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Denis Bjelica

History:

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Born in Sarajevo before the Yugoslavian wars of independence, Denis immigrated to the U.S., where his passion for technology and design led him to explore the intersections of virtual reality, architecture, and education. Throughout his career, Denis has focused on leveraging technology to advance scholarship and create innovative, immersive learning experiences. His work spans multiple disciplines, combining a deep understanding of design with a commitment to pushing the boundaries of digital environments.

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From leading the nonprofit Terra Virtualis, a project that integrates virtual reality into educational frameworks to enhance engagement with history and culture, to his work with Alethia Inc., a platform providing consumers with critical information about corporate practices, Denis's career reflects a dedication to using technology to foster new ways of learning and interacting. His academic and professional achievements demonstrate a commitment to advancing knowledge and creating solutions that address complex challenges in design, user experience, and immersive technologies.

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Ideation - Achiever - Intellection - Context - Strategic

Research

Masters Project - Terra Virtualis

  • https://github.com/Tadenus/TerraVirtualis

  • Terra Virtualis - A Master of Science graduate project that bridges User Experience, Education, and Historical Preservation. This research-based initiative develops systems and practices for educating about art, culture, and history within virtual environments. The project emphasizes pedagogical methods enhanced by technology to improve educational outcomes and engage users in an open-world walking simulator that provides immersive, curated educational experiences.

Education

  • Master of Science of Human Computer Interaction | 2021 - 2024

  • Iowa State University, Ames
     

  • Master’s Certificate of Preservation and Cultural Heritage | 2021 - 2024

  • Iowa State University, Ames
     

  • Bachelor of Arts of Writing & English Literature / 3D Design | 2010 - 2013

  • University of Iowa, Iowa City
     

Work Experience

 Founder / Lead Developer

  • Alethia Inc: 2019 - Present

  • Lead the development of an ethical consumer app, providing users with transparent information about companies through real-time data retrieval and analysis. Spearhead UX and UI design, ensuring intuitive and user-centered experiences.

  • Manage a team of developers and coordinate with legal experts to ensure accurate data sourcing, aligning with evolving consumer behavior and regulatory requirements.

  • Oversee partnerships and collaborations with industry leaders to drive innovative features, focusing on user empowerment and ethical decision-making in the marketplace.


​BIM Manager

  • BNIM: 2022 - 2024

  • Lead the development and implementation of BIM standards and protocols, enhancing project visualization, simulation, and analysis capabilities across architectural projects. Manage a team of specialists in a digital environment, ensuring continuous development and adherence to best practices, applicable to managing digital products and tools in gaming.

  • Drive innovation and adoption of sustainable practices using advanced digital modeling technologies, relevant to developing new business strategies in the gaming industry.


Executive Director / Lead Programmer

  • Terra Virtualis (501c3 A50):  2019 - 2024

  • Spearhead initiatives to merge virtual reality technology with art education, enhancing accessibility and innovation in arts education through strategic partnerships.

  • Lead a nonprofit organization in collaborating with industry leaders to foster free educational programs, demonstrating strong partnership-building and program management skills.

  • Utilize digital tools to facilitate and expand educational outreach, aligning with modern consumer product strategies.


​Virtual Reality and Graphic Designer

  • Allegis Group: 2017 - 2018

  • Designed detailed visual representations and user experiences for building projects using advanced computer design software, applicable to creating engaging marketing materials and partner presentations.

  • Maintained up-to-date industry knowledge, influencing project and partnership strategies with insights into current trends and technologies.


LG Mobile Market Manager

  • MarketSource Inc: 2015 - 2017

  • Managed brand training and built strong relationships with major national accounts, enhancing brand partnerships and training strategies.

  • Analyzed market data and trends to develop actionable solutions, directly relevant to partner management and co-branding efforts in the gaming sector.

Skills

  • 3D Design & Asset Development: Proficient in 3ds Max, Blender, and Revit for creating characters, landscapes, and 3D objects across game engines. Skilled in texture work, animation rigging, and asset optimization.​​​

  • User Experience (UX) Design: Experienced in designing intuitive and engaging user interfaces, focusing on game interfaces and interactive environments.

  • Unreal Engine & Game Dev: Advanced knowledge of Unreal Engine, with expertise in Blueprint and C++ coding, level design, scripting, and 3D asset integration.

  • Texture & Animation Rigging: Skilled in creating and applying textures, as well as rigging characters and objects for animation, ensuring smooth and realistic movements within game environments.

  • Programming in C++ & Python: Proficient in C++ and Python, with experience in frameworks and for building applications, creating data-driven tools, and implementing advanced game logic.

Soft Skills

  • Presentation & Training: Proficient in crafting engaging presentation materials and training programs for diverse audiences.

  • Communication & Collaboration: Effective in building strong communication channels and working collaboratively with academic and industry partners.

  • Problem-Solving: Adept at quickly identifying challenges and developing innovative solutions.

  • Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Experienced in integrating diverse perspectives from artists, designers, and engineers to enhance project outcomes.

  • Adaptability & Continuous Learning: Skilled at quickly adapting to new technologies, methodologies, and industry trends, with a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Awards

  • Graduate Research Excellence Award: Recognized for outstanding research contributions at Iowa State University, highlighting academic excellence and impactful scholarly work.

  • Iowa Startup Factory: Part of a startup incubator helping researchers and inventors create roadmaps to realize the societal and economic impact of their high-tech innovations.

  • Graduate College Emerging Leaders Academy: Participated in a program dedicated to developing leadership skills in top graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at Iowa State University.

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