After nearly a decade at Amazon’s Devices and Services Design Group, design engineering leader Grant Hinkson has embarked on a new venture, following his creative passions in virtual reality game development. His startup, Parietal Lab, is preparing to launch its first VR experience titled “Connectome,” which combines artistic expression with gameplay elements.
The experience, available for pre-order on Meta Quest, offers users an innovative take on the classic connect-the-dots concept in a three-dimensional virtual space. Players navigate through various rooms, discovering interactive points that, when connected, reveal objects and unlock pathways to new areas. The deliberate ambiguity in player objectives adds an element of mystery and exploration to the experience.
Hinkson’s creative involvement extends beyond game design to include the musical composition, drawing from his lifelong connection to music. Having played piano since his early childhood years, he personally crafted the ambient soundtrack to ensure it perfectly matched his vision for each virtual space’s emotional resonance.
Before his entrepreneurial journey, Hinkson’s career included more than five years at Microsoft, followed by his tenure at Amazon where he worked extensively on products including Echo devices, Fire TV, Fire tablets, and the Alexa mobile application. While leading a team of design technologists, he gained some exposure to VR prototyping, though not as a hands-on Unity developer.
The transition from corporate tech giant to independent game developer represents more than just a career change for Hinkson. It’s a return to his fundamental identity as a creator, reflecting on how his most fulfilling moments at Amazon came during periods of innovation and experience creation. He views virtual reality as the optimal medium for contemporary storytelling, offering complete creative control over world-building.
“Connectome” serves as both a creative outlet and a proof of concept for Hinkson’s future in VR development. The success of this initial release will help determine whether he can sustain his passion for creating virtual experiences professionally. The project embodies the convergence of his various creative interests – art, music,
programming, and game design – all while maintaining the independence of working from home and directing his own creative vision.
Having made the bold move to leave a successful corporate career, Hinkson now faces the ultimate test: transforming his creative passions into a sustainable business. His enduring connection to these creative pursuits, which have remained meaningful to him for decades, drives his determination to succeed in this new chapter.
The experience he’s created aims to provide a meditative journey through virtual space, combining interactive elements with artistic expression and musical ambiance. Each aspect of “Connectome” reflects Hinkson’s comprehensive approach to creative development, leveraging his diverse skill set to craft a unique VR experience.
For Hinkson, this venture represents more than just a change in career direction – it’s an opportunity to fully embrace his creative identity and build something entirely his own. The challenge now lies in establishing a sustainable business model that allows him to continue pursuing these artistic and technological innovations in the virtual reality space. The launch of “Connectome” marks just the beginning of this new chapter, as Hinkson works to prove that following one’s creative passions can indeed lead to professional success.