# Sammi K.

> Creative Design Leader, driving innovation through player experience.

Location: Oakland, California, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/sammik

Creative design leader shaping cross-platform AAA experiences and taking new IPs from 0→1. I lead global teams and bridge the gap between players and complex systems through clear, consistent, and accessible design. I’m driven by creative exploration, player empathy, and empowering teams to elevate ideas through thoughtful player-centered design.

I’m especially interested in how emerging technologies, new interaction models, and cross-disciplinary collaboration can reshape the future of play. I love working in environments that value experimentation, curiosity, and bold ideas.

## Work Experience
### Head of User Experience Design, Global Studios @ NetEase Games
Jan 2023 – Present
Function Head of UI/UX, working with exciting new AAA game studios globally.

### UI/UX Director @ Striking Distance Studios
Jan 2019 – Jan 2023 | San Ramon, California
Led the UI/UX team from 0-1. The Callisto Protocol - AAA narrative-driven survival horror game released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

### AI/ML R&D (Freelance) at Google Stadia @ Google
Jan 2019 – Jan 2019 | San Francisco Bay Area
Designed core UX and interaction flows where players trained AI powered robots to battle using Reinforcement Learning.

Collaborated with ML engineers to visualize feedback loops and player impact on autonomous behaviors.

### UX R&D (Freelance) @ Riot Games
Jan 2019 – Jan 2019
R&D contract on Project L

UX Design conceptualization on Social aspects of Fighting Games

### AR R&D (Freelance) @ Apple
Jan 2018 – Jan 2019
UX Research & Development

Conducted field research and design exploration for a stealth AR project, shaping spatial interaction models for utility and environmental interaction use cases

### UI/UX Director @ Outpost
Jan 2018 – Jan 2018
• Spearheaded the revamp of UI art style and user flows for S.O.S Battle Royale, enhancing player engagement.  
• Implemented live-service features and content updates in Unreal 4

### Director of UX & Design, VR (Sansar) @ Linden Lab
Jan 2015 – Jan 2018
• Led the design and development of the user experience for Sansar from 0-1. A pioneering VR platform aimed at shaping the Metaverse.
• Conducted extensive piloting programs with Second Life content creators to gather valuable feedback on usability and enhance user engagement.  
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure a cohesive and innovative VR experience, to drive user engagement and retention.

### Product Design / Creative Director @ Intel Corporation
Jan 2014 – Jan 2015 | San Francisco, California, United States
- Reinvented and rebranded Intel's Pocket Avatars app to "YAP!" Intended to be a fun, expressive way to communicate on mobile.
- Provided design direction on user flow, interface, 3D Character Art Direction and Branding
- Utilized Intel's 3D facial recognition technology to map a user's facial expressions onto animated avatars, allowing them to create and send personalized video messages. 
- The facial recognition technology tracked over 30 points on a user's face, enabling it to accurately reproduce expressions like winks, smiles, and tongue movements on the avatar. 
- Was available on iOS and Android

### User Experience Director @ EA
Jan 2006 – Jan 2014 | EARS


## Education
### Master of Fine Arts - MFA in Design + Technology
Parsons School of Design - The New School

### Bachelor of Arts - BA in Art Practice
University of California, Berkeley


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sammikim

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Source: https://flows.cv/sammik
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/sammik/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-04-13