3D Artist Resume: Sample & Writing Guide [20+ Tips]

As a pro 3D artist, you know your industry inside and out.

You've mastered the software.

You've created 3D models of pretty much everything from rubber ducks to human brains.

You brew your tea in the Utah teapot.

But do you know how to show off your skills, knowledge, and experience in a 2D resume?

While a portfolio of your best work is crucial to present how talented you are, it doesn’t include the information hiring managers need to select candidates. Your 3D artist resume must prove that you aren’t just an amateur who dabbles in graphics as a hobby.

This guide will show you: 

• A 3D artist resume example better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write a 3D artist resume that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on a 3D artist resume.
• How to describe your experience on a resume for a 3D artist to get any job you want

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Targeting other creative jobs? See our dedicated guides:

• Artist Resume
• Artist CV
• Animator Resume
• Graphic Designer Resume
• Interior Design Resume
• UX Designer & UI Developer Resume
• Web Designer Resume
• Photographer Resume
• Video Editor Resume
• Videographer Resume
• Creative Director Resume
• Art Director Resume
• Production Assistant Resume
• Game Design Resume
• Illustrator Resume
• Resume Examples for All Careers

3D Artist Resume Sample

1. Make Your 3D Artist Resume Please the Eye

Is a resume a must if you have a decent 3D artist portfolio in place?

On the surface it seems “no”.

But when you look beyond—

A well-crafted resume is like a wireframe for all your experience and achievements.

Keep this wireframe simple and follow the formatting rules presented below:

• Begin with the resume header to list your name, job title, and social media accounts. It’s also a good place to include a link to your 3D artist portfolio.
• Choose the chronological resume format which will show your most recent projects first.
• Use a set of standard resume categories and label each with a clear heading. These will make your resume easy to navigate.
• Apply legible resume fonts and leave enough white spacing in between the lines.
• Plus, keep the right resume length.

Pro Tip: Don't go flashy when crafting your resume. Remember that your 3D artist resume needs to read easily. See more resume dos and don'ts.

2. Write a 3D Artist Resume Summary or Objective

Hiring managers give your resume only a 7-second look, according to our HR statistics report.

That’s why you need a relevant resume profile to draw them in.

• Use a career summary if you’re a 3D artist with more than 2 years of experience. It will showcase your accomplishments and best career moments.

• A career objective on the other hand promotes skills you’ve mastered so far and helps you prove that you’re a good fit for the position.

3. Create the Perfect 3D Artist Job Description

Regardless of what your area of expertise is (ads, movies, games), describe your 3D artist experience in a way that will showcase your duties and technical knowledge you used in practice.

• Start your resume with your most recent job. Then list previous positions chronologically.
• To each of the job entries add your job title, company name, dates of work, and up to 6 bullet points regarding your duties and accomplishments.
• Use resume action words that will help you present your responsibilities in high fidelity.
• Show your future employer a number of measurable achievements.

Pro tip: Working on 3D concepts is often a complicated group task. Tailor your resume to the job offer to target the right stage of the pipeline (e.g. write a specialized 3D animator resume or 3D modeling resume).

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.

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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.

4. Make Your 3D Artist Resume Education Section Meaningful

Even if it’s common for 3D artists to work with no formal education in place, some companies may require a degree in graphic design, media arts, or animation.

The expectations vary so it’s worth to make the education section of your 3D artist resume to the point.

• Start with your highest degree and add all other schools in reverse-chronological order.
• Follow this pattern: type of degree, your major/minor, school name and location, years in school.
• Did you study Maths, Physics, or Programming? Don’t underestimate these. In the 3D industry analytical thinking is a great asset.

Pro Tip: If you have little work experience to put on your resume, make your knowledge and achievements back you up. In the education section list any awards you won or interesting academic projects you took part in.

5. Highlight Your 3D Artist Skills

The skills section on a job-winning 3D artist resume should be a blend of these two: technological expertise and creative flair.

Add some problem-solving skills and you land this project you dreamed of!

Here’s a sample list of skills that can boost your resume:

Key 3D Art Resume Skills

Technical Skills:

• Adobe: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere
• 3D Software: Blender, ZBrush, 3D Slash, Rhino3D, LightWave 3D, Maya, Cinema 4D, 3D Studio Max
• Physically-Based Rendering (PBR) and Shading
• Typography
• Texturing, UV Mapping
• Graphic Design
• Hand Illustration
• Coloring
• Sculpting Tools
• Character Modeling
• Rigging
• Animation
• Matte Painting
• Compositing

Creative and Soft Skills:

• Collaboration
• Open-Mindedness
• Project Management
• Organization
• Influencing
• Active Listening
• Problem Solving
• Presentation
• Persuading
• Communication Skills
• Brainstorming
• Time Management

Pro Tip: When listing the skills on your 3D artist resume remember about the essentials. 2D is where it all starts and sometimes ends so highlight your 2D skills: sketching, compositing, 2D rendering.

6. Add Other Sections to Your 3D Artist Resume

All the resume sections covered above?

These are necessary.

But if you want to shape your 3D artist resume according to your own lights—

Add an extra section to grab the hiring manager’s attention:

• 3D artist job search is all about relevant coursework and certifications. Devote a separate resume section to all specialized 3D software courses you’ve done.
• Consider creating a Projects section on your resume. Choose the projects that correspond to the job offer. For each entry, list a title, year of completion, and your pipeline responsibility.

• Be art and part of it all and show the recruiter you’re passionate about your job. Make a list of hobbies and interests related to your 3D artist activity.

Pro Tip: If you’re familiar with various stages of 3D processing, consider showing your level of expertise in each of them (just like you do with language levels).

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

7. Attach a Cover Letter to Your 3D Artist Resume

Always thinking three dimensions?

Keep doing this! You already have a portfolio and a resume. What’s the third thing you need?

A catchy 3D artist cover letter. It turns out more than 50% of employers still read them.

Follow these strategies to triple your chances for an interview:

• Hook the hiring manager with a great opening line. You’ve just got it down to a fine art. They read on!
• Use cover letter format that will please the recruiter’s eye (both the left and the right one).
• End your cover letter with an offer. Don’t just promise, show them how you can address the company’s needs.

Pro Tip: Everyone remembers spectacular movie endings. Make your cover letter hard to forget and add a “PS” with one more accomplishment you’re proud of.

And here you go!

You no longer have to visualise your dream job. It’s just become real!

If you have any questions on how to write a 3D artist resume, give us a shout in the comments section! Thanks for reading!