Hugh Kennedy
Software developer and creative with a keen interest in graphics programming, data visualization, procedural generation, installation art, education and open source.
Work Experience
FreelanceCreative Technologist (2017 – present)
Recently returned to freelancing on short/medium-term contracts, specialising in frontend web development, JavaScript optimisation and graphics programming.
Google Creative Lab (Xpand Group)Creative Technologist / Fiver (2016 – 2017)
11-month contract at the Google Creative Lab in Sydney. The role covered a wide breadth of domains, including but not limited to graphics programming, computer vision, web development, ideation, prototyping and physical computing.
NodeSource JavaScript/WebGL Developer (2014 – 2015)
NodeSource is a 100% remote team which specializes in delivering enterprise software products and services with a focus on Node.js and its surrounding ecosystem for clients such as Yahoo, NASA, PayPal, Intuit and Google. Responsibilities included product development, tool development and data visualization using WebGL, node.js, d3.js and React.
Small Multiples Frontend Developer (2013)
Responsible for developing visualizations, tooling and improving Open Source workflow for the team using d3.js, browserify and Backbone. Clients include the Guardian, Australian Financial Review and Web Directions.
Present Company Web Developer (2012 – 2013)
Present Company is a digital marketing firm with a focus on social media. Handled the development and deployment of sites for clients including Qantas, The Rolling Stones, Red Bull and Semi-Permanent using tools such as Node.js, nginx, Varnish, AWS, d3.js and Fabric.
Freelance Design & Development (2010 – 2013)
Beginning with Flash, Wordpress and CakePHP sites before adopting Node.js and frontend JavaScript in late 2011.
Selected Projects
stack.gl2014 – 2016
Open and modular WebGL ecosystem that I maintain with a number of collaborators. This has led to the development of over 200 small libraries, tools, demos and educational resources – including larger projects such as WebGL Workshop, Shader School, glslb.in, glslify, and a chapter in WebGL Insights.
SEED2016
Seed is a web-based, "multilinear" novella that I helped create while working with the Google Creative Lab in Sydney. I was the lead developer on the project, also collaborating closely with my colleagues on prototyping and visual development.
Understanding npm2015
High-level visualization of the npm ecosystem intended to promote NodeSource. Responsible for design, development, analysis and aggregation.
N|Solid2015
N|Solid is an extension of Node.js that offers additional features useful for large-scale deployments. Worked on the tool's frontend interface, with a particular focus on designing and developing visualisations for performance analysis.
Web Directions South Opening Titles2013
Conference opening titles, rendered realtime in modern evergreen browsers such as Chrome and Firefox.
Education
BDes Photography and Situated Media (University of Technology, Sydney)2013
Study focused on the history, theory and practice of Photography, Installation Art, User Experience, Data Visualization and Digital Culture.
Other Engagements
- 2017: Frontend Lead on Story Spheres, Grumpy Sailor Creative
- 2017: Performance Consultation on Love By Numbers, Code on Canvas
- 2016: "JavaScript and Interactive Installations" at NodeConfAR, Buenos Aires
- 2016: Fragment Foundry at Electrofringe, Sydney
- 2016: Live Audiovisual Performance at CampJS, Sydney
- 2016: "Sculpting Implicit Surfaces" at Computer Graphics on the Web, Melbourne
- 2016: WebGL/React Development for Vikings: A World Revealed, Jam3
- 2015: "Bringing npm to Graphics Programming" at SFNode, CampJS and Utrecht JS
- 2015: Live Audiovisual Performance at NodeConf EU, Waterford, Ireland
- 2015: Live Audiovisual Performance at CampJS, Melbourne
- 2015: Node.js Intensive at Gray Area Foundation for the Arts, San Francisco
- 2015: NodeSchool workshop at ITP Camp, New York City
- 2014: Shader School at NodeConf, Marin County
- 2014: WebGL Workshop at CampJS, Queensland
- 2014: "A WebGL Show", Guest on NodeUp Podcast
- 2014: Organizer/tutor of NodeSchool Amsterdam
- 2014: WebMango, Applied Mathematics ANU via require.io
- 2013: "Building Modular Games for the Web" at CampJS, Queensland
- 2013: Assistant Tutor, Interaction-Based Designing at UTS, Sydney
- 2011: Mathematics Education Tool, International Grammar School Sydney
- 2010: Flash Developer (Intern), Bule|Fusion Worldwide