Online Résumé or Downloadable Résumé
HOWARD HSING
www.howardhsing.com
powwowhh@gmail.com
(408)368-4679
Game Artist
- 10-year veteran in game development.
- Experience across a broad range of genres from Illustration to vector, realism to stylizations, 2D to 3D.
- Capable in any discipline including concept art, modeling, painting, animation, UI, etc.
- Takes on lead role such as, scoping plans, setting styles, asset tracking, training, and outsourcing.
“Howard is multi-talented … and can pick up new styles and software very quickly. He also is very technically inclined and has always worked closely with engineers … Howard is great at thinking outside of the box … I have very often been amazed at the creative solutions he has arrived at … a great team member.”
– Michelle Graham, Art Director, Electronic Arts (from 2011-2015) http://linkedin.com/in/howardhsing
EXPERIENCE
Electronic Arts, Inc. – Redwood City, CA (2013-2015)
Senior Game Artist
For 7 years, on a game team as a multi-skilled artist, I had extensive production experience on all disciplines. I was often assigned to the artistically demanding areas of the production. Additionally, I took on lead responsibilities such as asset tracking, style setting, training, outsourcing, etc.
2015 Minions Paradise, (Mobile) to-be-released in July with the movie
- Environment Artist: 3D modeled, rigged and textured buildings and decorations assets.
- Implemented 3D assets and made art adjustments within Unity.
- Created concept art
2014 The Simpsons Tapped Out (Mobile)
- Constructed and animated environment art such as buildings and decorations in Flash.
- Created concept art, also in Flash.
- Maintain a healthy and strong communication remotely with teammates at Prince Edward Island.
- Worked within the strict style constraint of the Simpson’s brand holder Gracie and Film Roman.
- Represented the team to be trained first, and then trained the teammates.
2013 Monopoly Slots (Mobile)
- Lead the art team setting the aesthetic style on the primary assets (the slots machines and bonus games).
- Created slots machines and slots symbol art assets in 2D using vector, photoshop and in 3D using Maya. Animated and generated FX sequence for slots symbols in Flash.
- Created background illustrations using Illustrator and Photoshop
- UI: created popups, HUD elements, lists for bonus game and tournament features.
- Worked within Hasbro’s artistic demands.
- Constructed and maintained asset repository. Developed naming conventions.
- Trained and Coordinated with outsource contractors, supplying daily feedbacks, style guides and technical advices.
- Trained Hyderabad artist as we ramped off from this game.
Electronic Arts, Playfish – San Francisco, CA (2010-2013)
Promoted to Senior Game Artist
2012 JetSet Secrets (Facebook Social)
- Co-developed the world and building styles with concept art and rendered art.
- 3D modeled and textured environment art in Maya. Animated in Flash.
- Created character and environment concept art.
- Constructed and maintained asset repository. Developed all naming conventions.
- Scoped out environment art production plan and post-release plan.
- Trained and managed relationship with outsource contractor in China. Also provided technical advice, style guide, and daily feedbacks.
- Participated in hiring process.
2011 Monopoly Millionaires (Facebook Social)
- This game was fully vector. Used mainly Illustrator and Flash.
- Co-created the look and feel of the game within Playfish and Hasbro’s brand and artistic demands.
- UI: created assets in Illustrator and Flash including popups, mini-games, notifications, promos, marketing, store, animations.
- Environment: created and animated environment art such as buildings and decorations in Illustrator and Flash.
- Coordinated with outsource contractors. Provided daily feedbacks.
- Lead the art team when there was no art director.
- Participated in hiring process.
Electronic Arts, Pogo – Redwood City, CA (2007-2010)
Game Artist
2010 Reality Show Stock Exchange (Online Social – did not launch)
- The only artist, created all the art assets. This was an UI-heavy game.
2009 Mini Golf Madness (Online Social)
- The only artist created concept art, illustrations, 2D & 3D production art, UI, and animation/FX using Photoshop, Maya, Particle Illusion.
- Environment Artist: This is an environment-heavy game. Built various functional props and decoration assets with imaginations going above and beyond any competitions.
- Level Designer: Constructed 3 beautiful and innovative 18-hole courses.
2009 Trivial Pursuit Daily 20 (Online Social)
- The only artist created concept art, illustrations, 2D & 3D production art, UI, and animation/FX using Photoshop, Maya, Particle Illusion.
- Environment Artist: Created game background in 3D
2008 Mahjong Safari (Online Social)
- The only artist, created concept art, illustrations, 2D & 3D production art, UI, and animation/FX using Photoshop, Maya, Particle Illusion.
- One of the most successful game at Pogo. Commended by peers and clients, turning a simple schematics into a fun, beautiful and educational family game for all ages.
2007 Word Riot (Online Social – did not launch)
- 3D modeled and textured the menu and in-game scenes according to the concept art.
GenPlay Games – Game Artist (2005-2007)
Game Production Artist
This was a mobile game company in the pre-smartphone days. I was a cross-function artist responsible for concept art, in-game art, illustrations, UI, marketing art and promotional trailers.
Muncher, Viral Attack, Pool Pro 2, vPoker Online, Stack’um, Dominos
- Painted all the in-game, avatar portrait, and splash screen illustrations.
- Became experienced in sprite animations and background tile sets.
- Worked on marketing ads and banners, as well as game promotion trailers
Freelancing – Cupertino, CA (2004-2006)
3D Modeler/ Texture Artist/ Illustrator/ Concept Artist
Freelancing by utilizing various skills including modeling, texturing, painting illustrations, and creating concept art.
2006 Bonk 3D Game Pitch to Hudson Soft Entertainment
- Built environmental props.
- Created Bonk, creatures, and villains concept art, illustrations and model sheets.
2004 Hero Interactive
- 3D modeled, textured and rigged the robot.
- Painted title screen illustration.
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
Software: Photoshop, Flash, Illustrator, After Effects, Particle Illusion, Maya, some 3D Max, Unity, etc.
Lead Experience: Setting art styles, scoping production plans, tracking and organizing team assets, training & mentoring, solution solving, hiring resource, managing outsource contractors.
Core Competencies: Traditional art foundation, unorthodox imaginations, forward thinking, creative problem solver, efficient, consistent, and reliable.
Languages: Speaks, read and write English and Chinese. Can also read Japanese and German.
EDUCATION
Management Blox – Redwood City, CA (2011)
- A Multi-session course at Electronic Arts University.
- Trained on managerial skills to mentor and motivate the team, and actively reflect and measure self as a manager.
Cogswell Polytechnical College – Sunnyvale, CA (2003)
Bachelor of Art
- Majoring in Computer and Video Imaging. Focused on Modeling and Animation.
- Also included: traditional art development and strengthening, trained in digital illustration, video editing, special effects, motion capture, and web design.
- Awarded Dean Honor 2003.
Foothill College – Los Altos Hills, CA (2003)
Associate Certification
- Achieve Certification of Japanese Language and Culture.
- Awarded 2001 Foothill College Language Arts Division Outstanding Achievement in Japanese.
Monta Vista High School – Cupertino, CA (1999)
Diploma with 3.1 GPA
- Awarded 1999 North County ROP (Regional Occupational Program) Director’s Award (1st place in art contest).
- Awarded 1999 Monta Vista High School Matador Recognition Award: in Arts.