Gatis Kurzemnieks
Technical Artist
Gatis is Technical Artist (Houdini, Unreal Engine, Unity, Python, C++, Shaders)/ 3D Generalist / Creative Coder currently living and working in Brussels, Belgium.
He has Computer Science master and bachelor degrees from University of Latvia. After that he studied 3D Animation in Hochchule Luzern in Switzerland and Visual Communication in Latvian Academy of Art (bachelor of fine arts).
For several years Gatis worked in game development – doing graphics and 3d game engine programming for PC and XBox 360 as well as being technical artist. After that, he moved to digital advertising world – working as creative director and artist/developer for digital agency Digibrand. For four years Gatis was at OrangeLV doing development in Unity, Visual Effects and 3D generalist work for clients such as Microsoft, REI, Seattle Seahawks and others. After that Gatis was doing production for TV animated series Zapovednik as 3d technical artist on Unity and Unreal Engine. After that couple years in 3D product visualization and design department at Ubiquity Inc. before going freelance as a technical artist (working with The Mill, Rascal Post and others). Currently Gatis works at Pixomondo as Unreal Engine technical artist and VFX artist.
Work experience
2022-present: Unreal Engine Technical artist, VFX artist at Pixomondo
2020-2022 Freelance Technical Artist, 3D Generalist (The Mill, Rascal Post, Pixomondo, AngryMob Games …)
2018-2020 CG Artist at Ubiquiti Networks, Internal Design team
2017-2018 Real time Unity/Unreal based production artist for TV series Zapovednik
2015-2017: 3D/2D generalist, Technical supervisor and VR developer at OrangeLV
2013-2015: 3D/2D generalist, motion designer, developer at Modern Media
2011-2012: Creative director and Art lead at digital agency Digibrand
2009-2011: Flash/social game developer at InnoWate with focus on game engine and 3D graphics R&D
2005-2009: Game engine programmer (C++) for XBox 360 at CTXM
2001-2002: Character and game level 3D modeller and animator at Sybersoft
Education
2012/2013: Hochschule Luzern, Switzerland, 3D animation department
2009-2013: Bachelors degree, Latvian Academy of Art, Visual communication department.
2007-2009: Masters degree in Computer Science, University of Latvia
2003-2007: Bachelors degree in Computer Science, University of Latvia
Awards International ZOOTRÓPIO Film & Video Festival, 2012, Animation: Overall Best! for History of Levitation
Skills
Software skills: Houdini, Cinema 4D, Maya, Blender, ZBrush, Unity 3D, Unreal Engine, BlackMagic Fusion, Substance Toolset
Programming skills: C/C++, Python , C# (Unity), Shaders
Professional interests: Technical Art, Houdini, 3D graphics and VFX, Real-Time graphics and Game programming, Pipelines and automation.