3D Artist Resume Guide with Templates and Real Examples

As a 3D Artist you’re skilled at bringing animated environments to life, but do you know how to add texture to your own resume? We can help! Map out a more colorful career with our professional resume writing templates for animation experts.

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Lauren Hamer
Reviewed by
Lauren Hamer
Career Expert
Updated on July 16, 2024
Written by
Siobhan Brier

Creating the ideal 3D Artist resume can be tricky as it needs to balance between technical skills and artistic prowess while presenting your professional journey.

Whether you’re a newbie crafting your 3D Artist resume or a seasoned artist updating your portfolio, this guide is here to help you. 

We will focus on:

  • Choosing the best format
  • How to write a powerful resume objective or summary
  • How to detail your experience in a succinct yet interesting way
  • Choosing the right skills to highlight
  • Extra sections that are sure to grab attention

Join us to create a resume that is not just informative but reflective of your artistic journey, helping you stand out in the competitive 3D Artist landscape. 

In a hurry? Use one of our resume templates to create your resume and be done in no time!

Here you will find:

3D Artist Resume Sample

You might be wondering what an artistic resume should include to be called by a recruiter.

Let’s take a look at this example below:

Resume Example
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[Casey Paredes]

[3D Artist]

[1285 Boulevard Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 | 678-545-1810 | case.paredes@gmail.com]

Summary

Creative and detail-oriented 3D Artist with a comprehensive background in the digital arts, including environment assets design, character assets designs, objects textures, and banner/logo development. Self-motivated and hard-working professional accustomed to performing well under pressure and completing all projects within schedule. Looking for and is open to any interesting opportunities in 3D design.

Skills

  • Adobe Acrobat Pro
  • Revit
  • Photoshop
  • JavaScript
  • 3D Slash
  • 3D Studio Max
  • AutoCAD
  • Illustrator
  • HTML
  • CSS

Portfolio

  • Personal Website: xxxxx.com
  • Online Portfolio: xxxxx.contently.com
  • Instagram: @xxxx.artist
  • Tumblr: @xxxx.artist

Experience

3D Artist

Motion Animation Studio | Pittsburgh, PA

2021 – 2023

  • Created over 300 captivating 3D animations, bringing stories to life and captivating audiences. Used industry-standard tools like Maya and Cinema 4D to add creativity and impact.
  • Thrived in high-pressure teamwork, bringing strong communication skills. Fostering a supportive atmosphere, we overcame challenges and exceeded client expectations with a project success rate of 96%.
  • Collaborated seamlessly with diverse teams, including designers, illustrators, and developers. Delivered projects with 95% accuracy using collaboration tools like Slack and Asana for smooth coordination.
  • Empowered colleagues through interactive design workshops which led to a 40% increase in productivity. Fostered a culture of continuous learning and growth.

3D Artist

Freelance | Pittsburgh, PA

2018 – 2020

  • Created captivating 3D animations using industry-standard tools like Maya and Blender, bringing joy and awe to audiences worldwide.
  • Delighted clients with exceptional quality animations, earning an outstanding average rating of 5 stars and showcasing the impact and value of my work.
  • Achieved a remarkable 96% project success rate, delivering top-notch results on time and within budget.
  • Utilized data-driven decision-making by tracking performance metrics with tools like Google Analytics, leading to a 35% increase in engagement and boosting customer satisfaction.

Education

M.F.A. in Animation

University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA | 2018

B.A. in History of Art

University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA | 2017


What’s the Best 3D Artist Resume Format?

With the latest Adobe 3D Skills Report noting that 63% of professionals see 3D skills as highly sought after, it’s clear that having a well-crafted resume that highlights these correctly is more important than ever. Let’s get started with a crucial aspect: choosing the right resume format.

3D artistry can be both exhilarating and a tad overwhelming, especially when it comes to presenting yourself on paper (or, let’s be honest, on screen). 

Your resume isn’t just a summary of your experiences, it’s a canvas where you get to paint a vivid picture of your skills and artistic journey.

After analyzing the classic formats—reverse-chronological, functional, and hybrid—we have come to the verdict that the hybrid resume format stands tall as the unbeatable option for 3D artists, be it for the newbies or the pros in the field.

So, why the hybrid format?

Well, the hybrid format combines the best of both worlds. It allows you to spotlight your skills first and brings noteworthy projects right at the forefront, giving a glimpse of your artistic prowess before diving into your work history

This means, yes, you can showcase that jaw-dropping graduation project or that freelance gig where you outdid yourself, even if it’s not linked to a traditional job experience.

What follows is a reverse-chronological detailing of your career history, laying out your growth and the milestones you’ve achieved over the years. 

It tells a story, your story, displaying not just your artistic skills but your journey, carving out a narrative that is as unique and dynamic as the 3D worlds you create. 

How to Write a 3D Artist Resume Summary or Resume Objective

Resume summaries are more relevant for those with a significant amount of job experience to summarize. On the other hand, an objective may work better for a more recent graduate or person changing careers, since they may still have more goals than quantifiable accomplishments.

The summary section serves as a snapshot, offering employers a quick glimpse of who you are and the value you can add to their team. It should encapsulate your experience, skills, and potential succinctly.

Review the following example:

Example
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Summary

Experienced digital animator with two graphic design internships and one freelance illustration project to showcase. Recent honors graduate with in-depth knowledge of Adobe Acrobat Pro, Photoshop, and JavaScript who has logged 40 hours of coding.

What to Include in a Resume Summary

Consider incorporating the following elements to create a compelling narrative:

  • Experience: Mention key experiences, including internships and freelance projects, emphasizing the skills you honed during these periods.
  • Education: Highlight your educational achievements, such as graduating with honors, to underscore your dedication and expertise in the field.
  • Skills: Detail the technical skills you possess, focusing on those that are most relevant to the job you’re targeting.
  • Readiness for the role: Express your enthusiasm and preparedness to step into the role, showcasing a proactive approach.
  • Personal attributes: If possible, hint at personal attributes that make you a great fit for the role — be it your motivation, creativity, or work ethic.

Keep it concise yet vibrant, letting your passion for 3D artistry shine through while highlighting the knowledge and experiences that set you apart.

Entry-Level 3D Artist Resume Objective

As you embark on your journey in the 3D art industry, having a striking resume objective can truly set you apart from the crowd. This is where you get to shine, sharing your aspirations and what you bring to the table, all wrapped up in one to two succinct sentences:

Example
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Objective

Graduate of 3D Visualization degree, seeking to apply and expand my technical graphic design knowledge gained through coursework with a position as a graphic design assistant. Proficient in 3D Studio Max, AutoCAD, and Illustrator and passionate about experimenting with new rendering techniques.

What to include in a resume objective

In your junior 3D Artist resume objective, it’s essential to:

  • Showcase your educational background: Mention your degree, emphasizing how it has prepared you for the role you’re eyeing.
  • Highlight your eagerness to learn: Demonstrate your willingness to not just apply but expand upon your existing knowledge.
  • Be specific about the role you are seeking: Tailor your objective to the role, connecting it with your career goals.
  • Personal touch: Infuse a bit of your personality into the statement, making it uniquely yours.

The objective section of your entry-level 3D Artist resume isn’t just a place to outline your career goals, but a space to present the unique blend of skills and passion you are bringing to a potential employer.

Now, let’s explore how to leverage your experience, education, and skills effectively in your resume.

How to Describe Your 3D Artist Experience

Work experience can show an employer that you have tangible practice using the skills you have outlined. Holding down a job or working on various projects demonstrates a proven ability to work within a team, meet a deadline, or produce a finished product.

Even those entering the workforce for the first time can showcase internships, school projects, or freelance work on their beginner 3D Artist resume.

Using keywords used in the job description, emphasizing your most relevant experience, editing content specific to each position, and displaying quantitative data are all excellent tricks for an effective resume.

Outlining Your Specialization

If an employer is looking for a unique task of unique capability, you should show that you can fulfill that task.

A few specializations in this niche may include:

  • 3D modeler resume
  • 3D animator resume
  • 3D character artist resume
  • 3D environment artist resume
  • 3D game artist resume
  • 3D lighting artist resume
  • General 3D designer resume

Within film animation, rigging, the creation of 3D characters or objects, and animation, the application of techniques to control the motions of those 3D creations, could be specializations.

Outlining Your Education in 3D Art

Most jobs will require applicants to have at least a bachelor’s degree, which typically would be completed in art, graphic design, computer graphics, animation, or a related field like illustration.

Further education may be a plus but is unlikely to be required, especially for entry-level jobs. Some jobs may not require a degree, but you would likely need to list some online courses, certifications, or training to prove that you have the necessary skills.

Entry-level candidates may decide to include their GPA (if it is 3.50 or over) and any honors or awards they have gained. 

Listing any exhibitions, projects, or relevant coursework in bullet points below the school name and dates can also work to your advantage when you are just starting out in 3D art. This can compensate for your lack of work experience.

Example
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Education

BFA Animation

Academy Art University | San Francisco, CA

2023

  • Relevant Coursework: 3D Animation, VFX technology and software, 3D Character Animation
  • Award: 1st prize in final year 3D Comic competition.

Key 3D Art Resume Skills

As you craft your junior 3D artist resume, one question that might frequently pop up is, “What are the technical skills for a 3D artist?”. Well, you’re in the right place to find out!

Delineating your skill set into ‘Soft Skills’ and ‘Hard Skills’ not only helps in providing a structured view but also aids recruiters in quickly identifying your strengths in the 3D art landscape. 

Here, we have curated a list that you might find beneficial:

Soft Skills

  • Time management
  • Meeting deadlines without sacrificing quality
  • Organization
  • Collaboration
  • Creativity
  • Project management
  • Invoicing
  • Problem-Solving
  • Fulfill customer orders
  • Independence

Hard Skills

  • Adobe Suite: Photoshop, Acrobat, InDesign, Illustrator
  • Revit
  • JavaScript
  • 3D Studio Max
  • 3D Slash
  • Google Workspace
  • Maya, Revit, 3D Studio Max
  • Other 3D software
  • Game Engine
  • ZBrush
  • Research prior to projects
  • Character modeling
  • Rigging
  • Animation

Additional 3D Artist Resume Sections and Examples

Resumes may seem formulaic, but they can be very flexible, and you should always tailor them to the job you are applying for.

To bulk up an entry-level resume or to list any other achievements you are proud of that do not fit in the aforementioned sections, you can add your own creative touch with some extra subheadings.

Your resume can be as dynamic and multi-dimensional as your artistry. Apart from the regular sections like the summary and objective, there are a few more you can add to illustrate your journey vividly and grab that recruiter’s attention:

Portfolio: The Star of Your Resume

Think of this as your grand exhibit, the pivotal section that can almost single-handedly elevate your resume to a work of art. It provides a dynamic space to showcase your finest creations, underlining your narrative with vivid proof of your expertise and creativity. 

Platforms like Contently can host your digital portfolio, setting a vibrant stage for your artistic narrative. Ideally, the content in a portfolio or sample and the content in your resume should support each other, showing off the skills and abilities you have claimed to have.

Example
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Portfolio

Developed a rich digital portfolio hosted on Contently, which houses a carefully curated collection of 3D artworks and animated projects, each piece narrating a facet of my expertise and artistic journey. (Include a link to your portfolio)

Volunteer Experience

This section can be a window into your world beyond work, highlighting your contributions to society through volunteer work while emphasizing the additional skills you’ve honed during these experiences.

Example
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Volunteering

Highpark County School, Florence, AL

June 2022

Led a community mural project, overseeing a team of five and successfully executing the project from concept to completion, enhancing project management and teamwork skills.

Relevant Courses

Particularly beneficial for recent graduates or those in school, this section can exhibit the theoretical knowledge you’ve acquired, demonstrating that you are well-equipped with the necessary skills for the job.

Don’t forget to add any professional certifications that you complete too.

Examples
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Relevant Projects & Coursework

Completed ‘Advanced 3D Animation’ and ‘Realistic Rendering’ courses at XYZ University, gaining deep insights into modern animation techniques and software.

>> Certifications <<

Autodesk Certified Professional in 3D Animation, Online, 2022

Foundry Certified NUKE Artist, 2021

Create a resume that not just tells, but shows your journey in the vibrant world of 3D art.

Ending Tips for a 3D Artist

Applying for an artistic job can involve a nebulous balance between creative expression and technical abilities.

A 3D Artist resume should highlight relevant experience and showcase why your talents suit you to a specific position.

Keep your descriptions of your work experience, education, training, and extra sections relevant, and concise, and your resume up to date.

Continue developing your technical skill set, and don’t forget about transferable skills from other positions or soft skills that enhance working with others

And don’t forget, you can use the ResumeGiants free online resume builder with a 14-day trial period to get you started and keep you on track for success!

Free Resume Templates

Using resume templates that are proven to work will help you to move your career search forward. Start and customize as many resumes as you need with our free resume builder, available for a 14-day trial.