Hi, Shalom. My name is Maya Shekel.
Hi there, I'm Maya Shekel, born in NYC but living currently in Tel Aviv. I am an XR creator, designer, and director with a BA & MFA in the Digital Media Program from the Steve Tisch School of Film and Television at Tel Aviv University.
Currently, I am lecturing at Tel Aviv University on design thinking for interactive platforms and at Reichman University on final projects in VR. My primary focus at Reichman University is at the Advanced Reality Lab (ARL Lab), where I work on research-based commercial projects using "embodiment" and virtual a.i characters that enable ongoing conversation. I have collaborated on numerous projects with the Tel Aviv Museum, the Public Health Association, and the Ministry of Defense.
One of my proudest achievements is founding and developing TAZOO, a location-based Augmented Reality (AR) project that recreates lost and nostalgic places in Tel Aviv, funded by the Tel Aviv Municipality, Tel Aviv University, Vuforia and more.
My latest project, "Eddie and I," is a VR experience that promotes empathy and understanding between different populations using hand-tracking recognition technology to teach sign language.
Overall, I am passionate about using technology to create meaningful experiences that can make a positive impact on people's lives.
Awards | Honors
NewImages | Paris, 2023 | Eddie and I won the XR Development Market Prize
CoPro 21|Tel Aviv, 2019|TAZOO was selected to participate
NEXT!|Doc-Aviv Festival, Tel Aviv, 2018 |First Prize winner for TAZOO, Tel Aviv Zoo project. The competition presented documentary works that break the boundaries of the genre, using unfamiliar cinematic language and new technologies.
Sayeret Matkal Award for Excellence|2014 |Rank of Sergeant due to a long standing career.