Dakota Jones

Senior Advanced Artist, World

I am a World Building Environment Artist with advanced knowledge of the components and pipelines used to create immersive game worlds. I’m comfortable in all stages of game production and enjoy each step. I find real fulfillment in building worlds alongside thoughtful, creative collaborators.

Skills

Terrains, Geology, Vegetation, Architecture, Asset Creation, Materials, Photogrammetry, World Planning, Collaboration, Group Leadership, Mentoring, Performance Analysis, Content Integrity

Core Software - 3dsMax, Blender, Zbrush, Designer, Painter, Photoshop, World Machine, Gaea

Additional - Speedtree, Photogrammetry, Custom Engines, Unreal, Unity, Houdini, MaxScripting, Python, C#, Shaders


Senior Advanced World Artist - Monolith |  April 2021 - May 2025 |  Unannounced / Wonder Woman

  • Lead World Artist - Built a AAA World Art team from 2 to 25+ people

  • Planned and Implemented World Layouts to meet team goals and vision

  • Created World Art examples and areas of reference for setting benchmarks for team

  • Established and Guided World Art Pipelines and Performance Best Practices

  • Supported and worked with external and co-development outsourcing developers

  • Documentation, Mentoring/Training, Tasking/Reviewing Work

  • Ensured stable and inspirational world for the entire dev team to meet milestones

  • Cross discipline planning with other Leads and Departments


Advanced World Artist - Monolith  |  Mar 2016 - Apr 2021 | Shadow of War

World Layouts, Terrain, Architecture, Kit Development, Terrain, Materials, Photogrammetry, Polishing, Performance, Scripting, Mentoring, Pod Lead

Senior Environment Artist - Monolith  |  Oct 2013 - Mar 2016 |  Shadow of Mordor

Terrain, Vegetation, Materials, Movement Support

Senior Technical / VFX Artist - Trion Worlds, Inc  |  Aug 2012 - Oct 2013 | Sci-Fi RTS Game

VFX, Shaders, Lighting, Modelling, Texturing, Environments, Rigging, Python, Maxscript

Senior Technical Artist - THQ San Diego  |  Oct 2011 - July 2012 |  UFC Fighting Game

Shaders and Materials development for characters and environments.

Senior Environment Artist - Rainbow Studios  |  Feb 2001 - Nov 2011 |  MX vs ATV Racing

Terrains, Materials, Textures, Vegetation, Level Design, Props, Performance Analysis


Education

Art Institute of Phoenix  |  1996 - 1998

Associates Degree 3D Animation - Runner-up best portfolio