Ilya Kurkin with cat

Ilya Kurkin

3D Generalist / Technical Artist

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About Me

With 4.5 years of experience in 3D game production and a decade in the design field, I've developed a particular passion for the technical aspects of 3D development. My career has been built primarily in startup environments, where I've tackled broad, complex challenges without predefined solutions.

I began my commercial design journey at just 17 years old, creating illustrations for online communities. By age 20, I had established my own small graphic design studio, handling projects worth thousands of dollars. This early entrepreneurial experience taught me to manage client expectations and deliver high-quality work on tight deadlines.

As an NFT artist, I created unique 3D collections that found dedicated collectors and were featured in digital exhibitions across Europe. I also developed generative collections for clients, handling everything from art direction to marketing materials. This experience with digital collectibles gave me valuable insights into the intersection of art and technology.

At Moonsama, I reduced 3D model production costs by 60% while maintaining quality by developing optimized workflows. At Seedify, I created a modular asset pipeline that solved Texel Density issues and reduced draw calls for large environment assets. These experiences have shaped me into a technically-minded artist who thrives on solving complex production challenges.

Technical Skills

Blender

ZBrush

Substance Painter

Marmoset Toolbag

Unity

Unreal Engine

My Approach

Working in startup environments has taught me to approach problems holistically. Rather than following established workflows, I've had to develop solutions from scratch based on research and experimentation. This has fostered a permanent learning mindset and a deep appreciation for technical problem-solving.

While I don't have experience at large, established studios, the global challenges I've faced have required me to develop versatile skills across the 3D production pipeline. I excel in small teams where I can contribute to multiple aspects of development and continuously improve workflows. I'm also developing my own game project, WildLands - a multiplayer survival battle royale available on Steam - as a way to test my skills and better understand game development from all angles. This personal project allows me to experiment with various aspects of game design, from character customization to environmental storytelling. I'm looking for opportunities to work with strong professionals where we can push each other to grow and develop to exceptional levels.