Hey, I’m Hank 👋
I’m Hank — a design technologist who builds playful interactive experiences.
Most recently was focused on emergent digital spaces: from AR tools for healthcare to XR, haptics, and AI at Meta Reality Labs.
I thrive where code, hardware, and imagination meet: turning early ideas into prototypes that can be felt, heard, seen, and (sometimes) smelled. Not tasted though, at least… not yet 🤔
Outside of work, I’m a hobbyist maker with skills in electronics and 3D printing. My love languages are threaded inserts and programmable LEDs.
I also enjoy teaching others how to bring their own interactive ideas to life — whether that’s wiring a first circuit or helping shape a full installation.
My Specialties
UX Design
Empathizing with users and stakeholders to incorporate their needs into an experience
R&D
Diving into ambiguity, asking tons of questions, and resurfacing with findings
Prototyping
Sketching, wireframing, coding, and fabricating to express an idea
Experience
Senior Product Design Prototyper
Meta Reality Labs Research
January 2024 - March 2026
UX Designer III
Meta Reality Labs (via Crystal Equation)
January 2022 - January 2024
Prototyped haptic experiences for R&D in AR/VR to enable design exploration, value assessment, and user research studies
Evaluated the potential user value of novel research hardware against off-the-shelf devices
Collaborated with cross-functional partners to document research insights, develop code libraries, and facilitate design workshops
Experience Designer L1
Publicis Sapient
October 2020 - January 2022
Designed digital products for Mercedes-Benz USA through the creation of sketches, wireframes, interaction flows, and click-through prototypes
Generated prototype-driven insights for digital business transformation concepts within a specialized rapid innovation lab
Co-led a workshop series to support the product team’s transition to a Figma-based design management system (30+ active attendees)
Organized monthly remote events for an elementary school’s STEAM club partnered with our Atlanta office
Designed, programmed, and shipped 5 mobile AR minigames used in 20+ pediatric hospitals to improve the patient experience
Patented a novel AR practice of leveraging multiple visual targets to create scalable, room-filling content
Graduate Teaching Assistant for "Interactive Environments"
GaTech College of Design
August 2019 - May 2020
Mentored graduate students through the process of concepting, designing, and fabricating interactive physical installations.
Facilitated in-class charettes to assist students through the concepting and design phases of their projects.
Lectured on physical computing topics such as Arduino, addressable LEDs, and general hardware troubleshooting
Experience Design Intern
Second Story
June 2019 - August 2019
Developed flow diagrams, videos, and software prototypes to represent interactive physical installations to prospective clients
Conducted 2 rapid prototyping explorations to evaluate emergent physical sensing technologies for future client work. My contributions were featured in the company’s COVID-19 pivot: Zero-touch Technology
Led the UX on a team of 4 interns for a summer-long challenge project. Our submission received “Judges’ Choice” across 15+ North American teams.
AR/VR Research Assistant
IMAGINE Lab
January 2019 - May 2019
Prototyped and showcased 4 AR/VR demos to realize the potential impact of mixed reality on the future of Atlanta city planning.
Film Technology Intern
Universal Pictures
May 2017 - August 2017
Built a web tool that automated the creation and distribution of security tokens to access internal media servers.
Vetted mixed reality and photogrammetry technologies for use in film production and promotional content.
For a complete work history, check out my LinkedIn
Education
MS in Human-Computer Interaction
Georgia Institute of Technology
2018-2020
BSE in Computer Science
University of Michigan
2014-2018
Partnerships: the Georgia Aquarium, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, and The Home Depot
Awards &
Recognition
1st Place, "Innovative Interfaces" (2020)
People's Choice Award (2020)
Utility Patent (2016-17)
MS-HCI Master's Project Awards
Runner Up, Best Group Project (2020)
PS Summer Internship Challenge
Judges' Choice (2019)
Speaking
Publicis Sapient: Figma Workshop Series (2021)
Involvement
Lab Mentor for the Interactive Product Design Lab
Georgia Tech (2019-20)
Graduate Teaching Assistant for 'ID 6763: Design of Interactive Environments'
Georgia Tech (2019-20)
Graduate Council Member
Georgia Tech (2019-20)
Co-Founder of the Alternate Reality Initiative
University of Michigan (2016)
Volunteering
Makerspace Volunteer at Seattle Makers
Seattle, WA (2021-)
Info Desk Ambassador at the Museum of Pop Culture
Seattle, WA (2021-)
Remote STEAM Club Facilitator for Unity Prep Charter School
Brooklyn, NY (2021-22)
Remote STEAM Club Facilitator for Dresden Elementary
Atlanta, GA (2020-22)