Gradient Labs
and physical environments.
Gradient Labs is a design and technology studio creating the next generation of HTML5 websites and touch-based experiences for the iPad.
We develop innovative digital strategies, application concepts, products, websites, environments, and software.
We enjoy solving challenging problems that cross boundaries and require the creation of something new.
JASON SIMMONS
Jason is a designer and technologist who makes beautiful, innovative, and efficient user interfaces, products, environments, and narratives.
Prior to founding Gradient Labs, Jason worked for MAYA Viz (acquired by General Dynamics) designing user interfaces and data visualization techniques for clients in defense, logistics, and healthcare.
Jason taught grads and undergrads at Carnegie Mellon University in interaction design techniques. He is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology.
RYAN WALSH
Ryan has spent the last 10 years managing interdisciplinary teams and providing value for his clients. As a member of the Lab, Ryan creates strategy at the product, revenue, and user level.
He consulted on products ranging from mobile ticketing software for ShowClix to high-performance logistics systems. Ryan served as Executive Director for a regional branch of a US Department of Energy market development initiative.
He is a regional expert and educator on sustainable business practices, particularly in alternative energy. Ryan co-authored an ASTM standard for environmentally friendly event production, the first of its kind in the world. His consulting firm Restorative Events has produced over 50 events in partnership with respected partners across the US.
Ryan has a BS in Information Science and an MS in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
NIKKI NAVTA
Nikki is a pioneer in the development of learning content and helping educators utilize technology in the classroom.
Nikki works with our clients to develop innovative content and business models for education-focused projects. Her years of education industry experience help us create cutting-edge interactive learning experiences that are based on best practices in classroom education.
She founded Zulama, an online learning company, to provide unique, in-demand, expert-authored online elective courses for high school students.
For over 20 years her educational services business (Navta Associates, Inc) developed a wide variety of educational products including web-based content, video, multimedia, games, test banks, interactive whiteboard resources, textbooks, supplementals, and trade books in content areas such as reading, mathematics, language arts, social studies, and science. Her clients included National Geographic School Publishing, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Pearson, and McGraw-Hill, as well as smaller publishers.
Nikki graduated from St. Lawrence University with a B.S. in the dual major of Computer Science and Fine Arts, and a minor in Mathematics.
MAX GALKIN
Max is Senior User Interface and Visualization Engineer at Gradient Labs.
He is lead developer on Iris, our HTML5 application framework. Iris brings our sophisticated UI, visualization, and imaging capabilities into the post-Flash world and is optimized for touch-enabled devices.
Max has an MS in software engineering from the Volgograd University of Technology in Kamyshin, Russia, where he lives and works.
ALEX KOJIN
Alex is Infrastructure Engineer at Gradient Labs, and leads development of our cloud solutions, process management tools, database design, and web technologies such as Ruby on Rails.
Alex has an MS in software engineering from the Volgograd University of Technology in Kamyshin, Russia, where he lives and works.