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Artist Résumé

About
I'm a technically-minded Digital Artist and Software Engineer specialized in Computer Graphics and Interactive Media. I have over 10 years of professional experience as a contractor, working with industry-leading clients such as Epic Games, Oracle, SailGP, and Weta Digital (now Wētā FX).

My many interests have led me to gain skills in Illustration, 3D Assets, Photography, Video Production, and Animation all the way to software engineering skills in Games, Applications, Artificial Intelligence, Real-time Graphics, and Virtual Reality.

For me, art and programming are just two sides of the same coin!

Currently I am leading an independent game project for IMMERSIVE ILLUSIONS as its creative director.
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Technical Skills
  • Art and Illustration
  • Graphic Design
  • User Experience Design
  • Video and Editing
  • Full-stack Web Development
  • Game Design
  • Game Programming
  • 3D Modeling, Sculpting, Texturing
  • 3D Rigging, Animation and Rendering
  • 2D and 3D Motion Graphics
  • World/Environment Design
  • Photography
  • Team Management
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Proficient Software Skills
  • Photoshop
  • Illustrator
  • Maya
  • Houdini
  • 3ds Max
  • ZBrush
  • Unreal Engine
  • Unity
  • Premiere Pro/After Effects
  • Substance Painter/Substance Designer
  • GameMaker Studio
  • Cinema 4D
  • Visual Studio
  • C++
  • C#
  • Swift
  • Python
  • CSS, HTML
  • JavaScript
  • Node.js
  • Express
  • MongoDB
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Professional Experience​
  • [2024-2026] Creative Director at IMMERSIVE ILLUSIONS.
  • [2022-2024] UDN Partner at Epic Games.
  • [2020-2024] Software Engineer and Technical Artist at Prismatic Studios.
  • [2021] Game Art and Design Lecturer at Media Design School.
  • [2020] Creatures Department Intern at Weta Digital.
  • [2019] Game Programming Lead at Papertop Games.
  • [2018] Game Developer for Cathedra.
  • [2017] Lead Game Artist and Designer for Da Buoys.
  • [2017] Multidisciplinary Artist for freelance.
  • [2016] Lead Character Artist and Art Director for Guns, Camera, Action!
  • [2015] Game Programming Lead for Escalancers.
  • [2015] Game Design Lead for Cauldron Cannon.
  • [2014] Game Developer for CastleRise Arcade.
  • [2014] Film Editor in 48 Hour Film Festival.
  • [2013] Film Director for Envelope: a silent, short film.
  • [2013] Animator for Ludo: Mandoplasm Music Video.
  • [2013] Event Photographer at Auckland Grammar School.
  • [2012] Graphic Designer for Why Not? Indie Band.
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Education & Qualifications
  • [2017-2020] Bachelor of Software Engineering at Media Design School.
  • [2019] Playstation® Developer Certification at Media Design School.
  • [2014-2016] Bachelor of Creative Technologies at Media Design School.
  • [2013] National Winner of Music Video Competition at Smokefree Rockquest 2013.
  • [2013] Finalist of Bright Awards at Media Design School.
  • [2012] Certificate for Introduction to Animation at South Seas Film and TV School.
  • [2011] Certificate for Introduction to Web Design at Yoobee School of Design.
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Contact
contact@johnbu.com
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Linkedin
www.linkedin.com/in/john-bu/
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