Dan Hett

artist, writer, game designer, other


Hello.

(PLEASE NOTE: I am no longer available as a freelancer, this site is largely an archive now. I'm still available for talks or occasional workshops, or if you need me to refer you on to a safe pair of hands to execute your project, so feel free to get in touch anyway. Thanks!)

I'm an award-winning digital artist, writer and games designer. I make things with technology, and write a lot - sometimes at the same time, when I'm very lucky. I've done a lot of work for a lot of people, but don't take my word for it - there's a whole list on this website, with pictures and everything.

Outside of my personal practice I'm also the founder and director of PΔSSENGER, an independent games studio focused on challenging interactive fiction. In 2021 we released our first major work, Closed Hands, a novel-length piece of interactive fiction examining intertwined human stories in a crisis (nominated for Excellence in Narrative at the Independent Games Festival 2022). I'm now working on games-influenced television scripts and the beginnings of a similarly influenced novel, as well as a number of experimental games projects.

In 2021 I was selected as HOME's new Creative Technology fellow, working alongside Manchester's new School of Digital Arts (SODA). I also served on the board of legendary independent games festival Now Play This.

My work has been covered by the BBC, The Guardian, Forbes, Creative Review, The Face, and a whole pile of other places. I also occasionally write for the likes of the Guardian, Rockpapershotgun and the BBC.

Hit me up for any speaking enquiries, workshops/teaching or whatever else, but: if it's about a project, I likely can't help you, I'm no longer freelancing, sorry!!

Thanks for reading! <3


Experience

Senior Narrative Designer at DSFishLabs
2023 – Present
Freelancer at Dan Hett Ltd
2016 – 2023 Manchester, UK
Technologist at BBC Research & Development
2015 – 2016 MediaCityUK, Salford
Senior engineer at BBC Children’s
2012 – 2015 MediaCityUK, Salford
Interactive developer at Havas Lynx
2008 – 2012 Manchester, UK

Awards

2022
Nominated - Excellence in Narrative, IGF Awards
2021
Winner - New Media Writing Prize, NMWP
2015
BAFTA Winner – Children’s Interactive – The Dumping Ground, British Academy of Film and Television Arts
2015
BAFTA Nomination – Children’s Interactive – CBeebies Storytime, British Academy of Film and Television Arts
2014
Winner – Best Digital Children’s Content – CBeebies Storytime, Broadcast Digital Awards
2014
Highly Commended – Best Children’s App – CBeebies Storytime, Junior Design Awards

Clients

  • BBC Children's
  • BBC R&D
  • Sky
  • SXSW
  • British Council
  • Manchester International Festival
  • NHS
  • TATE Liverpool
  • Open Data Institute
  • HOME
  • Hacked Off
  • Cornerhouse
  • Havas
  • Zabludowicz
  • FutureEverything
  • Kettle's Yard
  • Sonia Sabri Dance Company
  • Manchester Science Festival
  • Carbon Co-op
  • Ludic Rooms
  • Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Skills

  • gamedev
  • interactive
  • creative coding
  • installations
  • openFrameworks
  • haxe
  • javascript
  • html5/css
  • phaser.js
  • three.js
  • pixi.js
  • actionscript
  • git/svn
  • projection mapping
  • VDMX
  • VPT
  • VJing
  • rapid prototyping
  • public speaking
  • interaction design
  • technical communication
  • generative art
  • livecoding
  • workshops/technical sessions
  • technical consulting