My career thrives where creativity meets technology — turning stories into interactive, problem-solving experiences.

I began in advertising, but was drawn to the bigger impact when design and tech converge. Now, as a Master’s student in Computer and Information Technology at UPenn, I’m building on that foundation — from Texas Creative campaigns to immersive worlds like Elysian Heights and products like RecyclAR.

These intersections have shaped my path — and drive what comes next.

Learning the Art of Storytelling at Texas Creative

At UT Austin’s Texas Creative program, I learned great advertising is about people — crafting stories that resonate.

For the Young Ones Competition, my team built a NotCo campaign for eco-conscious youth, blending bold visuals with an AI-driven vision of sustainable comfort food. It proved creativity plus strategy can move people — but left me wondering: what if audiences could live the story?

That led me to Elysian Heights in UT’s Immersive program — a mixed-reality narrative set in a utopian city ruled by AI. As A/V Developer, I built a TouchDesigner cue system, activated the main space, and refined through playtests. The result: an experience where participants didn’t just watch — they shaped the story.

Turning Creativity Into Action: RecyclAR

Before UPenn, I co-created RecyclAR at a hackathon — an AR app that gamified recycling. In 48 hours, we built an AI-powered prototype that identified recyclables and guided proper disposal.

Its win came from merging innovation with user-focused design — a clear sustainability story, intuitive interface, and practical impact. It proved that creativity, design, and tech together can drive change at scale.

Why Immersive Experiences Work

Immersive content drives results — 47% higher engagement (Magna Global) and 70% better retention (Nielsen) — by turning audiences into participants. It doesn’t just tell a story; it makes people part of it.

Looking Ahead

As a first-year MCIT student at UPenn, I’m merging creative vision with technical skill — from software development to human-computer interaction — to craft experiences that invite participation, spark emotion, and leave a lasting impact.

Works Cited

Magna Global & IPG Media Lab. Interactive Video Ads: Driving Engagement and Impact. Marketing Dive, 2017. Available at: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/study-interactive-video-ads-boost-viewing-time-47/506780/

PadSquad. How Interactive Video Ads Elevate Engagement. 2024. Available at: https://padsquad.com/blog/how-interactive-video-ads-elevate-engagement

Product Marketing Alliance. Effective TV Ad Strategies for CTV. 2024. Available at: https://www.productmarketingalliance.com/effective-tv-ad-strategies-for-ctv/