, Astec, across multiple channels and brand-exposure opportunities, both locally and remotely.• Introduced Unreal Engine 4 for visualization techniques and prototyping of live event marketing projects and educational facilities. Worked closely with the digital development team to ensure seamless integration of digitally-driven experiential components with physical space planning.• Partnered with clients to enhance brand engagement and excitement, delving into their individual stories, highlighting core product strengths and differentiators, and connecting their emotional values to the audience through strategic design methodologies and compelling solutions.• Spearheaded the establishment and growth of ASTOUND's Milwaukee branch, recruiting creative talent eager to innovate, explore beyond their capabilities, and actively contribute to collaborative and strategic endeavors.

Milwaukee, Us

• Delivered a wide range of creative direction and digital services, driving engagement for high-profile clients and providing unique design opportunities.• Conceptualized and executed traditional in-store displays, rolled out new showrooms, and developed supporting elements for major automotive companies such as MOPAR, Mazda, Hyundai, and Cadillac.• Collaborated with teams to script innovative marketing strategies for Sony's PS VITA and Subaru, offering professional development opportunities beyond typical design roles.• Pioneered the conversion of static, rendered designs into immersive 3-dimensional environments for pre-production exploration, reducing the need for costly physical prototyping.• Utilized Unity3D 4.0 to create AAA-level visuals, enabling clients to virtually explore our designs and experience a narrative that surpasses traditional renderings, including the use of a pre-VR C.A.V.E. system.• Innovated a viable product line extension for DCI, resulting in a mobile virtual wrap-around environment product offering that clients can utilize in their own offices.

Waukegan, Il, Us

• Partnered with high-profile clients such as XBOX, LG, Bose, BMW, and Hasbro to design engaging marketing materials and physical displays that effectively represent successful brands.• Innovated new display methods for the XBOX KINECT and KIN phone during the Microsoft launch, successfully increasing customer engagement and product understanding.• Developed innovative engagement strategies for LG's 3D TVs, providing a unique and immersive user experience.• Created digital assets for prototyping via 3D printing, an integral part of the design process for creating interactive and immersive retail experiences.• Successfully delivered on multiple projects that prioritized creative storytelling, special pop-up events, branded experiences, and gamification, while always adhering to budget and deadline constraints.• Led the creation of in-store retail experiences, incorporating human-centered design thinking to surprise and delight customers exploring the latest in technology and gaming consoles.

Milwaukee, Wi, Us

• Designed experiential environments for boutique electronic stores, leveraging creative direction to establish immersive shopping experiences, that heightened customer engagement and boosted sales.• Played a pivotal role in rebranding and nationwide roll-out for AT&T Wireless after their acquisition of Singular Wireless. Guided the implementation of strict brand guidelines within a limited timeframe to ensure brand consistency across multiple retail outlets.• Crafted bespoke fixtures for Harley Davidson dealerships. Utilized consumer-centered design thinking to honor the brand's heritage while introducing innovative ways for customers to explore the dealership experience. The designs successfully enhanced customer engagement, increased showroom dwell time, and amplified brand loyalty.• Specialized in creating memorable pop-up events and branded experiences, effectively bridging physical spaces and digital experiences. Introduced gamification elements to further enrich the customer journey and foster stronger brand connections.• Demonstrated astute project management skills, delivering high-impact projects while ensuring budget adherence and meeting tight deadlines.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Industrial And Product Design

Bachelor Of Fine Arts, Industrial Design