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Sang Lee
atary2k@gmail.com

 

SUMMARY

 

Character and real-time 3D artist — from EA and Lucasfilm Animation to the TikTok Avatar system. Now applying the same production standard to generated assets: measuring what holds up in a real-time pipeline and what has to be fixed before it ships. AI-Assisted Tool Development (Python, Web)

 

PRODUCTION SKILLS

 

3D Modeling (Character and Environment), UV mapping & Texture painting, Rigging, Blend Shape, Animation, Traditional/Digital Painting and Sculpting, Graphic Design and Illustration, Production pipeline, Unity, Problem Solving and QA, Multi-Platform Experience, Generative Image/3D Evaluation, ComfyUI Workflow Design

 

SOFTWARE

 

Maya, ZBrush, 3D Coat, Substance Painter, Maxon Bodypaint 3D, Marvelous Designer, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere, ComfyUI, Claude Code, Codex

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

Sr. 3D Designer · TikTok   2020 – Present

 

TikTok Avatar, Social Avatar / AI-moji, Face & Body Effects

  • Design point of contact for the TikTok Avatar system: visual improvements

  • Social Avatar / AI-moji: managed the sticker generation pipeline

  • Evaluated generative 3D services for real-time asset production

  • 3D asset creation for face/body effects, including modeling, texturing and animation

  • Conceptualized and prototyped features with R&D and engineers

  • Supported art pipeline development with Technical Artists

 

CG Artist · Tactic Studio   2018 – 2020

 

Living Wine Label AR Apps, Coca Cola AR App

  • Modeled, UV and textured 3D assets/environment for AR Apps

  • PBR texture baking, setting up materials and shaders to achieve the best possible quality

  • Providing Previsualization to the clients

  • Rigging and animation for Previz and story board

  • Optimized and integrated assets into the game engine

 

Character Modeler · Telltale Games   2018

 

Stranger Things

  • In charge of creating 5 lead characters in Stranger Things franchise

  • Created hi-res sculpting and low-res in-game 3D character models

  • PBR texture baking for achieving the visual target

  • Reviewed progress with art director weekly and iterated assets based on feedback

  • Worked closely with engineers to ensure assets are integrated smoothly

 

3D Generalist · Google   2017

 

AR Stickers (Daydream, Pixel 2)

  • Responsible for 12+ 'Blocks' characters and ‘Foodmiji’ characters

  • UV mapped, textured, materials for 3D assets

  • PBR texture baking and Look Dev for achieving the visual target that art director desired

  • Successfully developed a light baking pipeline for real-time shader for the team

  • Optimized assets to improve engine integration efficiency

 

Character Modeler · Electronic Arts Inc. EARS   2016 – 2017

 

The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs (PC)

  • Modeled, textured, materials 3D characters and assets in game

  • Sculpted blendshape targets for characters

  • Responsible for asset integration and often provided suggestions to improve pipeline efficiency

  • Worked closely with engineering teams to ensure assets are integrated properly

 

Sr. 3D Artist · Disney Interactive   2014 – 2016

 

Star Wars Commander (iOS, Android, Amazon)

  • Modeled, textured, materials for 3D characters based on design concepts

  • Delivered 50+ in-game assets including buildings, turrets and upgrade levels

  • Participated in weekly reviews, provided feedback to external art team

  • Worked closely with art director to ensure quality is consistent and match visual target

  • Provided character rigging and skin weight for animation team

 

Outsourcing Manager · JIC Creative   2013 – 2014

 

  • Reviewed art assets and provide visual/technical feedback to outsourcing team

  • Assisted outsourcing art team to tweak and finalize assets

  • Managed outsourcing pipeline to ensure workflow is efficient

  • Established best practices, file structures, delivery guidelines for outsourcing teams

 

Digital Artist · Lucasfilm Animation Lucasfilm Ltd   2008 – 2013

 

Star Wars The Clone Wars (TV animation series)

2013 Emmy Award-winning Special class animated program

  • Modeled, textured for hero characters based on stylized concept design

  • Modeled, textured for multiple environment assets and set dressed environments

  • Sculpted blendshape targets for character facial animation

  • Assisted VFX team with VFX modeling needed

  • Worked closely with art director to ensure all assets delivered are up to expectations

 

Lead Character Artist · Arcadia Entertainment   2007 – 2008

 

Arcadia (MMO-based social online game)

  • Delivered all main avatar characters in a timely manner

  • Modeled and textured 3D characters based on stylized concept design

  • Managed asset pipeline and solved technical problems

  • Developed avatar/wearable modular system and texture tinting pipeline

  • Defined texture shading baking pipeline and improved team efficiency

 

Character Modeler · 2K Sports/Visual Concepts Entertainment   2006 – 2007

 

All Pro Football 2K8 (XBOX 360, PS3)

NBA 2K8 (XBOX 360, PS3)

  • Character creation pipeline and head generation pipeline

  • Modeled and textured Hi-res and low-res characters

  • Prototyped model and texture in-game props for NextGen titles

 

Character Modeler · Electronic Arts Inc. EARS   2004 – 2006

 

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007 (XBOX 360, PS3)

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006 (XBOX 360, PS2, PC)

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 (XBOX, PS2, NGC, PC)

  • Character creation pipeline, Game Face

  • Modeled and textured Hi-res and low-res characters

  • Key team member to ensure pipeline and workflows are efficient

 

EDUCATION

 

Jan. 2000 – May 2003   Academy of Art University, San Francisco CA. MFA / Computer Arts

Mar. 1990 – Feb. 1997   Myong Ji University, South Korea BFA / Industrial Design

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