About
Jon Lai is a recent master’s graduate from the Digital Media Arts and Engineering (DMAE) program at LSU. His background includes industrial design for commercial aviation, freelance photography, and a passion for the intersection of tech and entertainment.
At LSU, Jon contributed to developing virtual production curriculum and building the first dedicated VP studio on campus. At the same time, he worked on web UX and open-hardware distribution at his assistantship with the AGGRC; an LSU AgCenter research group specializing in aquatic species and cryopreservation.
Skills and Software
Primary
XR Production
Virtual Production
Lighting Design
Environment Design
Photography
Primary Software
Unreal Engine
Houdini
Adobe Suite
Maya
Reality Capture
Secondary
Game Design
3D Scanning / Photogrammetry
Hard Surface Modeling
Project and Team Planning
VFX Simulation
Secondary Software
Optitrack Motive
Substance Painter/Designer
Jira
Perforce
Github
Solidworks
Rhinoceros
Fusion 360
Experience
LSU AgCenter
Graduate Assistant
(Photography & Design)
Mar 2020 - Present
Baton Rouge, LA
Providing in-lab design and media support for the Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Center. Current projects involve UX/UI development and content creation for online outreach and education. With physical limitations created by COVID-19, web-based digital media and learning tools are developed to restore communication between labs around the country.
Jon Lai Photography
Owner/Photographer
Jan 2017 - Present
Seattle, WA / Baton Rouge, LA
Freelance photographer primarily supporting the Pacific Northwest automotive community and industry. Work includes automotive sales, motorsports, event coverage, and social media content. Additional services include portraits, weddings, and product photography.
Enthusiast Edge
Freelance Copywriter/
Content Producer
Apr 2020 - Aug 2020
Seattle, WA
Writing automotive content and building web pages with a combination of HTML and www.dealer.com interface to highlight new models, features, and services. Content creation for dozens of brands and hundreds of dealerships nationwide.
TEAGUE
Technical Designer
Sep 2011 – Oct 2019
Aviation Studio - Everett, WA
Aviation industrial designer with a focus on prototyping and physical touch-points. Projects ranged from architecture and lighting to premium seating and custom airline features. Tasks focused on designing holistic systems of components, and then developing prototypes to test ergonomics and document user experiences. Prototyping experience includes planning and leading build teams in the construction of volumetric models and high-fidelity mock-ups.
Technical Design Intern
Jun 2011 – Sep 2011
Aviation Studio - Everett, WA
Jet Parts Engineering
Engineering Intern / Designer
Oct 2008 - Dec 2010
Seattle, WA
Manufacture, product design updates, and quality control of aircraft components. Tasked with designing multiple print documents including brochures, magazine advertisements, posters, and a website refresh.
Education
University of Washington
Bachelor’s of Design
Industrial Design
Sept 2007 - June 2012
Photography Cert.
Sept 2017 - June 2018
Louisiana State University
Master’s of Engineering
Digital Media Arts and Engineering
Aug 2020 - May 2022