Resume
About Me
Don Marks Technical Art
Resume
About Me
As a Senior Technical Artist focused on bridging art and engineering, I specialize in building efficient, scalable pipelines and delivering high-quality content within real-time constraints. With expertise in Unity + C#, Maya + Python, asset integration, and shader development (HLSL), I manage the end-to-end pipeline—importing, optimizing, and assembling 2D and 3D assets into Unity while maintaining performance and visual fidelity across mobile and PC platforms.
Holding a BFA in Animation from the University of Central Florida, I have contributed to VR, AR, PC, and mobile projects across games, film, and television. I design and develop tools and workflows that improve artist productivity, streamline asset pipelines, and support UI, materials, animation systems, particle effects, and gameplay implementation. I thrive as a cross-disciplinary liaison, collaborating closely with artists and engineers to ensure smooth feature development and delivery. I am also actively exploring AI-driven workflows to enhance content creation and pipeline efficiency, with a strong focus on continuous improvement and scalable best practices.
Work History
2022 - Present
Senior Tech Artist
Blizzard Entertainment
Act as a key liaison between art and engineering previously on Warcraft Rumble, and currently on an Unannounced Internal Project supporting end-to-end feature development and asset integration in Unity. Manage the import, optimization, and implementation of assets from Maya into the game engine, ensuring performance and visual quality on mobile and PC. Develop shaders, rigging systems, and tools in C# and Python to streamline workflows, improve pipeline efficiency, and support live service content updates. Continuously refine asset pipelines and best practices to support scalable production.
2021 - 2022
Lead Tech Animator
Jam City
Optimized and maintained asset pipelines for rigged characters, shaders, and particle systems within Unity mobile games. Collaborated closely with engineering and technical art to troubleshoot performance issues, improve asset integration workflows, and ensure efficient content delivery. Developed automation tools using Python and C# to enhance artist productivity and streamline production pipelines.
2019 - 2021
Senior Tech Artist
Scientific Games
Owned asset integration workflows for Unity-based slot games, importing and implementing animations, shaders, and particle systems into a versioned production environment. Optimized assets for real-time performance and ensured synchronization across animation systems. Developed tools and automated processes to improve pipeline efficiency and maintain consistency across projects.
2018 - 2019
Art Director
Zapdot Inc
Led cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-quality content for mobile and PC projects. Oversaw asset pipelines, implemented workflow improvements, and collaborated with engineering to ensure smooth integration and performance. Also focused on asset development with a hands on approach with a team of talented artists
2018
Animator/FX Artist
Disruptor Beam
Created and optimized animations and real-time effects for mobile games. Collaborated with production and art teams to refine workflows, support early prototyping, and ensure performant asset integration within Unity.
2017 - 2018
Animation Director + Animator/FX Artist
Sharecare Reality Labs
Led animation pipeline development for VR simulations, improving workflows and ensuring efficient integration of assets into real-time environments. Collaborated with engineers and subject matter experts to deliver high-performance, accurate visual experiences. Developed tools and optimized processes to support scalable production for our Animators to iterate within. Led with a hands on approach.
2016
2D Character Animator
Rick and Morty
Bardel Entertainment
At Bardel Entertainment, I had the opportunity to work on Rick and Morty, delivering high-quality animation that matched the show’s unique style under tight production deadlines. Using Toon Boom Harmony, I contributed to the Emmy Award-winning series, ensuring consistency and excellence in every scene.
2016 - 2017
Lead Animator/ Game Artist
Concept Gaming
Delivered animated assets and game-ready content for online slot games while improving production pipelines. Collaborated with leadership and engineering to implement new features and optimize workflows for efficient content delivery.
2013 - 2015
Character Animator
Archer
Floyd County Productions
At Floyd County Productions, I contributed to the Emmy Award-winning series Archer by rigging characters, building scene layouts, and delivering final animated shots for broadcast. I collaborated closely with artists and engineers to ensure smooth integration of assets into the production pipeline, maintaining both quality and efficiency under tight deadlines. In addition, I developed custom tools and plugins in After Effects using JavaScript to automate workflows.
2013
3D Artist/Animator
Merlin Mobility
At Merlin Mobility, I developed and animated models for Unity-based augmented reality applications on iOS and Android. My responsibilities included re-topologizing meshes and creating engaging AR effects. I focused on refining the production pipeline to accelerate development while upholding technical standards across projects.
2012 - 2013
Lead 3D Artist
Sealund and Associates
At Sealund, I led the 3D team, overseeing design briefs and budgets to deliver animations and illustrations on time and within budget. Working closely with the CEO and Project Manager, I enhanced the production pipeline, presenting it as an innovative training solution to clients. I also developed new characters, props, and environments, focusing on asset performance improvements using Maya and Unity.
2011 - 2012
3D Character Animator
Goat Story with Cheese
Art and Animation Studio
While based in Prague, I animated scenes for the 3D feature film Goat Story with Cheese. I created shots from scratch without initial blocking and polished pre-existing blocked shots to final completion, ensuring consistency and high-quality animation throughout.
2011
Compositing Artist
Sesame Street
Animatic Media
In this role, I handled rendering and compositing to add final visual polish for the 3D animated show The Adventures of Kami and Big Bird. I provided updated renders for weekly reviews and trained new compositing artists in the pipeline, ensuring consistent quality and workflow efficiency.