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

• C/C++

• C#

• Python

• Swift

• HTML, CSS

• JavaScript

• Node.js

• Express

• MongoDB, Mongoose

• Qt, PyQt, PySide

• Git, Perforce

• Unreal UGS

• Linux

• IBM Watson, Conversational AI

• OpenGL, GLSL, Graphics Programming

• Linear Algebra

• Bullet Physics, Box2D Physics

• Unity

• Unreal Engine

• 3D Asset Authoring

• Character Rigging/Animation

• Asset Implementation

• Maya, Houdini, 3ds Max, Zbrush

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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.

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Developed Projects

• Developed visualization tools and VR simulation software for SailGP and Oracle

• Developed visualization tools for PROXi VP.

• Developed procedural generation systems for Wellington City Council.

• Developed VR game software for BEYOND.

• Developed pipeline tools for Weta Digital to reduce operational overhead

• Developed a social-network web app as a full-stack web developer

• Developed C++, 3D, networked games and applications

• Developed custom 3D game engine for PC using OpenGL

• Developed custom 3D game engine for PS4 using Playstation SDK

• Developed 3D games using Unity and Unreal Engine 4

• Designed and implemented high quality 3D assets

• Tested and debugged offline and client/server based applications

• Developed for multiple platforms: Windows, iOS, Android, Web

• Wrote clean, clear and well-tested code for various projects

• Led and managed teams on 3D game projects

• Wrote and tested shader code/GLSL for GPU-based realtime rendering

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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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