In today’s competitive job market, a standout resume is essential for 3D artists looking to secure their dream positions in animation, gaming, or architectural visualization.
In this article, we will explore the key elements of a successful 3D artist resume, provide practical tips for formatting and content, and present examples that highlight best practices.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, this guide will help you create a document that captures attention and opens doors.
3D artist resume examples
Game 3D artist resume sample
Game 3D artist resume template
Resume for game 3D artists | Plain text
Name: John Carter
Location: San Francisco, CA
Phone: (415) 555-1234
Email: john.carter@gmail.com
Portfolio: www.johncarter3D.comSummary
Passionate and innovative 3D game designer with 7+ years of experience in developing game assets, environments, and characters for both AAA and indie titles. Adept at working in Unity and Unreal Engine, with a strong background in modeling, texturing, and animation.
Experience
3D Game Designer
Ubisoft San Francisco – San Francisco, CA
August 2020 – Present
- Collaborate with the design team to create detailed 3D assets for a AAA open-world game.
- Model and texture over 50 high-quality game assets, including characters, props, and environments using Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter.
- Optimize 3D models to meet performance requirements on various platforms including PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
- Work closely with animators and game developers to ensure assets were seamlessly integrated into gameplay.
Junior 3D Artist
Riot Games – Los Angeles, CA
January 2017 – July 2020
- Assisted in the design and development of in-game assets for League of Legends, including props and skins.
- Created textures and materials using Photoshop and Substance Painter to enhance the visual appeal of the game.
- Collaborated with the animation team to rig and animate characters for in-game cutscenes and cinematics.
- Participated in team brainstorming sessions to enhance game aesthetics and player experience.
Skills
- Software: Maya, Blender, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Unity, Unreal Engine
- Technical: Low and high poly modeling, PBR texturing, UV mapping, character rigging, and animation
- Other: Game design, level design, visual storytelling
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design
Academy of Art University – San Francisco, CA
Graduated: May 2016
Projects
"Legend of Exos" (PC/Console) – Ubisoft San Francisco
- Designed key characters and assets for a fantasy RPG game, focusing on high-detail environments and hero characters.
- Contributed to the visual development of the game’s mythical world, including terrain sculpting and complex structures.
- Received recognition for producing an interactive demo that helped secure project funding.
Strong sides of this 3D artist resume:
- Each section is logically placed, beginning with a strong opening statement and followed by detailed experience and relevant skills.
- Uses precise terminology that directly appeals to game industry employers, showing familiarity with the language of the field.
- Lists the most relevant tools for game design, making it easy for recruiters to immediately see the candidate's technical competencies.
- How to properly format a resume for a 3D artist?
- Font. Use clean, modern fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, or Calibri. Avoid overly decorative fonts, as they may distract from your qualifications.
- Font size. Stick to 10–12 pt for body text and 14–16 pt for headings.
- Colors. If you want your application to stand out visually, you can add subtle color accents for headings or borders, but avoid going overboard.
- Length. Keep your resume concise—ideally one page, but no more than two pages if you have extensive experience.
- Spacing. Use 1-inch margins and plenty of white space to keep it easy to read. Line spacing should be between 1.15 and 1.5.
- Align text. Left-align most of your text. You can center your name and contact details at the top for a balanced look.
- File format. Save your 3D artist resume as a PDF to ensure it retains its layout across different devices.
Use an online resume builder to avoid formatting issues.
Resume Trick provides pre-designed free resume templates that ensure your application looks professional.
Create your professional Resume in 10 minutes for FREE
Build My ResumeArchitectural 3D artist resume example
Sample architectural 3D artist resume
Name: Sarah Martinez
Location: New York, NY
Phone: (212) 555-7890
Email: sarah.martinez@gmail.com
Portfolio: www.sarahmartinez3D.comObjective
Detail-oriented Architectural 3D artist with over 8 years of experience creating photorealistic visualizations, renderings, and walk-throughs for high-profile commercial and residential projects. Seeking to leverage my expertise in 3ds Max, V-Ray, and AutoCAD to bring architectural visions to life.
Experience
Senior Architectural 3D Artist
Gensler – New York, NY
March 2020 – Present
- Develop high-quality 3D models, renderings, and visualizations for luxury hotels, office spaces, and mixed-use developments.
- Work closely with architects and designers to create accurate and detailed 3D renderings of architectural concepts.
- Lead a small team of junior 3D artists in creating renderings for client presentations and marketing materials.
- Utilize 3ds Max, V-Ray, and Photoshop to produce photorealistic images that helped clients visualize final projects.
Architectural Visualization Artist
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) – Chicago, IL
July 2016 – February 2020
- Created detailed 3D visualizations for high-rise buildings, public spaces, and residential developments.
- Collaborated with architects and urban designers to generate interactive 3D walkthroughs using Unreal Engine.
- Produced lighting simulations and shadow studies to assist in planning and zoning approvals.
- Consistently met tight deadlines and delivered high-quality renderings for projects worth $100M+.
Skills
- 3ds Max
- V-Ray
- SketchUp
- Revit
- AutoCAD
- Photoshop
- 3D modeling
- BIM integration
- Architectural visualization
- Urban planning
Education
Master of Architecture
Columbia University – New York, NY
Graduated: May 2016
Awards & Recognition
2022 Visualization Excellence Award – Gensler
- Recognized for delivering an award-winning series of photorealistic renders that were used in a high-profile international architecture competition.
Best 3D Render – Architectural Digest's "Future Cities" competition, 2021
- Honored for creating a cutting-edge visualization of an eco-friendly urban space, receiving accolades for creativity and technical execution.
Here are a few reasons why this example of a 3D artist resume will impress recruiters:
- By mentioning leadership experience in managing junior artists, the document highlights responsibility and project management capabilities.
- Combines artistic skills with technical competencies, presenting a well-rounded profile that speaks to multiple needs within architectural firms.
- The "Awards & Recognition" section strengthens the resume, showcasing external validation of the candidate's work and success in high-profile competitions.
- Should I choose a 3D artist resume summary or objective?
A resume summary highlights your key skills and achievements, giving employers a snapshot of your expertise.
- Use this if you have several years of relevant work under your belt.
3D artist resume summary sample:
Creative 3D artist with 5+ years of experience in character modeling, animation, and visual effects for AAA games. Skilled in Blender, Maya, and Unreal Engine, with a passion for creating immersive environments.
A resume objective states your career goals and how you intend to apply your skills in the role you're targeting.
- Best for entry-level artists or those making a career change.
3D artist resume objective example:
Aspiring 3D artist with a strong foundation in modeling and texturing, seeking to apply skills in a fast-paced game development studio. Proficient in ZBrush and Substance Painter.
- How to showcase your 3D artist resume skills?
The skills section is vital because it highlights your proficiency with the tools, techniques, and abilities that are essential in the 3D art industry. It helps recruiters quickly identify if you possess the necessary technical expertise and personal attributes to succeed in the role.
- Hard skills are technical, job-specific know-how that are often acquired through education, training, or hands-on experience.
- Soft skills are interpersonal, social, and emotional competences ls that influence how you interact with others and manage tasks.
3D artist hard skills:
- 3D Modeling
- Texturing
- Rigging
- Animation
- Lighting and Rendering
- Sculpting (e.g., ZBrush)
- UV Mapping
- Game Engine Integration (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine)
- Visual Effects (VFX)
- Motion Capture
Soft skills for a 3D artist:
- Creativity
- Problem-Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Time Management
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Self-Motivation
- Critical Thinking
- Ability to Handle Feedback
Freelance 3D artist resume template
Freelance 3D artist resume sample
Resume for freelance 3D artist | Text version
Name: Alex Freeman
Location: Austin, TX
Phone: (512) 555-4567
Email: alex.freeman3D@gmail.com
Portfolio: www.alexfreemanart.comSummary
Experienced Freelance 3D artist specializing in product design and visualization for consumer electronics, furniture, and industrial design. Adept at creating high-quality 3D models and photorealistic renders that help companies bring their products to market.
Freelance Projects
3D Product Designer
Apple Inc. – Remote
June 2022 – Present
- Create 3D models and detailed renders for Apple's upcoming line of accessories, including cases, stands, and headphones.
- Collaborate with the industrial design team to ensure models accurately reflected product specifications and branding.
- Produce high-quality renders that were used in marketing materials and promotional campaigns.
- Deliver assets optimized for AR applications, ensuring seamless integration into Apple's ecosystem.
3D Visualization Artist
Herman Miller – Remote
February 2020 – May 2022
- Designed 3D models and photorealistic renders for a new line of ergonomic office chairs, focusing on material accuracy and product detailing.
- Worked closely with the product development team to create visually engaging models for use in both digital catalogs and physical showrooms.
- Developed animations and interactive 3D walkthroughs to enhance customer experiences on the company’s website.
- Provided design support by creating variations of products for client presentations.
3D Generalist
Nike – Remote
July 2018 – January 2020
- Modeled and rendered detailed 3D representations of sports footwear and accessories for use in Nike's online store.
- Created 360-degree product visualizations that enhanced customer engagement and increased online sales.
- Assisted the marketing team by producing dynamic visual content for promotional campaigns and product launches.
- Ensured models were optimized for use in AR experiences, enhancing customer interactivity.
Skills
- Software: Blender, Maya, KeyShot, SolidWorks, Rhino, Photoshop
- Technical: High-poly modeling, product visualization, rendering, lighting, texturing
- Other: Project management, freelance client coordination, AR model optimization, rapid prototyping
Education
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design
University of Texas – Austin, TX
Graduated: May 2018
Certifications
- Product Visualization for 3D Artists – LinkedIn Learning, 2020
- Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP) – Dassault Systèmes, 2019
This sample 3D artist resume is effective for several reasons:
- While showing creative and technical skills, it also emphasizes freelance client coordination and project management.
- Each section delivers value, keeping the focus on relevant experience, tools, and achievements.
- Remote work with major brands is a strong point, given the current demand for freelancers.
- What educational credentials should I add to my 3D artist resume?
The education section showcases your formal training and relevant qualifications, which can be crucial, especially for junior-level roles or those requiring specialized knowledge.
- Include your degree (e.g., Bachelor's in Animation or Fine Arts).
- Mention the name of the institution where you completed your education.
- List your graduation date or the expected date on the 3D artist resume.
- Optional but useful—add coursework related to 3D art, animation, or game design.
- Write any relevant industry certifications, such as those for software proficiency.
- How to organize the experience section in a 3D artist resume?
Arrange this part in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position.
For each job:
- Clearly state your role (e.g., "3D Artist," "Character Animator").
- Include the name of the employer and where the company is based.
- Specify the start and end dates (month/year).
- Use bullet points to describe your main tasks.
- Start each bullet with action verbs (e.g., "modeled," "designed," "animated").
Conclusion
Creating a compelling 3D artist resume is a critical step for any specialist aiming to advance their career.
Remember to tailor your document to each job application, showcasing the skills and experiences that align with the specific requirements of the position.
With these strategies and examples in mind, you are well-equipped to build a resume for free that not only stands out but also effectively communicates your passion and expertise as a 3D artist.