Biography
Dr Joshua Leung is a software engineer, UX/HCI/Computer Graphics/Visualisation expert, violinist, filmmaker, and photographer based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Since 2006, he has been an active core developer/module owner of Blender (the premier open source 3D creation suite), responsible for all aspects of the Animation Tools and the Grease Pencil freehand sketching/animation tools. He is passionate about developing new tools for character animation which help artists achieve their creative goals easier and faster than ever before.
From 2009-2012, Joshua studied Computer Science at the University of Canterbury, graduating with a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours on 12 December 2012 (12-12-12). In 2017, he completed a PhD in Computer Science (specialising in Human-Computer Interaction) in the HCI and Multimedia Lab (supervised by Prof Andy Cockburn), focussing on understanding how the noticeability and distraction characteristics of interactive highlighting techniques can be objectively catalogued and quantified.
Previously, Joshua was also a violinist whose teachers included Oleg Kotorovych (Assistant Concertmaster, CSO), Iryna Ionenko (Principal Second Violin, CSO), and Dr Robin Wilson. He was awarded with a DipABRSM in 2006, LTCL with Distinction in 2007, and FTCL in 2008. He won the "Most Promising" award at the National Young Performer of the Year Awards (PACNZ 2007), was a finalist in the National Chamber Music Contest 2006 with A La Vez, and was the orchestra leader at the Christchurch Schools Music Festival (2003) and at Burnside High School (2008). He was also a member of the Specialist Music Programme during his time at Burnside High School (admission by audition only).
Outside of work, Joshua enjoys photography, bird watching, and good food. In particular, he likes taking photos of wildlife, clouds and sunsets, autumn leaves, architecture (predominantly nighttime), and aerial photography. He is particularly fond of silvereyes, fantails, hedgehogs, goldfish, and kakapo.
Skills, Awards, and Qualifications
For a full list of skills, awards, and qualifications, please refer to this page.
Contact
For contact details, click here.