Hi, I'm Marilena.
I'm a Software Developer who loves to solve problems in creative ways.
my portfolio is work in progress and still has a few quirks here and there, sorry for the inconvenience
About
I'm a Software Developer who is always up for a good challenge. What I do equally like is designing an intuitive and well-thought-out User Experience and Interface. I love to think of different and novel Approaches to achieve a Goal and find the best one suitable.
A Masters Degree in Computer Science and Media and a Semester Abroad with focus on Visual Communication provide me with all the Skills to perform successful in a creative and innovative Environment.
Within a Team is where I work best - to share and discuss Ideas and to get different Perspectives. Being an empathic Teamplayer, I at the same time work very independently: I'm highly motivated, realiable, structured and a quick Learner!
Experience
Unreal Engine
React
TypeScript
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Illustrator
Maya
Swift
Git
Java
Figma
Blender
Unity
iOS App Developer Intern at SAP
Mar, 2017 - Aug, 2017
As a member of a multinational project team, I independently developed a native iOS app using Swift. Having no prior knowledge with Swift nor native app development, I quickly and independently learned how to implement authentication, connect to a REST API, and read iPhone sensor data. I also gained insight into the design process and was able to actively contribute. Thanks to my structured way of working, I was able to meet milestones and report progress to the project manager in regular meetings.
iOS App Developer Working Student at SAP
Sep, 2017 - Aug, 2018
I independently worked on existing native iOS applications to implement new features.
Full Stack Developer Working Student at SAP
Nov, 2018 - Feb, 2020
Unreal Engine Developer Working Student at SAP
Mar, 2020 - Dec, 2023
I worked with Unreal Engine 5 to implement a VR multiplayer experience in a proactive and self-structured manner. I integrated my feature into a larger modular project which involved adapting to unfamiliar codebases and collaborating with team members to ensure cohesion within the project framework. We utilized GitLab for version control and collaborative development. Furthermore, I experimented with motion capture from single-view images as well as hand- and face tracking using the Quest Pro for the creation of virtual humanoid guides. Being very ambituous, I achieved to tackle challenges in this innovative and fast-changing domain. In addition, I presented my findings in multinational knowledge exchange sessions.
Projects
Human Tour Guides for Mixed Reality: A Comparison of Capture and Display Techniques
Virtual environments can be complex and overwhelming. In addition, when wearing a bulky head-mounted display one easily feels isolated from the real world. For my Master's thesis I investigated how humanoid embodied tour guides could be created to accompany and guide users in a Mixed Reality environment.
- Unreal Engine
- Meta Quest
- XR
- Motion Capture
Traffic Stream: Waiting Times
For a semester project, in a group of 2 we implemented an interactive prototype with React, TypeScript, deck.gl and mapbox to visualize traffic data on a map. The app comprises an overview and detail view to visualize waiting times and routes of cyclists at street crossings. We came up with a design concept to improve the User Experience and create a clearly arranged User Interface which we presented and discussed in regular meetings with the product owners.
- React
- TypeScript
- Docker
- deck.gl
- mapbox
- node.js
- express
- UX Design
- UI Design
- Data Visualization
- Figma
Quest's Face Tracking for MetaHuman
Meta's Quest Pro comes with face tracking. By using a Meta's version of the Unreal Engine 4, I applied the face tracking values to animate a Meta Human's face.
- Motion Capture
- VR
- MetaHuman
- Unreal Engine
- Meta Quest Pro
Shopping Knob
The goal was to develop a prototype to support a healthier lifestyle.
- Stakeholder Analysis
- Personas
- Claims
- Prototyping
- Storyboard
Cooking App Prototype
Development of a paper prototype for a cooking app for beginners.
- Prototyping
- UX Design
- Interface Design
Game of Life
I developed Game of Life in C++.
- C++
Portfolio
Design and implementation of my portfolio. Work in progress.
- Figma
- TypeScript
- React
- CSS
- Git
InPen
We applied different Design Thinking tools to work out a business model. We came up with an accessible online shopping experience.
- Design Thinking
- Business Model Canvas
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Illustrator
- Teamwork
VR Data Room
- Interactive Data Visualization
- VR
- UX Design
Ballet Lesson
For a semester project, I had to create a little animated scene. Therefore, I wrote a story board, rigged the Lego man and animated the scene.
- Maya
- Animation
- Rigging
- Storyboard
Smart Home
Setting up a Smart Home to control heating, lighting and multimedia.
- UX Design
- System Architecture
- ioBroker
- Stakeholder Analysis
- node.js
- TypeScript
- mqtt
Sundial
Based off of photographs, I modelled a Sundial using Autodesk Maya.
- Modelling
- Maya
Design Concept for HTW Dresden Homepage
I did a draft for a redesign of the HTW Dresden website using Photoshop.
- Photoshop
- Layout
Train Together
Within 2 weeks, we worked full-time to implement a prototype system to do physical exercises together. The prototype enables the user to ask others to joint a training session via pressing a button. The matrix then displays an execise. LEDs indicate when the exercise starts and ends.
- Arduino
- Breadboard
- Physical Computing
- Prototyping
- Fusion 360
- Fritzing