Jarek Beksa - Media Design School at Strayer

Dr Jarek Beksa is a Lecturer in Creative Enterprise at Media Design School, where he helps students bridge design, technology, and entrepreneurship. With a PhD in Accessible Game Design from AUT and a background in physics and biomedical engineering, Jarek combines technical depth with a passion for human-centred innovation.

Outside academia, he serves as Director of Digital & Innovation at Legend Story Studios, the company behind the trading card game Flesh and Blood, leading digital strategy, software development, and new product innovation.

Jarek’s work focuses on using emerging technologies like AI and interactive media to create inclusive and impactful experiences. Through his company Sonnar Interactive, he has led award-winning projects in accessible entertainment for blind and low-vision audiences worldwide.

At Media Design School at Strayer, he mentors students in digital product development, business strategy, and creative leadership, helping them launch meaningful careers in the creative tech industry.

Research Interests:
Design methodologies including UX design, critical design and systems thinking.
Voice User Interfaces
Usability Study
Audio in Games

Audio Game Hub

A collection of award-winning audio games designed for blind and low-vision players. The project pioneered accessible sound-based interaction and was featured by Google, and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

Recent Projects

I’ve founded multiple ventures, including Sonnar Interactive, which builds accessible technology solutions for global markets, and have led the design and delivery of more than 50 digital products across games, voice interfaces, and B2B platforms.

My work has been supported by international partners such as Google Ventures and the Amazon Alexa Fund, and I continue to collaborate with major tech organisations to drive inclusive innovation.

Audio Game Hub

A collection of award-winning audio games designed for blind and low-vision players. The project pioneered accessible sound-based interaction and was featured by Google, and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

www.audiogamehub.com

Sonnar Library

A global accessible digital library for blind and print-disabled readers. Developed in partnership with the Central Library of the Ukrainian Society of the Blind, it integrates AI narration, multilingual access, and cloud streaming.

www.sonnarlibrary.com

PhD in Accessible Design

Doctoral research focused on inclusive audio-based game design and adaptive interaction for blind and low-vision users. The research combined human-centered design, game mechanics, and assistive technology to improve digital accessibility in entertainment and education.

AUT Thesis Repository

Flesh and Blood (Legend Story Studios)

A global trading card game created by Legend Story Studios. As Director of Digital & Innovation, I lead the development of digital products, including the official website, card database, tournament tools, and new player experiences that connect physical and digital play.

www.fabtcg.com

Sonnar Interactive

An innovation-driven studio specializing in voice and audio-based applications. Creator of over 50 interactive experiences for Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and mobile, focused on accessibility and storytelling through sound.

www.sonnar.nz

Research and Awards