Benjamin Barnard
I started out doing some freelance character design, modeling, and sprite art. While I still do some freelance projects here and there, I'm currently working as the Department Chair for the Game Design and 3D Animation program at Mildred Elley in Albany, NY. I didn’t originally start out to be an instructor but I took the opportunity to teach when freelance work was getting harder to come by. I do not regret that decision one bit. It’s been extremely rewarding and I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful students and help them find success in the VFX and game design industry.
I believe that the job of the instructor is to inspire as well as instruct. Every artist comes to a point where they need a pep talk because they can't figure out a solution for a project or life gets a bit too overwhelming. It's a wonderful feeling when I can help somebody overcome obsticles and accomplish their goals.
Now that I’ve completed my MFA at the Academy of Art, I’m looking forward to pursuing additional opportunities in the industry while I continue to teach.
Resume
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OBJECTIVE
To assist students in the pursuit of their goal of working in the 3D animation industry.
EXPERIENCE
2005-Present------Department Chair of Game Design and 3D Animation, Mildred Elley College, Albany , N.Y.
Responsibilities include, management and hiring of department faculty, curriculum development and implementation, student advisement, artist and consultant for marketing department, and assistance with the career services department.
2005------------------Contract Artist, Albany Media Group, Albany, N.Y.
Created models, animations, and lip sync animations in both Spanish and
English for TV advertisement.2004-2005----------Contract Artist, Atmatek LLC, Mitchellville, M.D.
Created concept art, backgrounds, environment tiles, and character sprites for
an unreleased PC game.2004------------------Contract Artist, BTU Games, Binghamton, N.Y.
Created concept art and game models for an unreleased PC game.
2004------------------Teacher’s Assistant, State University of New York College at Oneonta, Oneonta, N.Y.
Assisted with instruction of 3D modeling course.
2003-2004----------Lab Assistant, State University of New York College at Oneonta,Oneonta, N.Y.
Responsibilities included lab maintenance and assisted students with class
assignments.
EDUCATION
2011------------------MFA, The Academy Art University, Animation and Visual Effects, San Francisco, CA
2004------------------BA, State University of New York College at Oneonta, Computer Art, Oneonta, NY
Skill Set
• Drawing
• Character Concept Development
• Storyboarding
• High and Low Resolution Modeling
• Texture Creation
• Sprite and Background Tile Creation• Sprite Creation
• Digital Painting
• Adobe Photoshop
• Autodesk Maya
• Pixologic Z-Brush
COURSES TAUGHT
2005------------------Present Mildred Elley College, Latham , N.Y.
3D Modeling and Animation Techniques I
3D Modeling and Animation Techniques II
3D Character Modeling
Advanced 3D Character Modeling
3D Character Rigging and Animation
Texturing and Lighting
Drawing
History of Gaming and Game Production
Game Design and Play Experience
Game Prototyping and Production2004------------------State University of New York College at Oneonta, Computer Art, Oneonta, NY
3D Modeling I