About
Experienced leader in Engineering, Design and Spatial interaction, recognised for innovation and adept leadership. Specialising in user-centric application design, I excel in fostering collaborative teamwork and implementing effective design strategies. Demonstrated success in crafting tailored solutions and resilient products, with proficiency in programming for both mobile and desktop platforms. Extensive background spanning over 10 years in augmented reality, virtual reality, mixed reality and haptic technologies. Full curriculum vitae provided upon request.
Engineering & Spatial Design Lead
- Email: daniel@djgriffiths.co.uk
- Location: Wales
- Status: Founder CosmosXR.io
Personal Interests: My personal interests encompass extensive world travel, with explorations across Europe, Canada, India, Australia, and Asia. I thrive on an active lifestyle, engaging in activities such as basketball, surfing, and SCUBA diving, where I hold a certification. My creative pursuits are equally prominent, as I possess a deep passion for game design, dedicating my spare time to crafting mobile games and their accompanying assets. I have an unwavering affection for all things creative and relish the challenge of discovering innovative means to convey the nuances of user centred product design.
Spatial Design Leadership
As an seasoned expert in spatial interaaction design leadership of mixed reality (MR), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), I specialize in crafting immersive spatial experiences. My passion lies in seamlessly blending the physical and digital realms, creating interactive environments that captivate and engage users.
As a design leader in spatial interaction, you must envision how spaces can transform user experiences. Think beyond the physical layout—consider how people move, interact, and feel within those spaces. Your ability to visualize and communicate spatial concepts is crucial.
Understand the needs, behaviors, and emotions of users within spatial contexts. Apply design thinking principles to create intuitive, inclusive, and human-centered spatial solutions. Empathy drives better spatial experiences.
Spatial challenges often require cross-disciplinary collaboration. Design leaders should excel at bringing together architects, urban planners, engineers, and other experts. Facilitate productive discussions, align goals, and find innovative solutions.
Spatial design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating meaningful places. Develop a strategic vision for spaces—whether they’re training environments, interiors, or urban environments. Consider cultural, social, and environmental factors amongst others
Spatial contexts evolve—whether due to technology, population shifts, or unforeseen events. Design leaders must adapt, iterate, and respond to changing needs. Be open to experimentation and learn from spatial dynamics.
Champion the importance of well-designed spaces. Advocate for spatial quality, sustainability, and user well-being. Influence stakeholders to invest in thoughtful spatial solutions.
Establish guidelines, patterns, and frameworks specific to spatial interaction. Whether it’s wayfinding, interactive installations, or augmented reality experiences, design systems ensure consistency and usability.
Measure the impact of spatial design. Data-driven insights guide continuous improvement.
Design Leadership
As a seasoned design professional, I bring a unique blend of expertise in design strategy, team collaboration, and forward-thinking vision. Below, I outline key skills that define my approach to effective design leadership:
Demonstrated ability to trust and empower team members, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment
Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution.
Proven track record of anticipating design trends and staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape.
Effective communicator who can articulate a clear vision and facilitate productive discussions and workshops.
Demonstrated ability to trust and empower team members, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment
Aligning design efforts with organisational goals, understanding business objectives, and user needs.
Comfortable with change, open to experimentation, and quick to learn new methodologies.
Passionate about promoting the impact of user centered design on user experience and business outcomes.
Engineering Leadership
Experienced Engineering Team Lead with a proven track record of successfully managing and guiding cross-functional technical teams. Proficient in project planning, process optimization, and fostering collaboration. Passionate about driving innovation and achieving project milestones
Align engineering efforts with organizational goals, foresee industry trends, and drive innovation.
Articulate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical customers and stakeholders.
Recruit, mentor, and empower engineers to perform at their best.
Make informed choices balancing technical feasibility, business impact, and user needs.
Adapt to change, iterate, and optimize processes.
Understand the technology stack and guide technical solutions.
Resolve disagreements constructively within the team with Radical Kandor principles
Resume
Summary
Daniel Griffiths
As an award-winning Experience Team Lead, I specialise in user-centered application design, with a track record of innovation and leadership. My expertise spans both spatial design and engineering, creating seamless experiences that blend form, function, and technical excellence. With a proven ability to collaborate, strategise, and engineer customized solutions, I bring more than 10 years of experience in augmented reality, virtual reality, and haptic technologies.
- Wales
- Daniel@djgriffiths.co.uk
- Note: Full CV available upon request !
Relevant Professional Experience
Experience Engineering Lead
Aug 2022 - November 2023
Ultraleap Ltd, Bristol, UK
Leading a cross-functional team responsible for the user experience of the haptic department. Active involvement in application development, with a 40/60 split between management and innovation. Responsible for CES, customer and in-house demonstrations, innovating AR windshield display spatial interaction for automotive original equipment manufacturers, and the experience of haptic technology interfaces. Specializing in spatial interaction research and development, as well as product user experience for haptic and tracking technology. I was responsible for managing a team of four, to do this I used a kind candour management style approach. I was also responsible for performance management, leading design workshops, scheduling, and project scoping and delivery for the team.
Creative Design Lead
Dec 2018 - Aug 2022
Ultraleap Ltd, Bristol, UK
This role involves working with bespoke external client requests and producing custom-made deliverables across a range of projects. I lead the creative vision, strategy, narrative, and implementation across digital products, including asset creation and implementation across all product life cycle stages. This role specialises in achieving “the finite magic of experience”.
Senior Application Designer
Feb 2018 - Dec - 2018
Ultrahaptics Ltd, Bristol, UK
Responsible for the visual design work in relevant demo/ applications projects from the start of conception to release. Preparing and facilitating conception workshops, leading high-level concept storyboarding, and refining demos through detailed design to release as part of the applications development process.
Software ENgineer
Jun 2016 - Feb 2018
Ultrahaptics Ltd
As a software engineer, I was responsible for the development of demos for the applications team using their haptic technology, working in a highly flexible and interactive environment, my strong problem-solving and creative thinking skills allow me to work across teams to satisfy the client and clients customers' needs.
Mobile Applicaiton developer & E-product design
Apr 2014 - Jun 2016
Mindfulness Health Ltd, Bath, UK
I created and customized Apps using Unity 3D, Java, and C#. I managed all application design phases - from coding and prototyping through system testing, integration, and deployment.Eccomerce webdesign and e-product design
Portfolio
First glance at some of the works I have completed
- All
- Appication and Demos
- VR/AR & Interactive
- 3d / Assets
- Software
Intreractive AR experience
Immerse yourself in an interactive AR experience that combines networked haptics with a choice between two interactions: rain and sunshine. As users engage, they’ll feel distinct haptic feedback sensations, creating a truly realistic encounter, complemented by accompanying audio.
Testimonials
Gareth Young
Senior UX Designer - Compare The Market
I had the pleasure of working with Daniel at Ultraleap for the best part of 5 years. During that time we worked closely together on some fantastic creative projects that showcased the potential of mid-air hand tracking and haptic devices for XR, digital signage and automotive industries. These projects included a mid-air gesture controlled infotainment system and an XR experience that demonstrated the use of mid-air interaction within augmented reality. Both of which were proudly shown at many client meetings and global events such as CES, and formed the basis for many of Ultraleap’s XR and automotive design guidelines. One of Daniel’s greatest strengths is to think outside the initial brief of a project and create concepts that take it to a level far beyond stakeholders’ original expectations. This combined with his excellent ability to lead creative projects and prototype 3D/XR applications makes him one of the most versatile creatives I’ve ever worked with. Finally, he’s extremely down to earth, a genuine character and pleasure to work with. A fantastic addition to any positive and upbeat team!
Ansa Butt
Design Director | Graphic Design, Marketing & Events
I have worked on several projects with Daniel, and he is an accomplished Creative Design Lead with a multi-disciplinary background of skills. Daniel has a great ability to captivate the vision of a product and communicate this to the development team to deliver products on tight deliverable time frames. His positive can-do attitude gets the best from the team and inspires others to think beyond what might be possible and create compelling narratives that express the core values of a product.
Matt Gray
Senior Unity Developer | Gameplay Engineer
I have worked closely with Daniel on multiple project where he would give key user-based insights that carve the journey and scope of the projects. He directs a vision that captivates an audience and ensures precision and polish throughout. In a key project we worked on Daniel was the Creative Design Lead on a project where I was the Technical Lead. We worked very closely and he ensured the creative vision he had designed at the beginning was consistent throughout. His dedication to the project allowed us to achieve a series of 'stretch goals' and a level of polish that we did not think would be possible in the short time frame we had. Daniel is a great person to be around at work and out of work and wants to help encourage the best in those around him.
Eddie Brown
Automotive Product Owner
I have had the pleasure of working with Daniel in varying capacities at Ultraleap, in all instances he has been a stellar colleague. More recently we have worked closely, myself as product owner and Daniel as the Experience Engineering Lead. Daniel has consistently led his team to deliver product requests on time and to a high standard. Some projects include mid-air haptics software tooling, spatial Augmented Reality Heads-Up Display (AR HUD) concepts, in-cabin spatial HMI, Mobile AR Experiences, research driving simulators and more. Daniel's acumen for creative vision is one of the most impressive I've come across. He'll receive product or client requirements and translate them into deliverables that far exceed expectations. As a leader, he has a knack for weathering any project turbulence to protect his team, this is a great asset as it allows his team to focus on getting the job done.
Elliot Padfield
Senior Techincal Artist at Preloaded
Daniel is such a delightful person to have around, he is able to lift the mood of anyone around him and continues to be a fantastic mentor for me even though we no longer work together. Daniel demonstrates rich experience in the creative industry and a real passion for digital artistry. He is innovative, enthusiastic and has an innate ability to think outside the box. He has helped me to improve in many professional areas and it has been a pleasure to be his mentee for all these years.
Contact
Location:
Bristol, UK
Email:
daniel@djgriffiths.co.uk
Call:
+44 7507 507517