Grzegorz Ligierko
Senior iOS Developer & Co-Founder
Graphics Programming • Machine Learning • Game Development
About
I specialize in high-performance iOS development, bridging technical innovation with intuitive user experiences. My work spans graphics programming, AI integration, and game development, with particular expertise in Metal shaders, force-directed layouts, and on-device machine learning.
As technical co-founder of In Other Words Studio, I recently launched a successful daily word puzzle that challenges players to navigate semantic relationships through an engaging visual interface. This experience exemplifies my approach to development: solving complex technical challenges while maintaining focus on user experience and performance.
With over a decade in iOS development, I've led multiple projects from concept to launch. I'm currently open to new opportunities where I can apply this expertise to ambitious technical challenges.
Skills
My expertise encompasses:
- iOS Development: Swift (10+ years), SwiftUI (2+ years), Objective-C (12+ years), Metal, Core frameworks
- Graphics Programming: Shader development, GPU optimization, 2D rendering, Custom animations
- AI & Machine Learning: Model integration, NLP systems, Real-time inference optimization
- System Architecture: High-performance design, Scalable backends, Data pipeline optimization
- Technical Leadership: Agile methodologies, Code review processes, CI/CD implementation
Projects

In Other Words transforms a decade of research into semantic relationships into engaging daily puzzles. As technical co-founder, I engineered systems that bridge computational efficiency with human intuition, developing innovations across several domains.
- Word Selection Engine: Developed a hybrid system combining traditional embedding vectors with weighted graph traversal to model nuanced word relationships
- Adaptive Hint System: Engineered a ray-tracing inspired algorithm that efficiently samples solution paths through semantic space
- Visual Interface: Built a high-performance iOS frontend using Metal and custom shaders, with force-directed layouts maintaining fluid 60fps interaction
The technical architecture balances computational constraints with cognitive patterns, letting players discover meaningful paths between concepts. Read more about the technical journey and design philosophy behind the project.

OtherWordly is a unique arcade-style game app that takes you on a galactic quest to connect related words. As the lead developer, I created the game's immersive word-matching mechanics, procedural obstacle generation, and AI-driven opponent behaviors using Swift, Metal, and advanced NLP techniques. The game has received critical acclaim.
I've led groundbreaking projects like SpicyNodes and App Store-featured applications such as WikiNodes.
Awards
- Serious Play Award - Recognizes outstanding games designed for education or training
- CODiE Award - Honors excellence in software development across various industries
- TIGA Award - Celebrates the best games and gaming talent in the UK and internationally
- Reimagine Education Award - Acknowledges innovative approaches to education through technology
- IndiePrize Award - Recognizes the best independent game developers from around the world
Publication
- IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 2009: Novel optimization techniques for force-directed layouts in computer graphics, improving performance and user interaction. These findings informed my work on complex data visualization systems.