Summary
David Elliott is an artist who strives to use simple materials to address complex concepts. He has a background in photography from International Center of Photography in New York and fine art from San Francisco Art Institute. He is primarily interested in social conceptual work that touches on games, psychology, politics and design.
Specialties
Building prototypes in software and electronics. Researching technologies to help realize designs. Brainstorming concepts. Making proposals. Project documentation. Project management.
Most used technologies: AS3, Python, Java/Processing, Arduino/AVR, Adobe CS.
Exhibitions
Gadget OK (2009) Los Angeles
Game Night at Monte Vista (2009) Los Angeles
Piksel09 (2009) Bergin, Norway
Disposable Film Festival (2009) New York
ISEA (2009) Belfast
Disposable Film Festival (2009) San Francisco
Pocket Films Festival (2009) Paris
Reverse Ark (2009), Baltimore Contemporary Museum
2009 MFA Exhibition (2009), New Wight Gallery, UCLA
Small Truths (2008), New Wight Gallery, UCLA
Mega3 (2008), New Wight Gallery, UCLA
Education
University of California, Los Angeles
MFA, Design / Media Arts, 2007 – 2009
San Francisco Art Institute
BFA, Design + Technology, 2004 – 2007
International Center of Photography
Certificate Program in General Studies, 2002 – 2003
Experience
Project Manager UCLA Game Lab
June 2009 – present
Helping to create augmented reality games featuring the Nokia N810 for Eddo Stern.
Artist’s Assistant at Jennifer Steinkamp’s studio
June 2009 – present
Assist in technical research, prototyping electronics and artwork installation.
Design Media Arts Department Summer Institute at UCLA
June 2009 – July 2009 (2 months)
Instructor for the game design course at the UCLA Design Media Arts department Summer Institute.
Teaching Associate at UCLA
September 2007 – August 2009
Helping faculty and visiting lecturers teach courses in game design, software and electronics
Graduate Student at UCLA
August 2007 – August 2009
Design Media Arts Department Summer Institute at UCLA
June 2008 – July 2008 (2 months)
Instructor for the game design course at the UCLA Design Media Arts department Summer Institute.
Intern at Hello Design
July 2007 – August 2007 (2 months)
Freelance Photographic Retoucher
January 2004 – January 2007 (3 years 1 month)
For various commercial photographers in the bay area.
Artist’s Assistant at Sam Samore’s studio
June 2003 – June 2005 (2 years 1 month)
Photographic retoucher and artist assistant during the summers.
Honors and Awards
UCLA Design | Media Arts Fellowship Award (2008-2009)
Bernard Osher Foundation merit-based scholarship (2004-2007)
Recommendations
“David was definitely passionate about solving problems and learning new things. He helped us with our R+D work at Hello and was very hands-on and curious. He always had a good attitude and was great to work with.”
— David Lai, CEO/Creative Director, Hello Design, managed David at Hello Design
“David Elliott is one of my grad students. He’s an extremely smart and talented guy, with an interesting background history. He’s into gaming but also into mind games (in a very funny and positive way) and I think what makes him stand out is his great sense of humor that he brings to the art and science world.”
— Henri Lucas, Chair, UCLA School of Arts & Architecture, worked directly with David at UCLA
“David is one of the most organized, engaged, and committed people I have worked with. His work is situated within a potent interchange of art, society and politics which facilitates discourse and reveals human relations that populate these spheres. His work questions and challenges the systems in which we exist not by preaching, but by informal, improvisational activities that allow for moments of surprise to connect people who might not normally make an opportunity to exchange. He is a bridge whose work connects cultures, social norms, and hearts.”
— Amy Franceschini, taught David at San Francisco Art Institute
