Blog | 06 December 2024
Employee Feature: Wren Sands
Meet Wren Sands, a talented member of the Cyclomedia team whose journey from creating video game art to expanding her skills in lidar technology has made her a key player in our development process!
Wren’s path to Cyclomedia began in the art world. Originally, she freelanced as a 2D/3D artist for video games, where she honed her creative skills. Eventually, she joined Floating Point (which would eventually become a part of Cyclomedia) as a Data Extraction Analyst. “From there I began to get into Lidar and learn more which evolved into me trying various roles and expanding my skillsets.,” she recalls. This drive for growth set the stage for her future at Cyclomedia!
Wren in Japan
What makes Wren’s work experience stand out the most? “The people,” she says. “It’s a nice place to work. They are kind, fun, and reliable- it makes the work very enjoyable.” Her team-oriented mindset shines through in her positive reflections on the workplace culture.
Wren’s role at Cyclomedia has evolved significantly over time, even leading up to a recent promotion. Initially part of the Collections team, she focused on ensuring high-quality and accurate vehicle collections. During this time, she began collaborating with the Dutch Development Team, helping to troubleshoot and optimize the program. “It was at that time that I set a personal goal to help with testing and get into development, if possible,” Wren explains. “When the opportunity arose to join the team as a Product Tester, I leapt at it!” She continues to expand her technical skills and contribute to Cyclomedia’s success.
Wren’s advice for others aspiring to succeed is simple: “Communication is key. Ask questions and share your thoughts, be creative and bring forward ideas, and stay organized and curious. The opportunity to learn something new can be an opportunity to grow.” Her advice can certainly be applied in every field, and it’s clear to us how deserving she is of her recent promotion!
A fun fact about Wren is that she grew up on a rescue ranch in Wisconsin with over 100 animals, including her horse, Romeo. “I spent a lot of my childhood helping care for them, exploring the woods, and riding my horse, Romeo,” she shares. This love for animals and the outdoors continues, which is reflected in her passion for hiking and nature. Some more of her hobbies include drawing, water coloring, needle felting, baking, reading, and gardening, as well as playing video and board games with friends.
Looking ahead, Wren has several exciting goals, both personally and professionally. Professionally, she hopes to expand her skillset even further, potentially incorporating 3D work into her development role. On a personal level, Wren dreams of having a small library/art gallery where she can engage with her community through books and art exchanges, and perhaps even teach some local art classes.