In early February 2025, an innovative week-long event, Quantum Creators Con, brought together students in quantum information science and the creative arts to explore fresh ways of communicating quantum computing concepts. Organized by QuEra Computing and hosted primarily at City College of New York (with a culminating showcase at Columbia University), the gathering challenged participants to connect complex hardware principles—specifically focused on QuEra’s neutral-atom quantum computers—with accessible, visually compelling content.
According to Yelissa Lopez, Government and Industry Advocate at QuEra, the idea stemmed from a desire to foster diversity within quantum computing. While STEM fields often lack representation across various demographics, creative disciplines usually have more inclusive communities. The event’s goal was to harness storytelling, design-thinking abilities, and broad backgrounds of creative individuals to make quantum topics clearer and more engaging to a non-technical audience.
Yelissa encapsulated this vision under what she terms “diverse talent reallocation.” Rather than pushing only technical training programs, the event sought to open up new pathways in workforce development—recognizing that product marketing, public policy, user-centric design, and other non-technical roles will be just as vital to the quantum industry’s growth.
Running from February 3 to February 9 and supported by partners including the Global Talent Network (UK), Error Corp, Moth Quantum, and the Unitary Fund, Quantum Creators Con welcomed:
Throughout the week, participants engaged in technical workshops led by QuEra experts and creative sessions guided by design professionals. The intensive schedule offered a crash course in neutral-atom quantum hardware— a cutting-edge approach to quantum computing, used by QuEra, that leverages laser-trapped atoms as qubits—while challenging teams to translate this science into compelling creative works.
They ultimately had four project prompts to choose from:
At week’s end, participants had 1 minute and 30 seconds during the showcase to present their creations. While a brief window to explain complex science, it forced teams to home in on clarity and impact.
The Quantifiers
Team Members: Rohma Khan, Shakibul Alam, and Thanjila Thashin.
Project: An interactive 3D website that dives into the inner workings of QuEra’s neutral-atom quantum hardware. Using 3D modeling tools (Blender, Spline) and motion graphics (After Effects), the team built an online platform where visitors can rotate and zoom in on the device’s components. Playful animations reveal how atoms are trapped, cooled, and manipulated by lasers. Clear text explanations accompany each step, but the emphasis lies on a hands-on digital experience that’s accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
Project: https://www.diveintoquantum.com/
Möbius
Team Members: Ray Wang, Ege Tezcan, Facundo Gabriel Aguirre .
Project: QCipher, a game that guides players through key quantum concepts—trapping atoms with laser beams, superposition, and entanglement—using concise narration, cinematic animations, and interactive puzzle elements. A hidden code underscores quantum computing’s role in cryptography. The team prioritized succinct explanations and striking visuals to spark curiosity in general audiences, hoping users would seek further learning after being introduced to the marvels of neutral-atom hardware.
Project: Google Drive Link to Project
Et Al
Team Members: Yiqi Chen, Cheewon Choi, and Richard Monge.
Project: Quantum Atlas, an imaginative puzzle-like illustration that condenses neutral-atom hardware’s sequence—from lasers and spatial light modulators (SLMs) to magneto-optical traps (MOTs), Rydberg atoms, and measurement phases—into a striking, minimalistic design. The group incorporated interactive features where users “align” lasers to trap atoms and observe how data gets collected. Their decision to minimize text aimed at lowering language barriers, letting visuals drive the story instead of dense scientific explanation.
Project: https://quantumatlas.vercel.app/
For QuEra, Quantum Creators Con served as a powerful catalyst for translating complex technology into compelling, public-facing narratives. It enabled the team to gather feedback from creative thinkers, refine communication strategies, and strengthen ties with universities and government partners. Attendees walked away with a key insight: meaningful workforce development in quantum must go beyond PhDs in physics. It requires a vibrant, interdisciplinary ecosystem that includes design, marketing, communications, and more.
The event’s 150-person final showcase was a testament to the growing public interest in new models of quantum education. And one of the clearest takeaways? When you pair technically skilled STEM students with visionary creatives, you spark a unique synergy—one that can inspire broad audiences and reshape how we imagine the future of computing.
Quantum Creators Con marked a bold shift in STEM outreach, proving the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration. By embracing diverse skill sets—from art and design to software and science—the event redefined what effective science communication can look like in the quantum era.
As quantum hardware continues to evolve, the demand for inclusive, innovative approaches to public engagement will only grow. This event set a compelling precedent: when creatives and scientists co-create, they don’t just communicate technology—they expand its possibilities.
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