João de Mendonça Salim
Interactive Designer · Creative Technologist · AI Researcher
Clermont, FL · github.com/joaosalim · linkedin.com/in/joaosalim
Creative technologist and human-centered design practitioner with a background in interactive experience design, narrative systems, and applied artificial intelligence. M.A. Digital Media candidate at UCF with peer-reviewed publications in games research and AI ethics. Demonstrated experience designing immersive public exhibits, developing multilingual digital products, and leading cross-functional projects from concept to launch. Fluent in Portuguese and English; international background informs a global perspective on guest experience and inclusive design.
Technical Skills
Programming & Frameworks
AI & Machine Learning
Design & Prototyping
3D Fabrication
Product & Marketing
Languages
Education
Expected May 2026
Master of Arts — Digital Media
University of Central Florida (UCF)
Dean's Fellowship Recipient · GPA: 4.0 · Thesis: AI, cognitive ethics, and academic identity
2024
Bachelor of Arts — Digital Media
University of Central Florida (UCF)
Seneff Honors College Scholar · Adam T. Lee Endowed Scholarship
2021
Associate of Arts — General Studies (Honors)
Valencia College — Seneff Honors Program
Experience
Research Assistant — AI, Games & Digital Culture
University of Central Florida — Dr. Sercan Sengun
2024 – Present
Orlando, FL
- Lead developer on DIRT (Disaster Image Recognition and Triage) — a multi-model deep learning pipeline for disaster response using YOLOv8 road damage detection and EfficientNet-B4 scene classification; achieved mAP50 > 0.75 across 4 geographic datasets
- Research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, ethics, creative labor, and digital culture; targeting publication in IEEE and ISCRAM venues
- Conduct structured research on cognitive implications of AI augmentation for knowledge workers in academic settings
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Central Florida — Nicholson School
2024 – Present
Orlando, FL
- Facilitate project-based learning for undergraduate digital media courses, mentoring students in interactive design, storytelling, and digital production
- Partner with faculty to develop instructional content aligned with Bloom's Taxonomy and Gagné's 9 Events framework
- Support maker space education initiatives to reduce barriers to emerging technology access
3D Printing Engineer / UI Designer / Frontend Developer
Newt Mobility
Jun 2023 – May 2025
Orlando, FL · 2 years
- Developed UI/UX concepts for mobile and web platforms; created interactive Figma prototypes and managed production timelines across cross-functional teams
- Built and deployed cross-browser web applications using Python, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS; contributed to full product lifecycle from conception through deployment
- Coordinated end-to-end 3D printing production pipeline — slicing, file preparation, and print optimization — across a lab of 10+ filament and 3 resin-based printers
- Designed marketing materials including logos, flyers, social media graphics, and web content using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
Founder & Product Developer
Florida Drive Easy
2023 – Present
Clermont, FL
- Designed and launched a multilingual DMV exam preparation web application serving users in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole
- Managed full product lifecycle including UX design, content strategy, SEO architecture, Google Ads Performance Max campaign management, and Stripe payment integration
Interactive Exhibit Designer & Student Curator
Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida
2021 – 2024
Orlando, FL
- Conceptualized and designed an interactive physical installation — credited alongside Ralph Appelbaum Associates on the official exhibition wall
- Collaborated with a cross-functional curatorial team spanning universities, community organizations, and the Orange County Regional History Center
- Received an Excellent evaluation from the Service Learning Program Coordinator
Maker Space Coordinator & Workshop Instructor
University of Central Florida
2023 – 2024
Orlando, FL
- Designed and delivered community-facing workshops on fabrication technologies including Resin Printing Basics 101 and Painting Resin Printed Models 101
- Increased hands-on technology access for underrepresented learners through accessible curriculum design
Publications & Presentations
Community Contextualization of Mobile Game Ads Through YouTube Essays
Games Research and Practice — ACM
Cataloging the World Exhibition: A Living Survey of Physical World Representations in Videogames
iLRN 2026 — Greece
A Graduate Student Perspective on AI Augmentation, Ethics, and the Emergence of the Academic Cyborg
Frontiers in Computer Science
Exploring the Diffusion Potential of a Collaborative Mobile Platform for Disaster Management and Relief
UCF STARS Repository — Undergraduate Thesis (2024)