By Jordan Hample
Hello Jordan! Tell us a little about yourself. (where do you live, where did you go to school, do you have any pets, etc.)
My name is Jordan Hample. I live with my wife, two daughters, and dog over the bridge in NJ. I have a degree in Computer Science from Rowan University and also studied Computer Graphics and Video Game Design before that. Some friends and I started a video game studio that has made some small mobile game releases. I love to play video games and board games. Most of my free time currently is spent building and painting miniatures for Warhammer 40,000.
What do you do at the LCDSS?
My official title is Academic Information Technology Support Technician. But that gives you almost no clue as to what I actually do here. Essentially, I oversee all the technology for our department. So, I have my hand in any hardware, software, and makerspace equipment in the LCDSS. Not only do I purchase, set up, and maintain it all, I teach others how to use it. I do this through workshops and one on one consultations. Most commonly I teach people how to use Unity Game Engine to create games or virtual environments.
What kinds of projects/technologies do you work with the most?
Most of the time I will be working with either virtual reality or 3D printing projects. Sometimes I will even get to combine the two. Some projects may use more than one of our technologies to visualize things in multiple ways. We may 3D scan an object, 3D print a replica of it, and then put it into a virtual environment in VR.
What is your favorite type of technology to work with in the LCDSS?
My favorite thing to work with is the Unity Game Engine. Having a game development background and a decades old love for games makes me want to use that as a default when people come in with a project in mind. Unity can be a blank slate that can create virtually anything that you need it to. Want to build a first person shooter game? Use Unity. Want to look at 3D scanned objects in a virtual museum? Use Unity. Want to prototype set design for your play? Use Unity. With a little coding knowledge and creativity, you can make whatever you want.
What project have you enjoyed working on/helping with the most?
We are currently working on a project that uses the Charles L Blockson collection here at Temple. The purpose is to create a virtual archive experience to teach high school students how to use an archive. We will be digitizing photographs, letters, oral histories, and more to be viewed in a VR environment. Once it is finished it will be a great showcase of the technologies available in our department.
What’s an example of a time you’ve supported a student or faculty (or class) learning a new method that felt particularly successful and rewarding?
My favorite example of this happened a few years ago, when we were back in the basement of Paley. A student came in to see us in early October. He wanted to 3D print a mask for Halloween. I said that we could certainly help with that and asked if he had a file for it already. He showed me an image. That was all he had. If you are familiar with 3D printing, you know that a single image is not enough to make anything most of the time. I explained to him that we needed a 3D model file and that he would either need to find an existing model or learn to make his own.
It is usually at this point that most students just walk away, slightly embarrassed that they did not know this basic thing and they don’t have the time to learn a whole new skillset. But not this student. He just said “Ok” and walked over to sit down at one of our computers. He fired up some 3D modeling software and a YouTube tutorial. He had no art or 3D modeling background, but he really wanted to make something. He came in a few hours each day. A few weeks later he finally printed his mask, entirely designed by himself (and a little from us). Sadly, he missed the Halloween deadline, but he learned a valuable new skill and printed more designs of his own creation over his time here.
What is your favorite thing to eat on campus?
My go to food truck is the Mexican Grill Stand in front of the Student Center. Usually carnitas or chorizo tacos. But I will sometimes alternate between them and Burger Tank. My favorite meal there is the Texas Holdem and Tots. Not enough places sell tater tots around here.
What game are you most enjoying playing right now?
For tabletop games, I would say Warhammer 40k, but it is so rare that I have time or friends available to play with. But I am constantly building, painting, and theorizing new army lists for when I do find the time. The 3D printers and laser cutters in the makerspace are great for that too. I can make terrain pieces, new models, or parts for existing models.
For video games, I’ve recently started playing Expedition 33. I am really liking the world building and combat mechanics so far. It’s nice to see a return to turn based RPG instead of the typical modern action based RPGs.
What technologies are you most excited to learn more about at the LCDSS?
While I already have a ton of game design and 3d modeling experience, there are constantly new software and methods that I can learn to make them better and/or faster. While I know a lot about Unity, I don’t have as much experience with Unreal. While I can 3D model whatever I want in Blender, I don’t know how to do it in Fusion. Each software has its pros and cons, so I need to learn as many as I can. Both for myself and for the faculty, staff, and students that I help everyday.