CGI Artist Resume examples & templates
Copyable CGI Artist Resume examples
Ever wondered what it takes to bring digital worlds to life? As a CGI Artist, you'll blend technical precision with boundless creativity to craft everything from breathtaking movie sequences to immersive game environments. The field has evolved dramatically since the blocky graphics of the 1990s—today's artists work with sophisticated tools like Maya, Blender, and Houdini to create photorealistic renders that are virtually indistinguishable from reality. According to recent industry reports, CGI artists with specialized skills in real-time rendering are seeing a 34% higher demand than just three years ago, partly fueled by the explosion of virtual production techniques.
The line between what's real and what's computer-generated continues to blur. With the rise of virtual production studios (like those used in "The Mandalorian"), CGI artists are now collaborating with filmmakers in real-time, adjusting digital environments on the fly while actors perform. This shift has created exciting new career paths that didn't exist even five years ago. Whether you're drawn to film, gaming, architectural visualization, or emerging AR/VR applications, the CGI landscape is expanding faster than ever—and skilled artists who can navigate this evolving terrain will shape how we experience digital content for years to come.
Junior CGI Artist Resume Example
Maya Patel
Los Angeles, CA • (323) 555-8741 • maya.patel@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mayapatel • Portfolio: mayapatelcgi.com
PROFILE
Recent graduate with a BFA in Digital Arts and 1+ year of experience creating 3D models, textures, and animations for indie games and short films. Skilled in Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter with a strong eye for lighting and composition. Looking to bring my technical abilities and creative vision to a junior CGI artist position where I can grow while contributing to meaningful projects.
EXPERIENCE
Junior CGI Artist – Pixel Dreams Studio, Los Angeles, CA
March 2023 – Present
- Create and texture 3D assets for mobile game environments, meeting 92% of deadlines despite tight production schedules
- Collaborate with 4 senior artists to develop consistent visual style across game levels
- Model and texture 30+ environmental props per month, improving workflow efficiency by 17%
- Assist with lighting setups for key game cutscenes (mostly exterior daylight scenarios)
CGI Intern – VisualSphere Productions, Burbank, CA
August 2022 – February 2023
- Supported senior artists by preparing texture maps and optimizing 3D models
- Assisted with motion capture cleanup for 2 commercial projects
- Created preliminary lighting setups for product visualization shots
- Developed techniques for efficiently converting high-poly concept models to game-ready assets
Freelance 3D Artist
January 2022 – August 2022
- Modeled and textured character assets for indie game developer “Moonshot Games”
- Created architectural visualization renders for a local interior design firm
- Developed an 8-minute animated short film as part of a 3-person team (my cat Pixel makes a cameo appearance!)
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Digital Arts & Animation
California Institute of the Arts – Valencia, CA
Graduated: December 2021 – GPA: 3.7
Relevant Coursework: 3D Modeling, Digital Lighting, Character Animation, Texture Creation, Visual Storytelling, Rendering Techniques
CERTIFICATIONS
- Autodesk Certified Professional: Maya (2022)
- Substance Painter Certification – Intermediate Level (2023)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- 3D Software: Maya, ZBrush, Blender, Cinema 4D (basic)
- Texturing: Substance Painter, Substance Designer, Photoshop
- Rendering: Arnold, V-Ray, Redshift
- Animation: Basic keyframe animation, mocap cleanup
- Game Engines: Unity, Unreal Engine (learning)
- Other: Git version control, basic Python scripting
PROJECTS
- “Forgotten Realms” – Created environment assets and lighting for award-winning student short film
- “Nexus Rising” – Designed and textured character weapons for indie mobile game
Mid-level CGI Artist Resume Example
Michael Ramirez
Chicago, IL | (312) 555-8294 | mramirez.cgi@email.com | linkedin.com/in/michaelramirez-cgi
CGI Artist with 5+ years crafting photorealistic environments and characters for film, gaming, and advertising. Specializing in Houdini FX simulations and Maya character rigging with a focus on natural movement physics. Known for quick turnaround on complex projects while maintaining quality—recently completed a 47-asset library for a AAA game studio in just 8 weeks (2 weeks ahead of schedule).
Experience
Senior CGI Artist | Vertex Studios | Chicago, IL | January 2021 – Present
- Lead artist on 3 major automotive commercial projects, creating photorealistic vehicle renders that reduced need for physical photography by 76%
- Developed procedural workflow for creating customizable urban environments, cutting production time from 14 days to just 5
- Trained and mentored 4 junior artists on advanced lighting techniques and material creation
- Created custom Houdini tools for the team that standardized destruction effects across projects
- Collaborated with art directors to translate conceptual briefs into technical specifications for the 3D team
CGI Artist | Dimension Digital | Chicago, IL | June 2019 – December 2020
- Modeled and textured 30+ consumer products for e-commerce platforms, maintaining 98% client approval rate
- Optimized rendering pipeline that decreased render times by 41% while improving final image quality
- Contributed to a team of 6 artists working on a national fast food chain’s product visualization campaign
- Handled last-minute client revisions under tight deadlines without compromising quality (once turned around 13 revision requests in a single 10-hour day)
Junior 3D Artist | Creative Pixel Studio | Milwaukee, WI | August 2018 – May 2019
- Assisted senior artists with modeling, texturing, and lighting for architectural visualizations
- Created material libraries that were used across multiple projects, saving approximately 6 hours per project
- Handled basic compositing tasks in Nuke, integrating 3D elements with live-action footage
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Digital Arts & Animation
School of Visual Arts, New York, NY | Graduated: 2018
Certifications & Additional Training
- Certified Houdini FX Artist (Advanced) | SideFX | 2021
- Arnold Rendering Masterclass | Autodesk | 2020
- Character Creation for Film | CGMA | 2019
Technical Skills
- 3D Software: Maya, Houdini, ZBrush, Cinema 4D, Blender
- Rendering: Arnold, V-Ray, Redshift, Octane, Renderman
- Compositing: Nuke, After Effects
- Texturing: Substance Painter/Designer, Mari, Photoshop
- Simulation: Fluid dynamics, cloth, destruction, particles
- Scripting: Python, MEL, VEX
- Pipeline: Shotgun, Deadline, custom rendering workflows
Selected Projects
Chariot Racing Game (2022) – Created 16 unique environment assets and handled fluid simulations for dust and water effects
Luxury Watch Campaign (2021) – Sole CGI artist for a 5-product visualization series that appeared in print and digital media
SciFi Feature Film (2020) – Contributed to background environment assets and atmospheric effects for 7 key scenes
Senior / Experienced CGI Artist Resume Example
Gina Patel
Los Angeles, CA | (323) 555-0178 | gpatel@visualcraft.net | linkedin.com/in/ginapatel-cgi
Senior CGI Artist with over 10 years crafting photorealistic 3D assets and environments for film, television, and gaming. Specialized in complex creature design, texturing, and lighting that enhances storytelling. Known for quick technical problem-solving and maintaining consistent quality while meeting tight production deadlines. Experienced mentor who’s helped junior artists develop their skills and workflow efficiency.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior 3D Artist | Horizon Visual Effects | Los Angeles, CA | 2019 – Present
- Lead a team of 7 artists creating photorealistic CG elements for Marvel’s Eternal Shadows franchise, delivering 87 complex shots ahead of schedule
- Developed proprietary hair and fur simulation system that reduced rendering time by 31% while improving visual fidelity
- Collaborated with art directors to establish visual language for supernatural creatures across 3 major film projects
- Streamlined asset pipeline by creating reusable components library, cutting production time for background elements by 40%
- Mentored 4 junior artists in advanced texturing techniques, all of whom were promoted within 18 months
CGI Artist | Dreamscape Studios | San Francisco, CA | 2016 – 2019
- Created high-fidelity 3D models and textures for PlayStation exclusive title Shadows of Eternity, focusing on character design and environmental assets
- Collaborated with animation team to improve character rigging for more natural movement in cinematic sequences
- Optimized texture maps across 140+ game assets, improving frame rates by 17% without sacrificing visual quality
- Rebuilt damaged motion capture data for 23 key gameplay sequences, saving an estimated $45,000 in reshoot costs
3D Modeler/Texture Artist | Pixelcraft Animation | Portland, OR | 2013 – 2016
- Created detailed 3D models and textures for animated television series Wild Warriors and Robot Academy
- Developed procedural texture library that reduced asset creation time by 25% for background elements
- Collaborated with the art director to establish visual style guides for new IP development
- Transitioned studio pipeline from Maya to Blender, training team of 5 artists on new workflow
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Computer Animation | Ringling College of Art and Design | 2013
Certificate in Advanced Shader Development | Gnomon School of Visual Effects | 2015
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- 3D Software: Maya, ZBrush, Houdini, Blender, Cinema 4D
- Rendering: Arnold, V-Ray, Redshift, Renderman
- Texturing: Mari, Substance Painter/Designer, Quixel Mixer
- Compositing: Nuke, After Effects
- Simulation: Fluid dynamics, cloth, hair/fur, particle systems
- Scripting: Python, MEL, VEX
- Game Engines: Unreal Engine 5, Unity
NOTABLE PROJECTS
- Eternal Shadows (2022) – Lead creature artist for main antagonist “The Void Walker”
- Shadows of Eternity (2018) – Character modeling and texturing for protagonist and key NPCs
- Cosmic Odyssey (2017) – Environment artist for alien landscapes and architecture
- Wild Warriors Season 2 (2015) – Asset creation and texture development
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- SIGGRAPH Conference – Attended annually since 2016
- Substance 3D Workshop (2021) – Advanced material creation
- Mentorship Program Coordinator – Horizon Visual Effects (2020-Present)
How to Write a CGI Artist Resume
Introduction
Landing that dream CGI artist job means first getting past the gatekeepers with a killer resume. In an industry where visuals speak volumes, your resume needs to be the written equivalent of your best rendering—clean, professional, and highlighting your technical prowess without overwhelming the viewer. I've reviewed thousands of creative portfolios over the years, and I've noticed the resume often gets treated as an afterthought. Big mistake! Even in a visual field, hiring managers and recruiters rely on your resume to quickly assess if you have the specific skills their project needs.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your resume streamlined—typically 1-2 pages max (unless you've got 10+ years of major studio credits). The layout should reflect your design sensibilities while remaining scannable and professional.
- Use clean typography with consistent headers (think 14-16pt for section headers, 11-12pt for body text)
- Include adequate white space—your resume shouldn't feel as crowded as a complex scene file
- Save your final resume as both a PDF (for human eyes) and a plain text version (for ATS systems)
- Skip the fancy graphics and custom icons—they often confuse ATS systems
- Include a link to your portfolio or demo reel near the top—this is crucial!
Pro tip: Your resume and portfolio should tell the same story. If your resume says you're a character modeling specialist, your portfolio better showcase some impressive character work front and center.
Profile/Summary Section
Start with a brief (2-4 sentence) summary that positions you in the industry. Mention your specialization, years of experience, and one or two standout achievements or skills.
Example: "Character animator with 5 years' experience bringing digital personalities to life for games and film. Proficient in Maya and Blender with a background in traditional animation. Created character rigs for JackRabbit Studios' 'Moonfall' mobile game that reduced animation time by 37%."
Professional Experience
List your work history in reverse chronological order. For each position, include:
- Company name and location
- Your job title
- Dates of employment (month/year to month/year)
- 3-5 bullet points highlighting your contributions and achievements
Focus on results and specifics rather than day-to-day responsibilities. Instead of "Created 3D models," try "Modeled 12 hero characters and 26 environment assets for 'Dystopia Rising,' meeting all deadlines despite a compressed 6-month production schedule."
Freelancers: Group related projects under a "Freelance CGI Artist" heading, then list major clients as sub-entries, or create project-based entries for significant work.
Education and Certifications
List your formal education, specialized training, and relevant certifications. Include:
- Degree/certificate name and field of study
- Institution name and location
- Graduation year (skip dates for education over 10 years old)
- Relevant coursework or academic achievements (optional)
- Software certifications (Autodesk Certified Professional, etc.)
Skills Section
This section is critical for CGI artists! Break your skills into clear categories:
- Software: Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Houdini, etc.
- Technical Skills: Rigging, UV mapping, normal map creation, HDRI lighting, etc.
- Specialties: Character modeling, environment design, photorealistic rendering, etc.
- Complementary Skills: Storyboarding, concept art, traditional drawing, etc.
Keywords and ATS Tips
Most studios and agencies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before a human sees them. To get past these digital gatekeepers:
- Study job descriptions and include matching keywords (software names, techniques)
- Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills)
- Avoid text in headers/footers or embedded in images
- Include both abbreviated and full versions of technical terms (PBR/Physically Based Rendering)
Industry-specific Terminology
Sprinkle these terms throughout your resume where relevant: topology, UV unwrapping, subdivision modeling, particle systems, dynamics simulation, keyframe animation, motion capture, texture mapping, shader development, compositing, rendering pipelines, node-based workflows.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on technical skills without showing business impact
- Using generic terms like "good communicator" instead of specific examples
- Listing every software version you've ever touched (no one needs to know you used Maya 2009)
- Including irrelevant personal information (age, marital status, photo)
- Writing in third person ("John is an experienced modeler")
Remember—your resume isn't just about listing what you can do; it's about showing what you've accomplished and the value you'll bring to your next role. Good luck!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your CGI Artist resume
- Cross-functional collaboration – ability to translate artistic vision with directors, producers, and technical teams into viable 3D assets
- Constructive feedback reception – thick skin for critique cycles while maintaining artistic integrity
- Time management under tight production deadlines (I’ve juggled multiple asset deliveries during crunch periods)
- Visual storytelling and concept interpretation – turning abstract ideas into concrete visuals
- Client communication – explaining technical limitations and possibilities to non-technical stakeholders
- Mentorship of junior artists while maintaining personal productivity targets
Hard skills for your CGI Artist resume
- Autodesk Maya – character rigging, modeling, and animation
- ZBrush – digital sculpting and texture painting
- Substance Painter/Designer for PBR texturing workflows
- Houdini FX for fluid, smoke and destruction simulations
- V-Ray and Arnold rendering pipelines
- Python scripting for pipeline automation
- Nuke compositing for scene integration
- Motion capture data cleanup and implementation
- USD workflow experience for asset management