Kalle Bladin


About Kalle Bladin


I am a computer science engineer with a masters degree in Media Technology from Linköping University, Sweden. I work as a research programmer at USC Institute for Creative Technologies. In the Vision and Graphics Lab we develop technology for modeling and understanding of visual media; particularly face and body imagery, through scanning, data gathering, and learning of complex features.

Related to an interest in space science, I did some work in astronomical visualization for large scale dome theatres at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and Norrköpings Visualization Centre in Sweden. This work was part of the open source astro visualization software OpenSpace.

During my engineering studies I finished a lot of small projects, many of which can be found under Other Projects. These projects stretch from games and animation to simulations, visualization and other computer graphics related topics.

My artistic side and interest in drawing and painting has led to some work as an illustrator on freelance basis. I find it interesting how science and technology can be used to enhance artistic creativity and I often try to find applications for this.

For a more compact version of my resume, see links below. For more info follows a detailed overview of my work experience and education.

Download C.V. in Swedish

Download C.V. in English

Work Experience


USC Institute for Creative Technologies
September 2017 - Current

Computer graphics research programmer developing real time rendering for human face models using high quality facial scans for use in visualization and production of training data for machine learning research. Redefined and unified processing pipeline for facial scans at scale.

Linköping University / Norrköpings Visualiseringscenter
February 2017 - September 2017

Research engineer for Linköping University at Visualization Centre C. Producing interactive content for scientific visualization in immersive environments such as planetarium domes, interactive touch tables and virtual reality.

American Museum of Natural History
March 2016 - September 2016

I worked at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), New York, in collaboration with NASA, developing a real time visualization of NASA´s space mission ORIRIS-REx. I worked on the development of the software OpenSpace, using NASA NAIF´s SPICE interface to accurately show the space-craft´s orbit and its imaging campaign taking photos of potential landing sites on the asteroid Bennu.

My time at AMNH started as an internship, for my master thesis project developing planetary mapping serives for OpenSpace, which is a free software developed as a collaboration between AMNH, NASA and Linköping University among others. The aim of the project is to visualize space science and bring it to the public through immersive experiences such as live planetarium shows and streamed events.

I worked on enabling rendering of high fidelity globe browsing through mapping of real world data of planets and moons, streamed at scale in real time. More info on my master thesis project can be found here.

Attentec
June 2015 - August 2015

I spent the summer of 2015 working together, in a team of four people, on developing a mobile racing game to be used in the branding of the company.

Linköping University
September 2012 - March 2013

When I was studying at the University, I was employed as a mathematics tutor, teaching new students in the mathematics foundation course, linear algebra and calculus.

Self Employed Illustrator
January 2010 - June 2013

Before my engineering studies I founded my own individual company working as an illustrator on freelance basis. I illustrated the childrens book "Tidspiraten" which is an educational story about two kids traveling in time. I have also illustrated a few album covers and advertisements for shows as well as logotypes. Some of my work as an illustrator can be found under Artwork.

Education


Linköping University
August 2015 - June 2016

Master of Science in Media Technology and Engineering at Linköping University is an engineering degree in computer science with direction towards computer graphics and visualization. I focused on taking project courses involving low level real time graphics programming. Below is a list of seven courses I took my last year of studying. Average grade: 4.71 out of 5.0.

  • Advanced Global Illumination and Rendering (TNCG15)
  • Artificial Intelligence for Interactive Media (TNM095)
  • Techniques for Advanced Computer Games (TSBK03)
  • Multicore- and GPU-Programming (TDDD56)
  • SFX - Tricks of the Trade (TNCG13)
  • Procedural Methods for Images (TNM084)
  • VR Technology (TNM086)

Nanyang Technological University
July 2014 - May 2015

One exchange year at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore involved many courses in computer science and digital media technology. Average grade: 4.33 out of 5.0.

  • Neural Networks (CZ4042)
  • Artificial Intelligence (CZ3005)
  • 3D Modeling & Reconstruction (DM6122)
  • Introduction To Games Design (DM6127)
  • Digital Video Processing (EE4478)
  • Computer Networks (CE3005)
  • Scientific Visualization (DM6123)
  • 2D and 3D Animation (DM6104)
  • Human Computer Interaction (DM6121)

Linköping University
August 2011 - June 2014

Bachelor of Science in Media Technology and Engineering gave a solid base in mathematics, physics and programming for further engineering studies. Average grade: 4.92 out of 5.0.

  • Mathematics foundation course for engineering studies (TNA001)
  • Linear algebra (TNA002)
  • Calculus I (TNA003)
  • Calculus II (TNA004)
  • Applied mathematics in technology and science (TNA005)
  • Calculus III (TNA006)
  • Vector calculus (TNA007)
  • Object oriented programming (TND002)
  • Data structures and algorithms (TND004)
  • Programming foundation course (TND012)
  • Mechanics and wave physics (TNE043)
  • Mathematical statistics (TNG006)
  • Signals and systems (TNG015)
  • Modeling and simulation (TNG022)
  • Automatic control (TNG028)
  • Applied transform theory (TNG032)
  • Programming in C++ (TNG033)
  • Communication and user interfaces (TNM040)
  • Design (TNM042)
  • Computer graphics (TNM046)
  • Graphic arts (TNM059)
  • 3-D Computer graphics (TNM061)
  • Modeling project (TNM085)
  • Image processing and image analysis (TNM087)
  • Digital media (TNM088)
  • Applied visualization and virtual reality (TNM093)
  • Media technology bachelor project - Creature Evolution by Genetic Algorithms (TNM094)
  • Electronic publishing (TNMK30)

Qualifications


Programming and Script Languages

C++, C, C#, Javascript, Python, Java, Lua, GLSL, HLSL, HTML, PHP, CSS

Operating Systems

Mac OSX, Linux (Ubuntu), Windows 10

Software

Matlab, Unreal Engine, Unity3D, Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, Meshlab, CMake, Photoshop, Arnold, Renderman, Nuke, Marmoset Toolbag, Agisoft Photoscan, Alicevision, R3DS Wrap3, Git

API:s and Frameworks

OpenGL, WebGL, OpenCV, CUDA, OpenCL, Pytorch, Keras, Leap Motion, GDAL, Qt, Maya C++ API

Other Concepts

Computer graphics, Image processing, Real time rendering, Virtual reality, Deep learning in computer vision, Numerical simulation, Digital art, Concept art,

Publications

Other Merits


Scholarships

  • Swedish engineers' scholarship, 2015
    Stipend for studying abroad and covering the expenses of living in Singapore.
  • Norrköpings Polytekniska förenings scholarship, 2014
    Stipend given to encourage talanted and ambitios students.
  • Tryggve holms scholarship 2014
    Stipend given to ambitios students with international focus.
  • Environment student of the year, Bromangymnasiet, 2010
    Annual award given to the best performing student in the natural sciences.
  • Best project, Bromangymnasiet, 2010
    Annual award for the best final project for students within the technology program.

Awards

  • Best Paper, IEEEVis 2017
    "Best Paper" in the SciVis category at IEEEVis 2017 for the paper Globe Browsing: Contextualized Spatio-Temporal Planetary Surface Visualization.
  • First price in the MAGIC Game Challenge, Nanyang Technological University 2014
    Me and three other students got the award for the best group project in the course Introduction To Games Design at NTU. Awarded for Freakolution
  • Orange cube, most creative project, Linköping University, Media technology program 2012
    Annual award for all project courses at Linköping University´s Media Technology Program. Awarded for Yksin.

Supervising

Supervising as mentor for students and interns at USC ICT

  • Tal Rastopchin, TBD, Grinnell College, June 2020 - Current
  • Xiang Li, TBD, Clemson University, May 2020 - Current
  • Yuka Murata, Face model rigging and real time rendering, University of Southern California, May 2019 - May 2020
  • William Kovach, Real time facial tracking and animation, The University of Texas at Austin, June 2019 - August 2019
  • Reuben Wattenhofer, Real time hair rendering - final bachelors project, Grand Valley State University, January 2019 - April 2019
  • Reuben Wattenhofer, Realistic human eye rendering, Grand Valley State University, June 2018 - August 2018
  • Jonathan Kaneshiro, Blendshape animation, University of California, Riverside, June 2018 - August 2018
  • Youngeun Lee, 3D facial landmarks surface projection, University of Southern California, October 2018 - December 2018

Paper Reviewing

  • CVPR 2020

Talks

Work Featured in the News

Film Production Scans

Light Stage production scans of main actors conducted for various visual effects companies.

Full list of VGL production scan projects.

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