spencerkern.com262-909-7863

As a 3D artist working in the video game industry I am always looking to push myself by taking on new tasks and challenges. My experience with next-gen asset creation, animation, and product design, along with my previous work history, has led me to take on multiple leadership positions in addition to my role within the content creation pipeline.

Art Lead (Minecraft) May 2015– Present
Microsoft Redmond, WA

  • Hired, trained, and managed a team of artists that was responsible for supporting every aspect of the franchise
  • Established the visual ID for multiple sub products
  • Acted as primary art support for the Minecraft Education Edition
  • Created content to support the core game, DLC, marketing, videos, demos, merchandise, and more
  • Contributed work on the HoloLens demo, Gear VR Edition, hour of code program, and the core product
  • Supported the product backstage and in behind closed doors sessions at E3 for multiple years
  • Managed the teams presence at Gamescom during the first year

Lead Environment Artist - Art Lead (Project Spark) April 2014 – May 2015
Microsoft Redmond, WA

  • Managed a team of artists working across multiple disciplines
  • Maintained a high level of visual quality through asset review and feedback sessions
  • Worked closely with the design team to plan and execute an aggressive DLC roadmap
  • Created numerous showcase levels for various DLC packs
  • Established best practices for various asset creation pipelines as new content was conceptualized
  • Constructed a level streaming system within Spark in order to greatly expand our content limits for use in the Conker DLC pack

Lead Artist May 2011 – January 2014

U4ia Games Bellevue, WA

  • Collaborated with the design team on the development of new maps
  • Created environment, character, andweapon assets.
  • Helped manage and train a team of artists across multiple disciplines
  • Established the core pipelines and workflow for the animation, character, and environment systems
  • Led the artistic design and development of the visual style for the product
  • Created digital and physical marketing materials to support partnerships, websites, community portals, etc
  • Designed front end UI and UX
  • Developed multiple relationships with outsource providers while reviewing and maintainingthe incoming assets
  • Collaborated with the leadership team to set the pillars of the game and provided goals for the product

Environment Artist December 2010 – March 2011

Sony Online Entertainment Bellevue, WA

  • Constructed modular building sets as well as recreations of real world buildings for use in both single player and multiplayer missions
  • Created various POI props and set dressings to fill out multiple cityscapes
  • Optimized and enhanced legacy assets

Quality Assurance Tester (Developer) February 2010 – November 2010
High Voltage Software Hoffman Estates, IL

  • Tested games during the development process to aid in theelimination of bugs and issues
  • Managed a series of cheat detection units and compiled weekly reports of the data

EDUCATION:

The Illinois Institute of Art - Schaumburg
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art & Design
March 2010