Today we’d like to introduce you to Dheeraj Varandani

Hi Dheeraj, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

I am an artist and a programmer, born and raised in India. My zeal to create something new and tell stories brought me into the field of Digital Arts. After working on the Elf on the Shelf Netflix special for a year, I set out to do something more meaningful with the creative skillset I had.

Since then, I focus on contributing in meaningful ways to society by designing engaging educational modules for medical students and professionals, and deploying them on immersive technologies like VR/AR head-mounted displays and holographic theatre.

From the stroke of a brush to lines of code, I’ve found my calling in merging art, science, and technology. Every day poses a new and different challenge. Some days I spend my time creating color palettes for medical applications, and other days I find myself writing technical tools to help make the lives of other artists easier. Whether it is through my artistic endeavors, my programming expertise, or my commitment to the advancement of medical education, I consistently strive to create a positive impact on people’s lives.

Beyond my professional endeavors, you can often find me exploring new art forms, experimenting with different programming languages, and seeking inspiration from the world around me. I thrive on challenges and love pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

I really believe that challenges are just part of life, and nothing truly worthwhile comes easy. Moving to a whole new country as a teenager was a huge shift for me. From figuring out how to buy groceries to discovering my passion and purpose in life, I learned a lot. Each obstacle taught me so much about resilience and adaptability, and I’m really grateful for the amazing support I’ve had from my mentors, family, and friends along the way.

After spending some time in the entertainment industry, I started feeling unsatisfied and wanted to create more of a positive impact with my skillset. That’s when I knew I needed to hit pause and reevaluate my path. It was definitely challenging, specially being unemployed and unsure about my future, but I began to view that time as an opportunity for personal growth.

During that period, I took the time to really reflect on what truly mattered to me. I realized I wanted to combine my artistic skills with work that truly makes a difference. It was eye-opening! Every struggle I faced helped clarify my goals and fueled my passion to create art that has a positive impact.

Now, I see my work as a way to connect with people and spark meaningful conversations. I’m excited to keep exploring how art and technology can come together to make a difference in the world. There is still a very long road for me to travel to create a tangible change in the world.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I’m an artist who uses coding to create medical educational content, all with the goal of improving patient care and reducing medical errors. I really enjoy blending art, science, and technology to make meaningful and unique experiences.

Right now, I’m the Visualization Technical Lead for the iEXCEL program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Our mission is to enhance human performance in healthcare by using high-fidelity simulations, interprofessional collaboration, and incorporating experiential learning technologies. I specialize in developing the look of our virtual 3D modules, focusing on things like shading, lighting, rendering, and compositing. I also create web-based applications for education, build tools for other artists, and help manage the 3D production pipeline alongside a fantastic team of artists, medical illustrators, and programmers.

I like to think of myself as a generalist—I enjoy keeping the big picture in mind while still paying attention to the details. Ultimately, I strive to make a positive impact through my work and support my teammates by creating digital tools that help us all succeed.

What matters most to you?

What matters most to me is the intersection of creativity and purpose!

I have cried and laughed at the movies, gotten attached to characters and have gotten completely immersed in the plots, all because it was all very wonderfully crafted and captivating. What matters most to me is my mission of touching lives and aiding in the healing capabilities of medicine.

I believe in the transformative power of storytelling and technology, particularly in the realm of education. My work in designing engaging educational modules for medical professionals is driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on society. I see art not just as an aesthetic pursuit, but as a vital tool for understanding complex concepts and enhancing learning experiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dheerajv.com
• Instagram: dheerajvarandani

Image Credits

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