Theo Erickson
Teacher and Maker
Teacher and maker: running equipment, classes and member projects at a community makerspace, after teaching beginner game development to K to 12 students.
Industry experience
Facilities Team and Web Admin, CRASH Space
Oct 2024 to Present
Oversee daily operations, instruction, and equipment maintenance in a community makerspace, teaching members fabrication skills and creative design applications.
- Teach hands-on laser cutting workshops covering materials, safety, vector design, and creative project fabrication.
- Develop new curriculum for intermediate 3D printing and advanced laser operation courses.
- Maintain and repair key equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC tools.
- Collaborate with other instructors to enhance signage, workflow, and user guidance across the shop.
- Mentor members in translating personal project ideas into tangible builds using digital fabrication tools.
- Contribute to community events showcasing accessible maker projects and educational outreach.
Unity Course Creator and Instructor, Code Crew
Spring 2018 to Summer 2018
Created and taught beginner Unity game development courses for K to 12 students, combining art, programming, and interactive storytelling.
- Designed modular Unity curriculum introducing core development and design principles.
- Led workshops and summer classes teaching logic, graphics, and level design fundamentals.
- Produced lesson kits for schools and libraries to expand access to STEM learning.
- Helped students publish small playable projects, building confidence in coding and creativity.
- Streamlined course content to bridge differences between diverse school technology setups.
- Praised for making technical concepts engaging, clear, and fun for young learners.
Technical Game Designer, Sovereign Axe Studios, Super Evil Megacorp, Deviation Games
April 2020 to Present
Developed game systems in Unreal Engine 5 using C++ and Blueprints, emphasizing creative problem solving and transferable abstract thinking skills.
- Designed core gameplay systems and rapid prototypes supporting cross-disciplinary development.
- Engineered interactive experiences that balanced technical precision and player creativity.
- Mentored junior developers and guided creative brainstorming through structured prototyping.
- Fostered creativity under technical constraints, an approach reflected in maker education methods.
Key skills
- Laser cutting and engraving
- Inkscape vector prep, Material handling, Safety training, Cut and engrave preset creation
- 3D printing and CAD
- Slicing (Orca, PrusaSlicer), 3D modeling, Material testing, Troubleshooting, Printer maintenance
- Electronics and soldering
- Circuit design basics, Soldering, Small repairs, LED and microcontroller assembly
- Woodworking and hand tools
- Shop safety, Measuring, Sanding, Finishing, Basic fabrication
- Game and interactive design
- Unreal Engine 5 (C++, Blueprints), Unity (C#), Blender modeling, Game prototyping
- Teaching and curriculum design
- Lesson planning, Presentation, Workshop structuring, Multi-age instruction
Example projects
- Laser cutting and engraving
- Personalized door signs, acrylic earrings, ornament engraving workshop.
- 3D printing and CAD
- Multi-color 3D logo keychains, interlocking mechanical parts, mini display stands.
- Electronics and soldering
- Custom LED badge kits, basic soldering tutorials, and teaching soldering classes.
- Woodworking and hand tools
- 3D printer filament shelving units, Halloween coaster post processing.
- Game and interactive design
- Interactive demos for workshops, game mechanics prototypes, 3D models for 3D printing.
- Teaching and curriculum design
- "Intro to Laser Cutting" class, Unity beginner course, maker camp facilitation.
Education
- UCSC: Baskin School of Engineering
- BS Computer Science: Game Design