BLAKE WILKS
Summary
Professional digital artist with 13 years of production experience. Proficient in a wide variety of 3D production skills, such as modeling, particle effects, surfacing, and animation. Experienced and trained in video editing, motion graphics, digital imaging, graphic design and traditional art.
Professional Experience
2014 – Current YESCO Outdoor Media Salt Lake City, Utah
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Design billboard advertisements for YESCO Outdoor Media clients. Both for print and digital billboards. Also responsible for business marketing materials, and documents. Programmed the advertising schedules for 30 digital billboards throughout Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon.
2014 – 2014 Xi3 Corporation Salt Lake City, Utah
3D MODELER/DIGITAL ARTIST
Worked with the marketing department creating art content for use in various social media video campaigns.
2012 – 2014 Broadview Entertainment Arts University (BEAU) Salt Lake City, Utah
ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR
Teaching courses in Game Art (3D Modeling & Animation) Photoshop, Digital Video and Computer Fundamentals for Digital Media.
2012 – 2014 Memorial Monuments Salt Lake City, Utah
MONUMENT LAYOUT ARTIST
Design and create artwork for granite monuments,
using vector based art work. Sketch and draw unique artwork at
customers request.
2007 – 2011 Disney Interactive/Avalanche Software Salt Lake City, Utah
FX ARTIST/ WORLD MODELER
Produced visual effects by creating particles, models, and texture maps. Combined and animated the geometry and particles into full visual effects. Modeled buildings, and props for level environments.
Key Achievements:
Created special effects for the Wii version of “Cars 2 the video game”(2011).Particle effects for the clock tower level in “Epic Mickey”(2010).
Special effects for Playstation3, XBOX 360, and Wii versions of “Toy Story 3 the video game” (2010).
Particle effects and modeling for “Ultimate Band” (2008).
Particle effects and modeling for the Nintendo DS SKU of “The Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian” (2008).
2002 - 2007 Sony Computer Entertainment/Incognito Salt Lake City, Utah
SENIOR 3D MODELER
Built models (buildings, set population) from concept art and style guides. Prepared UV's and surfaces for shaders and textures.
Key Achievements:
Built models for the Playstation3 game “Warhawk” (2007).Modeled 3D sets and created particle effects for cinematics used in the Playstation2 title “Downhill Domination”(2003).
2002 - 2002 Headgate Studios Bountiful, Utah
CONTRACT 3D ARTIST
Provided 3D content and artwork for the PC based video game“Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003” distributed by EA Sports.
2001 - 2002 Argonaut CG Films American Fork, Utah
3D ARTIST
Created 3D animated movies for the Playstation2 video game “War of the Monsters” (2002). Specifically responsible for modeling, editing and compositing video, and special effects using Maya particles.
2001 - 2001 Arius 3D American Fork, Utah
3D IMAGING SPECIALIST
Created 3D models for media such as Film, Video Games, Web sites, Manufacturing, and Museum archives. Also created animations for promotional material.
2000 - 2002 Utah Career College South Jordan, Utah
MULTI-MEDIA INSTRUCTOR
Taught classes in 3D Modeling and Animation (Maya & Lightwave), Digital Video (Premiere), Special Effects (After Effects), Photoshop, Art History and Drawing.
1999 - Present Freelance Work
3D Animations, Web Graphics, Logos and Graphic Design for use in architectural demonstrations, web pages, and print materials.
Education & Training
1996 - 1999 The Academy of Art College San Francisco, California
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Art (3-D Modeling and Animation)
1994 - 1996 Idaho State University Pocatello, Idaho
Completed course work for a minor in German before transferring to the Academy of Art College
Software Experience
3D Modeling and Animation- Maya, Lightwave, Paraform
Video Production - Adobe Premiere & After
Effects, Sony Vegas
Desktop Publishing – Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator, and In Design.
