From Playing ‘80s Video Games to Founding the Jacobs Visual Media Group: Jim Kessler’s Story

Sep 9, 2024 at 2:45 PM

Revolutionizing Visual Communication: Jacobs' Digital Visionary Leads the Charge

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital media, Jacobs, a global leader in professional services, is at the forefront, empowering its people to drive innovation and shape the future. At the heart of this digital transformation is Jim Kessler, the Visual Media Director, whose visionary approach is redefining the way Jacobs' clients experience and interact with their projects.

Unlocking the Power of Digital Storytelling

Embracing the Digital Frontier

As a child in the 1980s, Jim Kessler's fascination with video games, art, and science laid the foundation for his remarkable career. His early explorations with a Commodore 64 home computer ignited a passion for programming graphics and games, foreshadowing his future in the digital media realm. Later, as an intern architect, Kessler honed his skills in 2D and 3D design software, and his graduate thesis delved into the revolutionary potential of electronic design methodologies in architectural design and construction practices.

Pioneering Visual Media Solutions

Kessler's journey in the field of digital media began in 1993 with residential architectural design. After completing his graduate degree, he joined Jacobs in 1999, where he quickly discovered his strength in providing visual media solutions. Recognizing the untapped potential, Kessler founded the Visual Media Group and has since built a global team of 30 artists, technologists, and developers across the United States and the United Kingdom, expanding Jacobs' capabilities in this transformative field.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

Kessler's commitment to staying at the forefront of digital innovation is unwavering. He and his team have been pioneers in the use of Extended Reality (XR) solutions, leveraging Oculus Virtual Reality (VR) headsets long before they became mainstream. This innovative approach has allowed Jacobs' design teams and clients to explore proposed designs in immersive environments, revolutionizing the way they visualize and interact with their projects.

Embracing the AI Revolution

Recognizing the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Kessler and his team are now diving into this cutting-edge technology. They are exploring the integration of custom-trained large language models, which have the power to shift the paradigm in how Jacobs delivers interactive and informative decision-making tools to its clients, moving away from traditional static documents.

Driving Jacobs' Digital Transformation

Kessler's leadership and vision have been instrumental in Jacobs' digital transformation. He is proud of the company's commitment to innovation and technology across its entire portfolio, and he is inspired by the diversity of the teams that fuel Jacobs' growth and enable the delivery of thoughtful solutions. Kessler's global experiences, gained through projects in 11 countries, have provided him with unique perspectives on people, cultures, and the power of digital communication to bridge gaps and drive progress.

Shaping the Future with Innovative Solutions

As Jacobs continues to invest in innovative and technologically advanced offerings, Kessler and his team are poised to revolutionize the way clients experience and interact with their projects. With a deep understanding of the transformative potential of digital media and a relentless pursuit of cutting-edge technologies, Kessler is leading the charge in shaping the future of visual communication and empowering Jacobs to deliver solutions that will impact generations and communities to come.