Dewald de Jager

Email: dewald.dj@hotmail.com

Tel: 081 361 0755

U15188800

About Me:

My most defining characteristic is probably my perfectionism. Although this has proven to be both a strength and a weakness, I have learnt to leverage it into being the former.

I started programming at the age of 7, using Visual Basic, after one of my dad's colleagues had left some textbooks at our house. In my early teens I started doing freelancing work, mainly in web development, until I landed a part-time position at a game development studio (BrightMind Studios) based in Cape Town. I led a team of 3 as we worked on a series of brain-training puzzle games. My next position was quite a leap from the last. I was employed as lead designer for a 3D shooter game by a studio (Bonozo) based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where I was in charge of making critical decisions and leading a team (40 - 50 people) of artists, developers, musicians and testers. After a few more years of freelancing I joined a South African media agency (MadePod) as head of development and equal shareholder. Our portfolio included Carte Blanche, Sage, Jacaranda FM and Netcare.

I eventually left to further my studies and focus on my own company. I am currently finishing a degree in computer science and working as a research assistant at both the System Specifications and Formal Methods (SSFM) research group and the Computational Intelligence Research Group (CIRG). I am a firm believer in being a life-long learner and am continually striving to improve myself. I value the opinion of others and think it can be observed in my daily actions that I aim to make the world a better place. I also like to think I have a good sense of humour. My skillset includes various programming languages (Though a new one is easily learnt), leadership, project management, technical expertise and practical engineering skills.

Ernst Eksteen

Email: ernsteksteen@gmail.com

Tel: 072 442 4636

U28398603

About Me:

I have a prior honors degree from the University of Pretoria in Information Design. This has given me a deep understanding of design principles, such as human computer interaction, basic philosophy and some psychology with regards to media and social interaction. I also have technical skills involving design implementation, ranging from Photoshop to basic 3D applications such as Blender modeling, to post-processing work in After Effects for animation. I worked for three years as a designer and animator at one of South Africa’s top production companies, Monarchy Productions, and thus I am no stranger to following clients’ brief and working towards mutual satisfying products that are to the best of my ability.

I am currently studying a BSc in IT to further my horizons and my interests, as I have a love for creative problem solving and find that both Information Design and Computer Science satisfy this. I strive to merge the two more closely though, once I start working again. I am particularly interested in A.I. but mainly in regards to its role of emergent narrative in gameplay, for I have always been interested in computer games and their study and development and I have a passion for all games ranging from board games to card games to role-playing games to video games, and it would not be an understatement to say that a lot of my career decisions and interests of study is affected by this.

I tend to be a more people and emotionally driven person than most other computer scientists, i.e. more feeling than thinking, and as such I enjoy working as a team and aiding in communication wherever possible, getting a kick out of others doing really well. I also hate giving up or admitting defeat to something I know I can overcome and as such I tend to be very driven and hard working.

My interests include: Computers, games of all kinds and their study (i.e. Ludology), illustration, painting, #D modeling and sculpting, Design, A.I., Robotics, Puzzles and Problem Solving, Human-Computer Interaction.

Vignesh Iyer

Email: arjunvignesh10@gmail.com

Tel: 079 798 8910

U15031625

About Me:

I am currently completing the final year of my degree (BSc Computer Science). From a young age, I developed an interest in computers and as a result decided to pick Information Technology (IT) as one of my subjects in Grade 9. The interest was only further cultivated due to which I ended picking Computer Science as my field of choice.

Apart from the main-stream CS modules I have taken three elective modules - Compiler Construction, Artificial Intelligence and Computer Grpahics. I enjoy working mostly on back-end programming (i.e. more algorithmic in nature).

My academic record has been consistently of a good standard so far. I am generally a hard-worker by nature and am excited by the prospeccts of 301 Capstone Project. I look forward to work with the prospecctive client and user in delivering a successful final product.

Regan Koopmans

Email: u15043143@tuks.co.za

U15043143

About Me:

I am third-year Computer Science student at the University of Pretoria. I have been interacting with computers as long as I can remember, and they have become an integral part of my life. I enjoy being challenged, and find the greatest satisfaction learnnig something new. I am continually inspired by the great Computer Science minds of modern history, and my colleagues around me.

In my second year, I worked as a technical assistant for the Computer Science Department, which entailed managing servers and developing the University's Computer Science website. I have also taken part in a number of programming competitions, namely the Standard Bank IT Challenge and the ACM Collegiate Programming Competition.

I am interested in Theoretical Computer Science, number theory and theories of computation. I am passionate about open-source software, and creating software that is not only conceptually engaging, but practically useful.

Craig van Heerden

Email: crvheerden@gmail.com

Tel: 071 252 6999

U15029779

About Me:

I am a full time computer geek and can't get enough of technology. I developed a interest in programming when a friend convinced me to take IT at school. I quickly found that I had an aptitude for programming an my love for solving problems with software grew from there. I always challenge my self to find new and innovative ways to solve problems I encounter.

Some of my skills include:

• Web Development
• Java Application Development
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Graphics
• Networking

I have worked on a few web development projects like Faber Vervoer's website and ElecTech.

I also enjoy tinkering with my Raspberry Pi and building IoT projects with it. I have built a email to SMS API, a diy Steam Link and a few other smaller projects with the Raspberry Pi.

When I am not in front of a computer screen I enjoy outdoor activities like running, mountain biking and swimming.