CURRICULUM VITAE

Atticus Sims

atticus@studio-pollen.com

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Interdisciplinary researcher and educator advancing the integration of AI technologies in creative practice and arts education. Currently serving as Specially Appointed Associate Professor at Kyoto Seika University's Faculty of Media Creation while leading a president-funded investigation into pedagogical frameworks for open-source AI tools. Research examines the systematic implementation of diffusion models and generative frameworks in artistic production, with particular focus on developing curricula and methodologies for AI-driven visual media creation. This academic work is enriched by prior industry experience founding an immersive media production company that created XR experiences for heritage sites and cultural institutions. Current projects include international collaborations exploring AI's creative applications, exemplified by "The Metamorphosis of Plants" exhibition investigating evolutionary principles through machine learning, and a permanent installation at Hong Kong Baptist University visualizing knowledge structures through algorithmic composition. Active contribution to international discourse through workshops and symposia, including recent collaborations with the University of Macau examining AI implementation in creative contexts. Currently conducting doctoral research on educational methodologies for emerging technologies while teaching courses that bridge technical understanding with creative development.

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS AND RESEARCH

Current Position

Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Faculty of Media Creation, Kyoto Seika University

Academic Status

PhD Candidate in Fine Arts (Expected completion: March 2026)

Dissertation: "Practice and Pedagogy of AI Art Tools: From Artistic Research to Educational Framework"

Research Focus

AI-Assisted Creative Practice

Investigates the integration of AI tools across fine art and design practices, examining how emerging technologies transform artistic production and creative methodologies. Current work focuses on developing frameworks for implementing open-source AI tools in both traditional and digital art creation, with particular attention to how these tools can augment rather than replace established artistic practices.

AI Systems in Arts Education

Creates and evaluates pedagogical approaches for teaching AI-aided creation in higher education, with emphasis on fine arts curricula. Documents the implementation and outcomes of AI tool adoption through systematic assessment and case studies. Develops strategies for balancing technical instruction with artistic development in contemporary arts education.

EDUCATION

PhD | Doctoral Program in Arts, Graduate School of Fine Arts

Kyoto Seika University | Kyoto, Japan

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA | TESP - Educational Management

Aston University | Birmingham, UK

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE | Sustainable Business Management

Anaheim University | California, USA

BACHELOR OF ARTS | Applied Linguistics (min. Mathematics)

Portland State University | Oregon, USA

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Instructor, Introduction to XR (2022 - present) Kyoto Seika University

  • Designed and teach hands-on course in XR technologies, focusing on VR, AR, and 3D scanning
  • Lead students in developing VR environments using Unity and Blender, and creating web-based AR applications
  • Introduce advanced 3D scanning techniques including photogrammetry, NeRF, and Gaussian Splatting

Instructor, Image Engineering (2022 - present) Kyoto Seika University

  • Developed comprehensive lecture course on digital imaging fundamentals and technologies
  • Cover visual perception, color theory, digital image structure, and advanced camera technologies
  • Engage students with practical applications of concepts in digital photography and image processing

Instructor, Introduction to Programming (2021 - present) Kyoto Seika University

  • Serve as primary curriculum designer for department-wide required programming course
  • Teach Python and JavaScript (p5.js), emphasizing practical application in creative contexts
  • Develop and implement course materials, examinations, and assessment criteria

Instructor, Seminar: Immersive Media and Creative Intelligence (2022 - present) Kyoto Seika University

  • Lead advanced two-year course integrating lectures and applied practice for upper-level undergraduates
  • Guide students in creating projects that combine VR, AR, generative AI, 3D technologies, and web development
  • Foster interdisciplinary approach, bridging technology and creative expression

Instructor, Social Practice: Kyoto Living History Archive (2022 - present) Kyoto Seika University

  • Direct year-long course focused on documenting and preserving Kyoto's living history through digital means
  • Instruct students in utilizing a mix of traditional media, immersive technologies, and AI for documentation
  • Oversee development of public-facing digital archive, emphasizing practical application of media skills

EFL Instructor and Educational Entrepreneur (2007 - 2016) Various Institutions, Japan

  • Spearheaded ESL instruction across multiple educational levels: pre-school to university
  • Founded, managed, and developed curriculum for a private language school
  • Cultivated adaptive teaching methodologies for diverse learning environments and student needs

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CO-FOUNDER, STUDIO POLLEN

Kyoto, Japan

Lead interdisciplinary art-science collaborative developing AI-driven artworks and installations

CEO / FOUNDER, KYOTO VR

Kyoto, Japan

Led VR/AR preservation initiatives for UNESCO sites, directing interdisciplinary teams, international partnerships, and immersive experience development

OWNER, ENGLISH+ LANGUAGE SCHOOL

Kyoto, Japan

EFL INSTRUCTOR

Kyoto, Japan

ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Event Organizer: Sound and Light Projection Mapping

Kyoto Seika University
  • Organized campus-wide multimedia event including large scale projection mapping
  • Coordinated student, staff, and faculty contributions, technical and logistic implementation

Invited Lecturer: University of Macau Faculty of Arts and Design

University of Macau
  • Conducted lectures and workshops for doctoral students on open-source AI image synthesis tools
  • Facilitated discussions on AI integration in arts education

Invited Lecturer: Integrating AI into Contemporary Arts Practice

Ritsumeikan University Advanced Intelligent Systems Laboratory, Graduate School of Information Science and Engineering
  • Presented on the implementation and impact of AI in contemporary arts practice

Judge: Art Futures Award

Hong Kong Baptist University
  • Served as first round judge for ART FUTURES, an international art award for outstanding recent graduates in the field of visual arts and associated contemporary art practices.

Research Presentation: Al Artwork Workflow and Style Customization

Katayose Laboratory, Kwansei Gakuin University
  • Presented research on customization techniques for Al art creation
  • Demonstrated practical applications of open-source tools

Exhibition Curator: Seeds & Echoes: Exploring AI Art

Kyoto Seika University
  • Organized and curated group exhibition showcasing AI-generated artworks by graduate and undergraduate students
  • Conducted preparatory Al Art workshop series and mentorship program
  • Notable outcome: Student work from exhibition won President's Award in 2023 graduation exhibition

Symposium Organizer: Redefining Artistic Expression: Al's Impact on Creativity and Education in the Arts

Shared Campus Consortium, Kyoto Seika University and Zurich University of the Arts
  • Led hybrid in-person and online symposium exploring Al's influence on artistic creativity and education

Workshop Series Facilitator: Al Art Fundamentals

Kyoto Seika University
  • Conducted university-wide workshop on generative Al art using open-source tools
  • Researched student utilization of Al technologies in artistic production
  • Explored pedagogical approaches for teaching Al art tools

Lecture: "The Future of Creative Intelligence"

Singularity University, Kyoto Chapter
  • Presentation on the impact of generative Al on the art and creative industries and how they will shape the future of media.

Guest instructor: Fundamentals of 3D Scanning for Human Environment Design

Faculty of Design, Human Environment Design Course, Kyoto Seika University
  • Provided technical instruction and practical application of 3D scanning at the Kyoto University Experimental Forest

Project Leader: International Arts Entrepreneurship Student Workshop Series

Shared Campus, Kyoto Seika University
  • Led interdisciplinary student teams in developing creative start-up business proposals through entrepreneurial thinking workshops across international partner universities

GRANTS

2024 P.I., 'Navigating the AI Revolution in Art Education: A Comprehensive Study'

Kyoto Seika University President's Designated Research Grant

Leading investigation into effective integration of generative AI tools in university arts curricula. Examining pedagogical approaches, stakeholder perceptions, and ethical guidelines for AI in art education in order to develop a framework for responsible AI integration in creative academic contexts

2022 P.I., 'On the Design and Implementation of a Generative Art System Driven by Bio-signals'

Kyoto Seika University Grant-in-Aid for Individuals

Conducted research on the design and implementation of a bio-signal driven generative art system for the exploration of the role of consciousness in artistic expression.

2022 Co.I., 'Development of an Online Platform for Multicultural Poetry Reading'

Kyoto Seika University President's Designated Research Grant

Co-Investigator in developing multimedia online platform linking MIT and Kyoto Seika University for experimental art performance and cross-cultural exchange.

2018 Project Director, 'Traditional Arts x New Technology: Noh Theater Appreciation through AR'

Kyoto City / Agency for Cultural Affairs Grant

As CEO of KYOTO VR, directed winning proposal and execution of innovative AR platform for traditional Noh theater performances, exhibited at the 2018 Japan Media Arts Expo, Rohm Theater, Kyoto.

PUBLICATIONS

2024 'A Survey of the Generative AI Animation Ecosystem: Techniques, Tools, and Artistic Practice'

Nicograph International

2020 'Constructing Reality: VR and the Formless Mind'

Kyoto Journal, Vol 98, pages 104 - 111

IN PREPARATION

'Implementing a Constructionist Framework for AI Art Education: A Mixed-Methods Study of Workshop and Seminar Approaches (2023-2024)'

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

  • ACM SIGGRAPH
  • International Artificial Intelligence in Education Society (IAIED)

EXHIBITIONS AND PERFORMANCES (selected)

Permanent Installation: "Tree of Knowledge" (as Studio Pollen)

Hong Kong Baptist University Library, Hong Kong

Created 40-meter high banner utilizing circle packing algorithm to arrange 200,000 circles in neural network patterns representing the organization of human knowledge.

Performance: "The Art of Music Ensemble"

Kyoto, Japan

Resident artist performing live video mixing using AI and generative techniques with an experimental ensemble.

Exhibition: "The Metamorphosis of the Plants" (as Studio Pollen)

The Hong Kong Club, Hong Kong

Debut exhibition exploring connections between AI latent space and evolutionary design in orchids through year-long experimentation with AI image generation techniques.

Group Exhibition: "Urban Species Part 1: Desire" (as Studio Pollen)

7A Chancery Lane, Hong Kong

Multimedia installation combining video, wallpaper, and 3D-printed sculpture created using custom machine learning model trained on extensive orchid taxonomy.

Solo Exhibition: "GLASSWORK"

Kyoto, Japan

Video and printed works exploring concepts of pareidolia through generative 3D processes depicting biological objects as glass sculptures.

Video Installation: "YORU ZAZEN"

Koshoji Temple (興聖寺), Kyoto, Japan

Site-specific generative video installation integrating traditional temple aesthetics with evolving mandala-like imagery generated through custom algorithms.

Exhibition: "10 10 10 Days in a City"

Kyoto, Japan

Co-curated official satellite exhibition for Kyotographie International Photography festival featuring 20 photographers from global and local perspectives.

Exhibition: "EMERGENCE I"

Kyoto, Japan

Series of images and video installations utilizing recursive algorithms to explore self-similarity in nature and consciousness through mandala-like imagery.

Exhibition: "NOxAR: Noh Theater in Mixed Reality" (as Kyoto VR)

Japan Media Arts Expo, Rohm Theater, Kyoto

Led interdisciplinary project coordinating collaboration between cultural institutions, universities, and international team to present Noh performances in mixed reality.

Exhibition: "KYOTO VR X Reylia Slaby" (as Kyoto VR)

Kyoto Nuit Blanche Art Festival, Yuhisai Kodokan, Kyoto

Created interactive virtual environment integrating 3D-scanned heritage sites with photography to blend physical and digital spaces.

Performance: VR Live Paintings Series

Yokai Soho, Kyoto and Limits Digital Art Battle, Osaka, Japan

Series of live virtual reality painting performances exploring real-time artistic expression.

LANGUAGES

English: Native | Japanese: Fluent (spoken)

REFERENCES

Available upon request.