About

John Sullivan is a postdoctoral researcher currently residing in Paris, France. His research focuses on multimodal interaction design and development of new technologies for music, dance and multimedia performance. With a background in music performance and human-computer interaction, his work includes user research, participatory design workshops and collaborations with musicians and performing artists to better understand and support professional performance practices. Additionally he has conducted research in the areas of motion capture analysis of live performance, haptic interaction, and accessible digital musical instrument design.

Under the name Johnny Venom, he has been a part of multiple indie rock groups from the northeastern US. He released several albums with various projects and has toured extensively in the US, Canada, and Europe.

Interests
  • Music Technology
  • Movement and Embodied Interaction
  • Interface Design
  • User Experience
  • Cycling
  • Coffee
Education
  • Ph.D. in Music Technology, 2021

    McGill University

  • MFA in Intermedia, 2015

    University of Maine

  • BFA in Contemporary Music Performance, 2003

    College of Santa Fe

Skills

Human-Computer Interaction

interface design and evaluation

User-Centered Design

human-centered and participatory design

Digital Lutherie

digital musical instrument design

Rapid Prototyping

computer-aided design, 3D printing, laser cutting

Creative Coding

audio and interactive media programming

Motion Capture

movement and performance gesture analysis

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
Postdoctoral researcher
Sep 2022 – Present Paris, France
  • HCI research and design for the EU funded project “LivingArchive: Interactive documentation of dance”
 
 
 
 
 
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Sep 2021 – Apr 2021 Montreal, Canada
  • Designer and researcher on projects involving haptics and multimodal interaction
 
 
 
 
 
Ph.D. researcher and lecturer
McGill University
Sep 2015 – May 2021 Montreal, Canada
  • Scientific research on music interaction, digital interface design and HCI
  • Lecturer for course on music and interactive media programming
 
 
 
 
 
Research and teaching assistant
University of Maine
Sep 2012 – Aug 2015 Maine, United States
  • Practice-based research on interactive media design
  • Rapid prototyping, hardware and electronics design
  • Audio and multimedia programming
  • Teaching support for courses on new media production and design
 
 
 
 
 
Owner
Johnny Venom Media
Jan 2011 – Present Montreal, Canada
  • Creative design and content creation for businesses and artistic projects
  • Web design
  • Audio production and editing
  • Video and multimedia production
  • Audiovisual installation design
 
 
 
 
 
Performing and recording artist
Jan 2000 – Dec 2015 Maine, New York
  • Professional bassist and multi-instrumentalist
  • Released several albums in various styles: indie, alternative rock, reggae, experimental
  • Toured in United States, Canada, and Europe
  • Session musician
  • Private instruction for bass and guitar

Contact