Alumni Spotlight — Jordan Smith

Written by: Ryan Helterhoff (MAMC ‘23)

Jordan Smith (MiDAS ’21) is currently employed at Subvrsive as an XR Engineer III, where he creates AR and VR experiences for a variety of clients. He decided to stay at UF another year after receiving his BS in Computer Science to complete his Master’s in Digital Arts & Sciences at the Digital Worlds Institute. Jordan attributes much of his success to the foundation he built at Digital Worlds, and his passion for emerging technologies.

1. How did your time at Digital Worlds lead you to the career you have today? Was there an experience or project you had during your time here that stood out to you or helped steer you toward your current path?

• Prior to beginning the MiDAS program, my area of expertise was computer science, so I wasn’t too familiar with AR and VR technology. Once I started learning about them, I began to understand the nitty-gritty of how they work, what programs the industry uses, design principles, and so on. Having this background aided me in gaining experience and landing my first job out of college. What’s more, I still use these foundational pillars in my work today, so I’m constantly applying that knowledge. In terms of projects, it’s a tie between Space Mail and VRobot. Those projects taught me a lot about UX design and how to create engaging virtual reality experiences.

2. What’s the most exciting part of your current career?

• Subvrsive is a really cool studio environment, so I get to work on a variety of projects for a variety of clients. What I like best about my job is the ability to work on something completely new every few months. It keeps things interesting and gives me the freedom to work on the topics I want to learn more about. I also get to experiment with new technology and work with a company making truly immersive experiences, such as Netflix’s FYSEE Showcase, in which Subvrsive created digital locations from shows like The Queen’s Gambit and Ozark that viewers could interact with.

3. What advice would you give to a new DAS student just starting out in college?

• I had some self-doubt when I first started the MiDAS program because I came from a computer science background with little design experience. But as I went through it, I focused on the things I already knew I was good at, and the rest came naturally. So, I guess the advice I would give is to ignore any self-doubt that may be lurking in the back of your mind and instead lean into your strengths. Everything else will fall into place. Another critical aspect is to create and work outside of class. Building a strong portfolio during your school years before applying for jobs will help you stand out and demonstrate your creative initiative.

4. What advice would you give to a soon-to-be or recent graduate who is looking for a job in this field?

• Put your best foot forward at all times. Focusing on just a few companies and making your application truly unique will help you stand out. For one of the jobs I applied for, I made an XR game in which they had to collect blocks in a forest and assemble them to spell out the company’s name. That’s a fantastic way to not only stand out, but also demonstrate your ability to create content using industry-standard software and technology. Showing off specific projects related to the job you’re applying for is another excellent way to land a position in a niche area. So, if you’re interested in XR, focus on that and demonstrate to employers that you’re highly skilled in that one area.

5. What’s one of your favorite memories from your time at Digital Worlds?

• I remember pulling all-nighters with my cohort in the Reality Lab and eating Five Star Pizza at 1 a.m. Those were definitely good times! It was wonderful to have a small cohort and a dedicated workspace, so thank you to DW for providing the Reality Lab and entrusting us with all of its cool tech. We worked on a lot of hackathon projects and won several awards, which proved to be beneficial once I finished the program.