Snapchat

Alec Acosta

Technical Artist // Creative 3D Artist

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Experience

Jan 2021 - Jan 2022

House Of V

Remote, CO // Technical Artist

// Excellent knowledge of Blender and building tools in Python to extend Blender's compatibility with real time render engines

// Worked extensively in Lens Studio and Spark AR to create complex Augmented Reality experiences

// Extensive knowledge of Houdini and creating tools via Vex and Python

// Created experiences using Snapchat's newest technology before release to provide feedback as well as create content for them to sell with

// Proven track record of continuously improving the content pipelines

// Ability to work in the required environment with strong knowledge in the top 3D suites (Blender, Maya, C4D, Houdini)

// Technical Artistry

// Created complex animations both abstract (particles, MoGraph, etc.) and life like (animals, environment, etc.)

// Strong use of Javascript and Python either creatively or in the pipeline

// Formulated complicated rigs to achieve the appropriate animation in a real time engine setting

July 2019 - Jan 2021

R&R Partners

Phoenix, Arizona // 3D Motion Designer

// Worked closely with designers, project managers, and developers to ensure design accuracy and consistency

// Very fluent knowledge of After Effects and Blender/C4D

// Thorough knowledge of render engines and how they work in order to compress and optimizing any project

// Very clean file and project management with everything be labeled for ease of use by others

// Created templates in any instance where it would increase our productivity

// Track record of being able to take a last second project and because of my extensive knowledge work out a way to deliver every single time

// Led entire brand motion design looks

// Experienced in compression and file formats often offering my expertise to fix file issues throughout the company

// Wrote After Effects scripts and plugins in order to create efficiencies when we were required to output a very large list of content on a daily basis

October 2013 - Present

Alecacosta.me

Colorado Springs, Colorado // Technical Creative

// Have had the chance to work on a large number of projects through my own website including a mixture of 2D and 3D animations and asset creation.

// Created several Snapchat filters

// Heavy use of Video Editing and Color Correction to tell stories

// Helped companies strategize a creative plan and helped them execute said plan

December 2013 - February 2018

SK+G

Las Vegas, Nevada // Motion Graphics Artist

// Created motion graphics daily for a large number of casinos

// Often created the concept and then executed acting as a one man show

// Lifestyle of Vegas never sleeps and neither does content creation often pulling insane timelines but always delivering on time with nothing but compliments to our work

// As a 2 man department I became very skilled at delegating work to get us across the timeline

// Trusted on many occasions to create complex unique effects pushing me to learn everything about my tools

Skills

// Extensive knowledge of : { Blender, Maya, C4D, Houdini, Substance Painter, 3D Coat, Spark AR, Lens Studio, Unreal Engine, Unity, Photoshop, After Effects}

// Render Engine knowledge : { Cycles, Redshift, Eevee, Octane, UE4}

// Technical Artistry

// Experience with the creation shaders across many platforms

// Ability to think creatively and resolve technical challenges and limitations

// Strong vision of how to improve a faulty pipeline without a setback in production

// Expertise in graphic production methods and pipelines

// Understanding of how to create complex rigs in Blender and Maya that will translate well to real time engines

// Non destructive workflow fan-boy using Houdini and Blender(modifiers/geo nodes) when possible to make client changes a breeze

// A general love for the creative and technical process with a special skill of bringing both sides together with a solid understanding of the way forward

Snapchat

My collaborations with Snapchat have led me to work on cutting edge technology while having freedom to create compelling effects. Throughout my year and a half of working with Snapchat I had the opportunity to work on the following:

Exclusive access to 3D body tracking. The project I created was used to showcase the new technology and included in sales pitches for the tech.
The possibilities were vast but constrained when Machine Learning was made available in Lens Studio. My team developed a machine learning model that could track a huge number of doors in the United States. This sort of study demonstrated how a basic premise may lead to much more Machine Learning capacity. This was utilized in both Lens Fest and sales pitches.
A close partnership with Snapchat has led to working with clients such as: Muscle Milk, Draft Kings, Pampers, Samsung, and more.