Dina Khalil is an award-winning Technical Artist with 7 years of experience in immersive and mixed reality. Certified in accessibility (CPACC) and holding a UX/UI certificate from Columbia University, she blends creativity and technology to design interactive, inclusive, and meaningful digital experiences. Dina has worked with Google, YouTube, and Meta, and her vision is to make AR/VR both engaging and accessible for everyone.
How many years have you been a judge?
5+ years
What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?
My first job in the industry was at Meta, where I worked as a Technical Artist. It was an incredible opportunity because it allowed me to collaborate with different teams and learn directly from some of the most talented names in the field. Beyond the technical skills, the experience taught me the value of cross-disciplinary collaboration and gave me the confidence to voice my own opinions and ideas, even early in my career.
What project are you most proud to have worked on?
The project I’m most proud of is Project Revival for the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. It was all about storytelling and educating people about the artifacts in the museum, while making the experience inclusive by allowing visitors to switch between English and Arabic. For me, it was the perfect blend of culture and technology.
What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?
One of the most challenging parts of my job is balancing creativity with technical constraints while constantly adapting to rapidly evolving technology. Projects often require working with tools that are still in early stages, which means problem-solving on the fly and advocating for features or improvements. It can be demanding, but it’s also what keeps the work exciting and pushes me to grow.
What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?
I’m currently working as a freelancer with multiple clients, which allows me to take on a diverse range of projects across AR/VR, digital art, and UX. My responsibilities usually involve designing interactive and accessible experiences, bridging the gap between art and technology, and collaborating closely with teams to bring concepts to life. What I love most about my work is that I get to constantly learn, adapt, and experiment with different creative and technical challenges. It’s also deeply rewarding to create experiences that are not only engaging but also inclusive and meaningful for audiences.
What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?
Right now I’m working on a mix of freelance projects that really excite me, some in AR/VR for education and storytelling, and others focused on making digital experiences more accessible and inclusive. I love these projects because they let me merge creativity with purpose, whether it’s building interactions that spark empathy or designing tools that help more people engage with immersive tech.
