# Elie Zananiri

> Interactive designer

**Wikidata**: [Q115161419](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115161419)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/elie-zananiri

## Summary
Elie Zananiri is a Canadian interaction designer, programmer, and installation artist born in Cairo. He is best known for his work in virtual reality and interactive media, notably serving as the Technology Director for the Emmy Award-winning project "Zero Days." Based in New York City, he combines a background in computer science and mathematics with a master's degree in interaction design.

## Biography
- **Born:** Cairo
- **Nationality:** Canada
- **Education:**
    - Master's degree in Interaction Design, New York University Tisch School of the Arts
    - Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Computer Science, Concordia University
- **Known for:** Interaction design, virtual reality, and technology direction for documentary media.
- **Employer(s):** Not specified (Works as an educator, designer, and director)
- **Field(s):** Virtual Reality, Interactive Design

## Contributions
Elie Zananiri has contributed to the intersection of technology and the arts, specifically within interactive design and virtual reality. His technical expertise spans programming and software engineering, which he applies to installation art and digital storytelling.

His most prominent recognized work is his role as Technology Director for the project "Zero Days." This contribution was honored with a News and Documentary Emmy Award in 2018. In this capacity, he bridged the gap between complex software engineering and narrative documentary structures.

Beyond his commercial work, Zananiri is an active educator. He has participated in interviews regarding his methodology, such as with MIT Docubase, discussing the intricacies of building interactive and VR experiences. His work often involves the creation of software-driven experiences that function as artistic installations or interactive documentaries. He is also credited as a director, expanding his scope beyond pure programming to creative leadership.

## FAQs

### Q: What awards has Elie Zananiri won?
A: Elie Zananiri won a News and Documentary Emmy Award in 2018. He received the award as the Technology Director for the project "Zero Days."

### Q: What is Elie Zananiri's educational background?
A: He holds a master's degree in Interaction Design from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts and a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Concordia University.

### Q: What are Elie Zananiri's primary professional roles?
A: He is recognized as an interaction designer, programmer, software engineer, installation artist, and educator. He also works as a director.

## Why They Matter
Elie Zananiri represents a modern hybrid of engineer and artist, significant for his ability to translate complex technical capabilities into engaging narrative experiences. His work matters because it pushes the boundaries of traditional documentary filmmaking into immersive and interactive realms. By serving as a Technology Director for high-profile projects like "Zero Days," he demonstrates the critical role of software architecture in modern non-fiction storytelling. His dual fluency in creative design (from his NYU background) and hard sciences (from his Concordia background) allows him to innovate in the growing field of virtual reality, influencing how stories are told and experienced in digital environments. Furthermore, his role as an educator helps disseminate these hybrid skills to the next generation of technologists and designers.

## Notable For
*   **Emmy Award Winner:** Received a News and Documentary Emmy Award in 2018 for "Zero Days."
*   **Technology Direction:** Recognized specifically for his technical leadership in documentary interfaces.
*   **Cross-Disciplinary Expertise:** Combines the distinct fields of computer science, mathematics, and fine arts.
*   **Interactive Art:** Creates work that spans installation art and virtual reality.
*   **Academic Influence:** Contributes to the field as an educator and through interviews with academic institutions like MIT.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Elie Zananiri was born in Cairo and holds Canadian citizenship. He pursued a technical education initially, earning a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Computer Science at Concordia University. Following this, he shifted focus to the intersection of technology and design, obtaining a master's degree in Interaction Design from the New York University (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts. He speaks both English and French.

### Career and Roles
Zananiri operates primarily as an interaction designer and programmer. His professional identity includes multiple roles:
*   **Programmer / Software Engineer:** He writes computer software and practices software engineering.
*   **Installation Artist:** He creates interactive art installations.
*   **Director:** He holds directorial credits, verified through industry databases like IMDb.
*   **Educator:** He is involved in teaching and academic discourse.

He is currently based in New York City.

### Notable Work: Zero Days
A defining project in Zananiri's career is "Zero Days." In 2018, he was awarded the News and Documentary Emmy Award for his role as Technology Director on this project. This work highlights his capability to manage the technical infrastructure required for complex multimedia documentaries.

### Technical and Artistic Focus
Zananiri's work is situated at the convergence of virtual reality and interactive design. He leverages his background in mathematics and computer science to build robust software systems that power artistic and narrative experiences. His insights into the development process have been featured in industry discussions, such as an interview with MIT Docubase, where he elaborates on the creation of interactive media.

## References

1. [Source](https://betamovement.net/about/)
2. [Source](https://docubase.mit.edu/lab/interviews/interview-with-yasmin-elayat-and-elie-zananiri/)
3. [Source](https://www.onassis.org/people/elie-zananiri)
4. [Source](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2724654/)
5. [Source](https://theemmys.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/News_and_Doc_39th_Nominations_Rev_9.30.18.pdf)
6. [Source](https://vimeo.com/776685376)
7. [Source](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2724654/awards?ref_=nm_ql_2)
8. [Source](https://www.linkedin.com/in/prisonerjohn/)