Jackson Vanderheyden
Welcome to my portfolio!
I am a junior at Iowa State University, currently pursuing a degree in Software Engineering with an anticipated graduation date of Spring 2025. My passion for mathematics and pushing the boundaries of visual experiences has led me to explore various aspects of graphical programming, and I am excited to share my journey with you.
As a game developer intern at VRAC, I was the lead programmer on a virtual reality simulation project for the Iowa Department of Transportation. This experience honed my skills in tackling real-world challenges and collaborating within a team to deliver impactful solutions.
My portfolio showcases projects that delve into graphical programming techniques. From implementing compute shaders to exploring fur rendering and delving into ray tracing, each project reflects my initial steps to mastering the art and science of graphics programming. These experiences have equipped me with a solid foundation and a creative mindset to tackle complex problems in the field.
Looking ahead, I am excited to expand my knowledge and skills with an upcoming computer game and media programming course, where I plan to develop real-time volumetric smoke rendering techniques, drawing inspiration from Guerrilla Games's volumetric cloudscapes presentation. I also sought out an independent study where I will be focusing on creating a high-level wrapper for the Vulkan graphics API. The library aims to allow users to effortlessly create a real-time, physically based render of a user-authored scene. I am excited to share my progress as I dive into these topics.
Thank you for visiting my portfolio. I invite you to explore my projects and learn about my experiences. If you share a passion for pushing the boundaries of real-time rendering techniques, I would love to connect and explore opportunities for collaboration and learning.
