About.
NERD. DESIGNER.
Education
Bachelor’s of Environmental Design | University of Colorado | Boulder, CO | May, 2005
Employment
Director of Technology and Visualization | Metta Urban Design| Denver, CO | Current
Lead Design Visualization Specialist | WSP | Denver, CO | January 2021 – December 2023
Director of Visualization | Moore Iacofano Goltsman (MIG) | Denver, CO | August 2012 – December 2020
Visualization Specialist | Winston Associates | Boulder, CO | February 2003 – August 2012 (merger with MIG)
Undergraduate Professor of SketchUp | University of Colorado | Boulder, CO | Spring 2006 – Fall 2008, Fall 2009
Graduate Professor of Graphics for Planners | University of Colorado | Denver, CO | Spring 2009
Summer Intern | Slarks & Associates Inc | Boulder, CO | Summer 1998
Summer Intern | Computer Terrain Mapping | Boulder, CO | Summer 1997
Summer Intern | Design Workshop | Denver, CO | Summer 1996
Awards
National APA Honors Award for Technology | 2019 | Orem State Street Rezoning
Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan | 2009 | Kigali Comprehensive Plan Master Plan
Publications
Planetizen Course | VR for Planners | 2018
Professional Involvement
Speaker | National APA Conference | 2007-2008, 2018 | 3D Visualization and the Development Review Process, VR and Community Engagement
Speaker | Colorado APA Conference | 2008, 2011 | 3D Visualization and Engaging the Public
Speaker | Colorado ASLA Conference | 2006 | 3D Visualization and Engaging the Public
Speaker | Community Matters | 2006-2007, 2010 | 3D Visualization and Tools
Work.
PORTFOLIO SAMPLE.
VR / Realtime
Landscape Design
Corridors / Streetscape Design
Urban Design / Planning
These samples represent work that was completed either exclusively by myself or within a team that I oversaw graphics production for while at Winston Associates or MIG.
Experience.
15+ years of integrating technology with the design practice.
In my 15+ years of professional experience I have worn a lot of hats: CAD/GIS Technician, Planner, Designer, Visualization Specialist, Mentor, Software Developer, IT Support, Web Master, Director of Visualization.
My technical experience allows me to anticipate what is needed to knit together the countless moving parts of a project into a coherent visual experience.
My management experience allows me to use each project to incrementally improve staff’s capability, deepen the digital resources library, and expand a firm’s portfolio strategically.
VR / REAL-TIME
My background in computer science has enabled me to create custom VR and real-time visualization software that has been on the cutting edge for over a decade. While most designers are limited to tools that are commercially available to everyone … I am not.
Virtual reality and real-time visualization requires a production approach significantly different than the traditional pre-rendered one. 3D modeling conventions need to be adhered to so that every last bit of performance can be squeezed out of computer hardware. Bad VR experiences result in vomiting … and that is not good for anyone.
NON-FICTIONAL VISUALIZATION
Working with real world data to create visualizations that not only tell a story but are technically accurate is a specialty of mine. My deep bench of software expertise allows me to utilize data from many sources and seamlessly weave them together. From large scale environmental simulations to legal disputes, my ability to create simulations that hold up to scrutiny is part of my professional reputation.
MENTORSHIP
Design is a team sport and I like to win. Anecdotally, for about the past decade it has been the standard practice to shuffle desks around so that new staff sits next to me. I take pride in molding junior staff into highly capable associates that reinforce the foundations of the company. By cultivating robust technical capabilities, professional expectations, design sense, and passion … none of my mentees gets picked last for a team.
DESIGN + VISUALIZATION
Design visualization is not something that happens at the eleventh hour, well it is but, it also should be integrated into the design process. Pixels cost time and money to produce. By continuously evolving the production/design workflow in ways to stay nimble, reuse resources, and incrementally work towards the final product, the cost per pixel decreases and our impact on the built environment increases.
PASSION
I love what I do. It is quite literally the job I have wanted since I first clicked a mouse. Creating virtual places to better the real world is my purpose and my passion.
Skills.
COMPUTERS LIKE ME.
It’s hard to quantify a near life time of experience into progress bars with arbitrary percentages … but its all the rage these days. Here is a list of software/technology that I am versed in.
NOT JUST COMPUTERS, THE SPACES BETWEEN BUILDINGS LIKE ME TOO.
Beyond my technical capabilities, I am a student of the built landscape, every vacation, every errand, every commute … I study the built world and look for ways to improve it. Being the virtual pencil for countless design efforts has honed my design capabilities. Filling in the gaps in others’ concepts and napkin sketches has become one of my greatest strengths.
Clients.
PEOPLE AND PLACES.
Some people and places where the collaboration went especially well.
“Awesome.”
JASON BENCH
CITY OF OREM UTAH – PLANNING DIVISION MANAGER
“Your work is invaluable. I hope you know how much its appreciated.”
STEVEN WILLIAMS
SUPERIOR, COLORADO – SENIOR PLANNER
“
Wow, these images are incredible, thank you for the tremendous effort.”
TIM WATKINS
LAYTON, UTAH – SENIOR PLANNER
“Over the years Chase has helped Carson City tremendously.”
LEE PLEMEL
CARSON CITY ,NEVADA – COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR