About us!
The Zones were founded by longtime OpenSim creators and collaborators Kimm Starr and Cooper Swizzle. They have worked side by side for years, creating immersive virtual experiences, educational projects, events, and community spaces across OpenSim.
We bring more than 20 years of experience in virtual worlds, along with real-world experience as business owners and operators. Together, we combine creativity, technical knowledge, event planning, design, and community building to create engaging and welcoming experiences for future residents, educators, artists, and explorers alike.
see you inworld
the zones team
Kimm Starr
Kimm Starr is a virtual world artist, builder, and creator with more than 20 years of experience in virtual worlds and over 35 years in art and design. A former real-world business owner, she brings creative leadership, project management, and entrepreneurial experience into her virtual world work.
Kimm is known for her detailed environments, animesh creations, and immersive installations, she creates interactive experiences that bring people together through art, storytelling, and learning.
As the creator of Virtual Vignette and a longtime contributor to the OpenSim community, Kimm has helped lead workshops, expos, art exhibits, and cross-grid collaborations that encourage creativity and lifelong learning in virtual spaces.
cooper swizzle
Cooper Swizzle is a virtual world creator, educator, and longtime OpenSim community leader with more than 20 years of experience in virtual environments, digital collaboration, and online community building.
Before focusing full-time on virtual world projects, he owned and operated his own business in the real world and later worked as a corporate trainer for a major company, helping teams develop communication, presentation, and technology skills.
Known for blending creativity with practical knowledge, Cooper brings a strong background in training, marketing, and social engagement into the virtual world space.
In OpenSim, Cooper is recognized for his work in immersive education, interactive experiences, and community-driven events. He is part of the team behind the creation of the Animaster system, an innovative toolset designed to make working with animesh characters and animations more accessible and dynamic for creators.