James S. Eckerson
106 Sedgefield Circle · Winter Park · Florida · 32792-1909
Mobile: 850.303.3963 · JEckerson@aol.com · http://www.jameseckerson.com/

OBJECTIVE
3D Artist position where my experience, knowledge, and work ethic can be applied.

SUMMARY
Production artist with experience using a variety of 3D and 2D software.  3D work experience includes modeling, texturing, animation, lip sync, lighting, particle effects and compositing.  2D work experience includes marketing design, desktop publishing, and graphic design.  Experienced with Windows and Macintosh operating systems.

SOFTWARE EXPERIENCE
LightWave 3D • 3D Studio Max • Photoshop • Illustrator • Word (Proficient)
After Effects • Premiere • InDesign • Excel (Intermediate)
Maya • PowerPoint (Working Knowledge)

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art, Minor in Communication Arts, (Cumulative) GPA, 3.11
UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA, Pensacola, Florida, 1998-2000

Associate in Arts, Cum Laude, Phi Theta Kappa, (Cumulative) GPA, 3.53
GULF COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Panama City, Florida, 1996-1998

Occupational Associates Degree in Digital Animation and Visual Effects
DAVE (Digital Animation & Visual Effects) School, Orlando, Florida, July 2004-June 2005

Continued Education in Information Technology Education – Graphic Design Technology, (Cum.) GPA, 3.38
SANTA FE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Gainesville, Florida, Spring-Summer 2003

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SUPERIOR TECHNICAL RESOURCES, INC./GENERAL DYNAMICS (contract), Orlando, Florida
Visual Media Specialist,                                                                                        Jul 2008-Present
• Created and input graphic content for Interactive Media Instruction (IMI).
• Modeled and Textured low poly assets for use in real time GPS application.

TAC SECURED/GENERAL DYNAMICS (contract), Orlando, Florida
Graphic Design Specialist,                                                                                     Mar 2008-June 2008
• Created and input graphic content for Interactive Media Instruction (IMI).
• Created marketing and information materials promoting company services and products.
• Modeled and Textured low poly assets for use in a NAVY simulation.

SKILLSTORM/UNITECH (contract to hire), Orlando, Florida
3D Artist/Multi-Media Developer I,                                                                                  Feb 2006-Feb 2008
• Created 3D assets for Navy, Army and Custom Border Patrol Interactive Media Instruction (IMI)/Computer Based Training (CBT)
• Composited and edited video for Navy IMI/CBT and ITSEC 2006 product presentation of MILES Combat Vehicle System.
• Created 3D concept models for Unitech booth at 2006 & 2007 ITSEC convention.
• Used low poly modeling and normal mapping to create 3D assets for real time game based training.
• Worked independently with minimal supervision assisting out of state office team members using e-mail & instant messaging to coordinate 3D asset production resulting in on-time, high quality end product.
• Created 2D graphics for IMI/CBT training and company marketing concepts.
• Documented design specifications, tested visual attributes, and generated requirements for 3D designs.
• Programs included 3DS Max, Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere, Illustrator, Word, Excel, and Outlook.

DAVE (Digital Animation & Visual Effects) SCHOOL, Orlando, Florida
Teaching Assistant,                                                                                                 July-Sept 2006
• Instructed students regarding 3D modeling, texturing, animation and other curriculum.
• Performed administrative duties such as documenting attendance, assembling training materials, and grading quizzes and tests.
• Programs included LightWave 3D, Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere and Encore.

COMMERCIAL TRAINING SOLUTIONS, Ocoee, Florida
Freelance 3D Artist,                                                                                                                        Jan 2006
• Created 3D assets for construction training media for cinematic and real-time application.
• Programs included LightWave 3D and Photoshop.

DAVE (Digital Animation & Visual Effects) SCHOOL, Orlando, Florida
3D Artist,                                                                                                                                           Dec 2005
• Modeled, animated, lit and composited for the short film X-Men: DarkTide featuring Art Asylum’s MiniMates released commercially on DVD packaged with action figures.
• Programs included LightWave 3D, Photoshop and After Effects.

WOLFHOUND STUDIOS, Longwood, Florida
Freelance 3D Artist,                                                                                                            Aug-Sept 2005
• Modeled, animated, textured, lip-sync for startup children’s television show using LightWave 3D and Photoshop.

DAVE (Digital Animation & Visual Effects) SCHOOL, Orlando, Florida
Teaching Assistant,                                                                                                 July-Sept 2005
• Instructed students regarding 3D modeling, texturing, animation and other Block One curriculum.
• Performed administrative duties such as documenting attendance, assembling training materials, and grading quizzes/tests.
• Programs included LightWave 3D, Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere and Encore.

DAVE (Digital Animation & Visual Effects) SCHOOL, Orlando, Florida
3D Artist,                                                                                                                               April-June 2005
• Modeled, animated, textured, and created particle effects for the DragonFellow short for animatic and final production phases.
• Animation Lead during final production phase for several shots.
• Programs included LightWave 3D, Photoshop and After Effects.

RENAISSANCE PRINTING, Gainesville, Florida
Customer Service/Network Specialist,                                                                           Oct 2002-May2004
• Customer service agent in high multi-task printing environment.
• Performed desktop publishing, accepted, evaluated, printed, copied, collated, bound, laminated, and shipped various customer work orders and in-house projects.
• Performed cash register sales for walk-in, account and non-account holding customers, and assisted counter personnel with their duties.
• Programs included Quark, Pagemaker, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Word, Excel and Outlook.

BELL SIGNS, INC., Panama City, Florida
Marketing Designer,                                                                                                            June 2000-Nov 2001
• Produced presentation art to fit various sign designs for national and local market clients.
• Created Designs according to customer specifications and included creative elements when prudent.
• Assembled promotional material such as information binders and multi-media CDs.
• Maintained department scheduling logs and other requirements during manager absence.
• Programs included CorelDraw, PhotoPaint, Word, Excel and Outlook.

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• Featured in LightWave 3D Group Interview DragonFellow: Making of a 3D Fable - http://www.lwg3d.org/v3/articles.php?id=163.
• Recipient of the 2006 Bronze Telly Award for production work on the short film DragonFellow.
• Recipient of the 2006 Silver Telly Award for Animation on the short film X-Men: DarkTide.