Devon Ko's medical recovery

Hi, I’m Devon!

I’m in a tough spot. I’m on a mission to show people how to be creative with technology, but a medical crisis has put my life’s work in danger.

I started my career designing for companies like Dropbox, Adobe and GitHub. I loved designing software, but something was missing. Where was that deep-down, gut-level thrill for my work?

Then I discovered 3D. 3D is such a joyful, sublime creative playground unlike any other, and I was blasted into the next dimension by this new medium of possibility. It made me feel like a kid again, full of inspiration and excitement and wonder. I thought, "every designer should have the privilege of experiencing this!"

So I left the safety of a paycheck to build something of my own.'

Today I’m the creator of 3D for Designers, a learning platform and community for designers who want to learn 3D. I make my living as an enthusiastic guide to 3D newcomers who are ready for an exciting adventure in the third dimension. I help designers learn these skills so they can start the next chapter of their career, too!

It's hard, scrappy work but I’ve never been happier. It is my greatest thrill to see my students thriving, tapping into their innate curiosity, and bringing their enormous talent to the third dimension.

But the downside of sharing my passion independently is that a catastrophic event can blow up my entire world.

A few years ago, I found out I have a very rare condition that causes my blood vessels to grow twisted instead of straight. All that twisting can choke out blood flow to the organs, and it did: it destroyed one of my kidneys (affectionately nicknamed the SLK, my “shitty little kidney”) and irreparably damaged the other one.

I’ve repeatedly overcome the challenges of rapidly advancing kidney disease and kept building my business. With an enormous love, drive, and excitement for my work and students, I kept going.

But now I’m in trouble.

Catastrophic organ failure has sent me to the hospital. I’m doing everything I can to recover, but I can’t develop new material until I’m in better shape. So I’m asking for your support. With your help, I can bridge the gap between now, while I’m in the hospital, and the time where I can return to sharing my knowledge with anyone who gives me the opportunity.

I have so much left to give! I don’t want this crisis to stop me. Thank you for anything you can offer during my recovery.