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Speakers: Dan Cermak, Robbie Sieczkowski, Sep Vaez Afshar
Abstract: The stu/dio (https://games.illinois.edu/) is a student-driven effort to manage game development projects in support of education and research on the University of Illinois campus.
stu/dio Director Dan Cermak, Producer Robbie Sieczkowski, and Associate Producer and XR Lead Sep Afshar will present an overview of the studio’s growing portfolio, which now includes 7 XR projects. They will introduce the production pipeline, share real examples from current projects, and highlight the XR design principles guiding development.
The session will also emphasize opportunities for new students to join stu/dio, contribute to hands-on XR development, and engage in a collaborative environment bridging research, education, and industry practices.
Dan Cermak (GSD and Informatics)
Dan brings 30+ years of experience in the video game industry to teaching Video Game Design and Production classes as part of the Informatics department. Additionally, he co-taught a VR/AR class in the CS department and has been part of the university since spring 2018.
Robbie Sieczkowski (PhD student in Informatics)
Robbie is a fourth-year Informatics PhD student at Illinois whose research sits at the intersection of game development, advanced educational technology, and sociotechnical information systems. Robbie produces projects spanning archaeology, neuroanatomy, civil engineering, dance history, movement studies, and beyond, using games as both research tools and educational technologies. Beyond his research, he supports campus XR communities as the student academic advisor for the VR Club at Illinois.
Sep Vaez Afshar (PhD student in Informatics)
Sep is a PhD student in Informatics whose research takes an interdisciplinary approach to serious games, extended reality, and digital heritage. At UIUC, he explores how data science and immersive technologies can enhance education and public awareness, making cultural knowledge more accessible and impactful. He also serves on research and review committees for international journals and conferences and has received multiple international awards in computer-aided design and historic preservation.
This seminar will be streamed and recorded via Zoom for remote attendees.
Zoom: https://illinois.zoom.us/j/87540809410?pwd=WQiuD4ASWQJNTnIwfkpKRVDmohSwYE.1