3D Artist Resume—Examples, Template, and 25+ Writing Tips

3D Artist Resume—Examples, Template, and 25+ Writing Tips

You sculpt life-like objects out of virtual clay, hiking across the uncanny valley on a daily basis to do it. Carve out a 3D artist resume that turns heads. Here’s how.

Bart Turczynski
Bart Turczynski
Career Expert

You have a great portfolio, but, no one’s going to bother clicking on that link if they don’t know you exist.

And besides, beautifully rendered, lusciously lit 3D graphics are just one part of the equation. You need to work well with others if your talents are to be of use to a company. Enter your 3D artist resume.

In this guide:

  • A 3D artist resume sample better than most out there.
  • How to create the perfect 3D artist resume job descriptions.
  • How to write a resume for 3D artist jobs that stands out.
  • Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing a job as a 3D artist.

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Just finished college, applying to graduate school or looking for an internship? Looking to share your 3D artist knowledge through teaching? See our guides:

3D Artist Resume Template

Thomas Gosnell

3D Artist

Personal Info

Phone: 985-318-8487

E-mail: tom.d.gosnell@reslab.com

linkedin.com/in/thomasgosnell

www.tom-d-gosnell.art

Summary

Industrious 3D artist with 5+ years’ experience working in game design, architectural modeling, and asset creation. Seeking to bring fresh ideas and interdisciplinary approach to Waxy’s work. At StutterFox Studios, created 200+ organic models, environment props, and medical tool assets and updated over 1,100 assets across 13 games.

Experience 

3D Artist

StutterFox Studios, Los Angeles, CA

2017–present

  • Created 200+ organic models, environment props, and medical tool assets in 3D.
  • Updated over 1,100 pre-existing assets in 13 StutterFox games.
  • Worked with three dev teams to create prototypes, games, and products for Linux, Windows, and Android.
  • Modeled an innovative fog of war obfuscation mechanism based on ray tracing techniques.

Junior 3D Environment Artist

WallGlow, Los Angeles, CA

2015–2017

  • Optimized topology in “Barn Busters IV” to boost framerates by up to 43%.
  • Conceptualized, modeled, and textured 180+ environment assets for four different FPS games.
  • Rendered 11 VR walkthroughs for architectural concepts.

Education 

BS in Animation, The Los Angeles Film School

2011–2015

  • Pursued a passion for world-building through a Game Art concentration.
  • Ran a lucrative Second Life business selling virtual real estate and items.

Specialist Software

  • CAD: Autodesk 3DS Max Design
  • Development environments: Crytek CryEngine, Maya, Unreal Engine
  • Graphics: Blender, Pixologic Zbrush, Trimble SketchUp Pro
  • Video: Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects, Chaos Group V-Ray

Languages

  • Spanish – Advanced
  • French – Beginner

Key Skills 

  • Architectural modeling
  • Lighting
  • Project management
  • Asset creation
  • Texture maps
  • Organization
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Time management
  • Client interaction

Now here’s how to write a 3D artist resume that’ll have them rubbing their eyes:

1. Equip the Right 3D Artist Resume Format

Not all 3D artists work on video games. Far from it. But you can appreciate the frustration that precedes a rage-quit, when the form of a thing interferes with its function.

Don’t leave recruiters and hiring managers rage-quitting your 3D artist resume. Make sure your resume format is a pleasure to navigate. Here’s how:

3D Artist Resume Format

Don’t add a full address to your resume. Only your name and surname, telephone number, and email address should be included in the resume header (your LinkedIn URL is optional).

Expert Hint: PDF is the way to go for a resume, that’s no secret. Just double check that the job ad doesn’t require something else. Always go with what is specified there.

2. Write a Teaser of a 3D Artist Resume Objective or Summary

Whatever your specialization, you have your version of a pitch or trailer or demo. So you already know the importance of a good resume profile. If you have some experience as a 3D artist, then a resume summary is what you’re after.

Use:

  1. One adjective (efficient, innovative, passionate)
  2. Job title (3D Artist, 3D Environment Artist)
  3. Years of experience (3+, 7+)
  4. What you intend to do for your employer (remove bottlenecks in the asset production pipeline)
  5. Two or three of your most impressive achievements (rendered over 50 designs, automated asset-update processes to reduce wait times by 33%)

These resume summary examples show how:

3D Artist Resume Summary

Good Example
Industrious 3D artist with 5+ years’ experience working in game design, architectural modeling, and asset creation. Seeking to bring fresh ideas and interdisciplinary approach to Waxy’s work. At StutterFox Studios, created 200+ organic models, environment props, and medical tool assets and updated over 1,100 assets across 13 games.
Bad Example
Creative 3D artist with 5 years’ experience. Seeking opportunities to broaden horizons with a young, dynamic company like Waxy. At StutterFox Studios, created organic models, environment props, and medical tool assets and updated game assets.

Who would you hire?

They both do a good job of including resume power words, but, it’s the first one that includes concrete achievements backed up by numbers. And it’s focused on what the candidate can do for the employer, not the other way around.

Fantastic, but what if you’re writing a resume with no experienceNo problem.

Start with a resume objective statement and focus on whatever relevant experience you do have. Check out these resume introduction samples:

3D Artist Resume Objective

Good Example
Industrious 3D artist with 2 years’ experience working on friends’ private game-design projects. Seeking to bring fresh ideas and interdisciplinary approach to Waxy’s work. Skilled with Blender, 3DS Max, and Unreal Engine.
Bad Example
Inexperienced 3D artist with impressive portfolio of amateur projects. Looking to join the Waxy team and gain new skills. Familiar with a range of 3D modeling and graphics packages.

Same candidate, very different impressions. Be as specific as possible—And always focus on what you can do for them.

Expert Hint: Writing a resume profile can be tricky, but there’s a bit of a hack to it: hold off on writing it until after you’ve got your work history and skills sections down.

3. Create the Perfect 3D Artist Job Descriptions and Skills Section

This is the rigging of your 3D artist resume.

Your resume work history section is what recruiters are most interested in. No need to start from a blank canvas, though—Here’s a color-by-numbers:

  1. 3D scan the job ad with your eyes.
  2. Pick up on the 3D artist skills and duties mentioned therein.
  3. Think of situations in which you’ve used those skills to put on a resume.
  4. Write resume bullet points that describe those situations, what you did, and how your employer benefited as a result.
  5. Quantify everything you can!

These 3D artist resume examples illustrate the dos and don’ts:

3D Artist Resume Job Descriptions

Good Example

3D Artist

StutterFox Studios, Los Angeles, CA

2017–present

  • Created 200+ organic models, environment props, and medical tool assets in 3D.
  • Updated over 1,100 pre-existing assets in 13 StutterFox games.
  • Worked with three dev teams to create prototypes, games, and products for Linux, Windows, and Android.
  • Modeled an innovative fog of war obfuscation mechanism based on ray tracing techniques.
Bad Example

3D Artist

StutterFox Studios, Los Angeles, CA

2017–present

  • Created organic models, environment props, and medical tool assets.
  • Updated pre-existing assets in StutterFox games.
  • Worked with devs to create prototypes, games, and products for multiple platforms.
  • Modeled an innovative fog of war obfuscation mechanism based on ray tracing techniques.

Neither one is bad, but that’s neither here nor there. It’s the better one that’ll get through to the next stage. The first example is concrete and quantified—It wins the sudden-death round.

Use resume achievements from non 3D artist jobs, volunteer work, and your studies if you don’t have any directly relevant experience. Lean on something like a Context-Action-Result formula if you’re struggling.

Expert Hint: How to list promotions and multiple positions on a resume? Stack the job titles under the company name umbrella.

Once you’re done with your job descriptions, you’ll need a resume skills section. The job ad is your guide to selecting relevant skills. Make sure to add both, soft and computer skills.

The list below is just a convenient point of departure:

Skills for a 3D Artist Resume

  • Architectural modeling
  • Character design
  • Rigging
  • Animation
  • Virtual lighting
  • Project management
  • Graphic design
  • Asset creation
  • Texture maps
  • Level design
  • Organization
  • Collaboration
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Communication
  • Efficiency
  • Time management
  • Visualization
  • Originality
  • Written expression
  • Client interaction
  • Communication skills
  • Technical skills such as Adobe Creative Suite

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4. Make Your Education Section a Reason to Hire You

A formal education isn’t always required to become a 3D artist—But an education section is always required in a 3D artist resume. Keep the core of it simple:

Degree (with major), school, and years attended. Then, add bullets that point to relevant skills. Here’s how:

3D Artist Resume Example—Education

Good Example

Education 

BS in Animation, The Los Angeles Film School

2011–2015

  • Pursued a passion for world-building through a Game Art concentration.
  • Ran a lucrative Second Life business selling virtual real estate and items.

3D artist job descriptions looking light? Low on experience?

Add more bullet points to your education section: Include project work, classes, relevant coursework, and accomplishments that make it clear you’ve got what it takes to make it as a 3D artist.

Expert Hint: Should you include a scholarship in your resume? Definitely! Create a separate “Awards” section and list it there.

5. Overclock Your 3D Artist Resume With Added Sections

Fluff, bells, and whistles: you want none of these in your 3D artist resume. But, you do want to boost the resolution of your resume:

Add one or two extra sections. Here’s what else you can include in your resume:

But it’s not a case of “anything goes”:

3D Artist Resume Examples—Extra Sections

Good Example

Specialist Software

  • CAD: Autodesk 3DS Max Design
  • Development environments: Crytek CryEngine, Maya, Unreal Engine
  • Graphics: Blender, Pixologic Zbrush, Trimble SketchUp Pro
  • Video: Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects, Chaos Group V-Ray

Languages

  • Spanish – Advanced
  • French – Beginner
Bad Example

Interests

  • Playing guitar
  • Rum tasting
  • E-sports

Languages

  • Spanish
  • French

The first example gets the basics right: It’s specific, concrete, and relevant. Interests can be a real asset, but they have to be relevant to the job at hand.

One last thing! Unless you’ve been told otherwise, you need to write a cover letter. Cover letters are usually necessary and not including one is a great way to have your job application fail to load.

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Key Points

For a 3D artist resume that gets interviews:

  • Use the 3D artist resume template up top. It’s as clean as an all-marble room.
  • Put 3D artist achievementsin your summary/objective, work history, and education sections to show you’ve got what it takes to thrive.
  • Choose the right 3D artist skills. Think of the job ad as your client brief and let it be your guide.
  • Write a 3D artist cover letter. Use it to billboard your passion and showcase your achievements.

Need more help with writing a 3D artist resume? Feel free to drop us a line in the comments section below—we’ll be glad to get back to you.

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.

Bart Turczynski

Bart Turczynski’s career advice and commentary have been published by Glassdoor, The Chicago Tribune, Workopolis, The Financial Times, Hewlett-Packard, and CareerBuilder, among others. Bart’s mission is to promote the best, data-informed, and up-to-date career advice through numerous online communities and publications. Bart’s lifelong passion for politics and a strong background in psychology make all the advice he publishes unique and supported by detailed research.

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