Hey there! I'm Ash, deeply passionate about VR design and an expert in Spatial Design. I channel my expertise into Crafting and constructing Applications within the Virtual realm.
15yrs
3D MODELLING
Crafting Architectural Environments with Vision and Precision
10yrs
DESIGN LEAD
Diverse Visions, Singular Expertise: Crafting Design Solutions Across Markets
5yrs
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Pioneering Project Management Excellence
6+
VR SOLUTIONS
Delivering Virtual Realities: Crafting Experiences, Shipping Success.
Innovating Immersive Experiences: My Impact in the VR Realm
Product Designer at Virtual Apprentice
As a Creative Strategist / Product Designer at Virtual Apprentice, I specialize in designing and developing VR training applications that enhance learning and skill development across various industries. My expertise lies in translating complex training needs into immersive and interactive VR experiences that maximize engagement and knowledge retention.
Roles and Responsibilities:
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Client Collaboration – Work closely with clients to understand their training requirements and convert them into effective VR solutions.
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Storyboarding & Wireframing – Develop visual and functional blueprints to guide the design and development of VR applications.
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Environment Design & Development – Create realistic and engaging virtual environments that enhance the user experience.
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Project Oversight – Manage the entire design pipeline, ensuring smooth execution from conceptualization to deployment.
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Quality Assurance & Optimization – Oversee development, conduct QA/QC, and refine applications for seamless user experience before publishing on platforms like the Meta store.
Strengths & Capabilities:
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Human-Centric Design – Focus on user experience to create intuitive and effective VR training applications.
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Problem-Solving – Identify and address challenges in VR application design to ensure optimal functionality.
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Technical Proficiency – Skilled in VR design tools, spatial planning, and immersive storytelling to craft high-quality simulations.
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Project Management – Ability to oversee projects from ideation to completion, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery.
Technology Consultant at EDSTUTIA
As a Technology Consultant at Edstutia, I support the team in delivering the ICXR Certification Program, ensuring a seamless and effective learning experience for students. My role involves assisting with both training and technical aspects of the program, helping learners navigate XR tools and technologies with confidence.
Roles and Responsibilities:
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Program Support – Assist the team in managing and enhancing the ICXR Certification Program.
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Student Assistance – Provide guidance to students on using XR tools and platforms.
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Technical Troubleshooting – Address and resolve technical issues that students encounter during training.
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Training Support – Help facilitate training sessions and ensure smooth execution of learning modules.
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Content Enhancement – Contribute to refining and improving training materials to enhance the learning experience.
Strengths & Capabilities:
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XR Expertise – Strong knowledge of immersive technologies and XR tools.
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Problem-Solving – Ability to quickly diagnose and resolve technical issues.
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Training & Mentorship – Skilled in guiding students through complex concepts in a clear and engaging manner.
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Technical Support – Proficient in troubleshooting software and hardware issues in an XR learning environment.
Unlocking Inspiration: Journey Through My Portfolio
I have led the conceptualization, storyboarding, client collaboration, and 3D environment development for all the projects displayed below.
HARMONY VR
Virtual Apprentice
HarmonyVR, born from Virtual Apprentice's vision, represents a groundbreaking approach to Implicit Bias training. This application is crafted to help employees identify their unconscious biases without human intervention and furnish employers with measurable training outcomes. As the VR Creative Strategist, I led the entire conceptualization and design of this innovative application, steering its development and contributing to its market launch strategy. Having achieved a successful Proof of Concept (PoC), we've now transitioned into the dynamic phase of product development.
PEIRAMA - PIPETTE TRAINING
BTI Works of Maryland, Inc.
Peirama emerges as a pipette training solution, meticulously crafted by the team at Virtual Apprentice for the esteemed BioTechnical Institute of Maryland, Inc. (BTI). Under my conceptualization and design, Peirama is currently in its developmental phase, aimed at furnishing learners with an immersive alternative to conventional in-person sessions. Within this Virtual Reality realm, students engage with comprehensive lessons and exercises, mirroring real-world scenarios. The curriculum encompasses an array of topics, encompassing diverse components, uses, functions, and proper methodologies associated with pipette utilization within laboratory settings.
VIRTUAL MUSEUM
Museum of Science Fiction
This visionary project is set to create a nexus where the convergence of art and science, ignited by boundless imagination, stands as the central theme. Its overarching goal is to establish a pivotal center that not only showcases the intertwined nature of art and science but also delves into the depths of the genre's historical evolution across diverse artistic platforms. This endeavor has provided me with the opportunity to seamlessly integrate my expertise in architecture and modeling into the captivating field of Virtual Reality (VR) design. My involvement has been instrumental in shaping and crafting different facets of the Museum of Science Fiction.
WAYFARER
XRTERRA - Edutainment Games
Architecture serves as a reflection of the era in which it exists, capturing the spirit of its time. Wayfarer was conceived as a means to deeply engage users in the treasure trove of historical architectural knowledge. . The prototype you're currently viewing offers users an immersive glimpse into the evolving landscape of New York City, showcasing the area that is now occupied by the magnificent WTC station designed by Calatrava
The application uses a 360 image to immerse users and consists of a gamified questionnaire in conclusion to engage users. This academic project was the brainchild of a team with me as the principal designer and developed by two developers.
POE MUSEUM - WEBXR
Edgar Allen Poe Museum - Richmond ,VA.
n the year 2023, Richmond's Edgar Allen Poe Museum commemorated a century of its existence with fervor. In honor of this monumental milestone, the museum embarked on an ambitious endeavor—to create an immersive webXR platform that would serve as a digital extension of their legacy. This visionary project unfolded across two distinct phases, and I had the privilege of contributing as a consultant VR Designer.
Initially my creative endeavors took form in meticulous design and modeling of an authentic replica of the physical museum, a glimpse of which can be seen here.
The culmination of this ambitious journey will undoubtedly contribute to the museum's rich legacy, offering visitors a novel and immersive perspective on the world of Edgar Allen Poe.. Visit the museum using the Password : eap
KINDLING
XRTERRA - Game
Within the framework of the XR Terra designer course, our team embarked on a collaborative journey to conceive and actualize a Virtual Reality game tailored for the Oculus platform. Serving as the designated designer, my role encompassed the intricate task of conceptualizing and crafting the game's immersive realm.
Marking my inaugural foray into the realm of Virtual Reality, this endeavor presented an enriching learning experience that propelled my skills to new heights. The design process yielded a captivating array of distinctive elements, notable among them the imaginative creation of terrain adorned with surreal bioluminescent textures, as well as the innovative application of visual effects to conjure ethereal orbs.
NATURE TRAIL
ENVIRONMENT DESIGN
Within each VR endeavor, the immersive landscape to which the player is transported stands as a pivotal factor, fundamentally shaping the player's encounter. The construction of this particular terrain served as an instructive tutorial, elucidating the process of crafting visually stunning landscapes within the Unity framework.
The journey of creating these terrains within Unity posed its own set of challenges. Addressing the persistent pink shader issues emerged as a primary concern. Furthermore, meticulous attention was devoted to curbing the potential for texture and element saturation, which could otherwise hinder the seamless and lag-free VR experience that players seek.
If the allure of this nature walk piques your curiosity, a click below will unveil the intricate artistry that went into its creation.
ART GALLERY
XRTERRA - Interactive Art gallery
Modern art museums serve as dynamic hubs, reflecting the evolution of societal values, ideologies, and innovation through contemporary artistic expression. They challenge conventional norms, provoking thought and encouraging discourse on pressing issues, serving as catalysts for social change and reflection. These institutions redefine boundaries, offering diverse perspectives that prompt introspection, fostering a deeper connection between art, society, and our individual experiences. Crafted in unity, this interactive art museum offers visitors an encounter with futuristic modern art that transcends the confines of realism. The tranquil exhibition of art delves into the fourth dimension of spacetime, providing visitors with the serenity of art from their preferred location through the immersive experience of virtual reality.
Greg Viggiano, PhD PMP
Executive Director, Museum of Science Fiction
Ash has been on the Museum of Science Fiction VR Museum project for about a year. During this time, she quickly established herself as one of the most talented 3d model designers and VR developers on the team. She is very easy to work with and consistently delivers excellent designs with astonishing accuracy. It's hard to overstate her contributions to the project and our overall progress due to her efforts.
Neil Bhatt
President,
nbj Architecture
Aishwarya (Ash) Balagopal worked at nbj Architecture from 2017 to 2021, wearing many hats. She was an Architectural Staff Member designing and detailing various projects. At the same time, she also helped obtain LEED certification for multiple projects and spearheaded the firm's marketing-business development efforts. She is a very talented person and has impeccable professional integrity and dedication to her work. She will be an asset to any organization
Daniel Cuartas
Engineering and
Mentalist
Ash was a fundamental piece in our XR development team, her design skills skyrocketed the quality of our app. Great communication between the designer and developer team, It was a pleasure working with her. Lucky whomever works with her in the future.
Marketing
I also possess 5-7 years of experience in business development and product marketing, showcasing my ability to produce and refine compelling video content. I possess additional skills in strategic website design, crafting impactful online experiences tailored for prospective clients. Known for my adept networking abilities, I specialize in fostering meaningful connections to draw in and captivate new clientele.
