David Roberts

QA Testing and 3D Modeling for Games, Renders, and Virtual Reality

A 3D Artist, Graphic Designer, and QA Tester that thrives in small team environments, with experience across a wide range of 3D modeling methods. Highly analytical, conversational, and loves being involved with research, design, production, and testing. Has been actively engaged with Virtual Reality technology since 2016 both as a frequent hobby, and as a professional.

ArtStation Portfolio

Additional Portfolio Items

drobdesign@gmail.com
Minneapolis, MN

Skills

  • Art - 3D Modeling

    Blender, Substance 3D Painter, GIMP, Unity Engine, Unreal Engine, Inkscape, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign

    Special attention to optimization for real-time rendering in game engines. Knowledge also extends to PBR Texturing, 3D Sculpting, procedural node-based materials, as well as Rigging for Animation and use as avatars in VR.

  • Virtual Reality

    HTC Vive, Valve Index, Full Body Tracking, VRChat, Oculus Go, Leap Motion

    2000+ hours spent wearing various VR headsets as both a hobby and a professional. 300+ hours spent demo-ing VR equipment to clients, customers, and the general public at events and workplaces. I worked as a VR Technician at The VOID where I was tasked with maintaining specialized proprietary VR equipment and large special effects stages. VR has been a big part of my life since 2016.

  • Game Design + QA Testing

    Unity Engine, Unreal Engine, Alternate Reality Games, Escape Rooms

    The pages and pages of personal game design documents that I began writing back in 2007 serves as proof that design is always on my mind. I'm particularly attracted to concepts that break conventions with special attention to the immersive, and emotional effect a game can have on someone. ARG type games are a special interest of mine, both as a player and a designer. I also spent a summer working at a local Escape Room as customer service and assistant designer.

    As a QA Tester, I'm highly analytical with great organizational skills, especially when it comes to bug testing games and making thorough documentation of problems, and how to recreate them. My attention span is quite long, and I have no problem spending intensive amounts of times rigorously replaying scenarios and mechanics to ensure every potential problem is found and noted. My background is in creating 3D art for games, with experience using both Unity and Unreal Engine, so I also understand the common types of problems art assets and game engines may have.

  • Live Streaming

    Twitch.tv, OBS, XSplit

    500+ hours of broadcasting experience in front of a live internet audience. A link to recordings of my streams can be found below. I'm someone who is comfortable in front of a camera.

  • User Experience (UX Design)

    Wireframing, Prototypes, Illustrator, Sketch, Figma

    Excels as a translator between artists, developers, and any other departments involved with a project. Keeps the original vision intact throughout a project's life. Ensures designs remain user-friendly, and accessible, no matter how complex they may become. Communicates simply, and concisely.

  • Audio / Video

    Audacity, DaVinci Resolve, Binaural Recording

    Video and Audio Production is an area of increasing interest to me. I own a simple Binaural microphone which I use to capture soundscapes from around the city. Some samples of my recordings can be found here and here.

  • Programming

    HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, Bootstrap, jQuery

    While I don't consider myself a programmer, I've spent free time learning to program for games and have taken on several front-end web design projects in the past.

  • Misc.

    Articulate Storyline 3 and 360, Discord, 3D Printing, Morse Code, Traditional Cryptology, Shortwave Radio, Bicycling, Inline Skating

History

  • 3D Modeler and Materials Artist
    Luna.io

    2022 - 2023

    Contracted to model, and design materials for, hundreds of various types of eyewear. The models were used for a "digital try-on" mobile app, and renders used for 360 views on eyewear vendor websites such as glasses.com

  • VR Technician
    The VOID (Mall of America)

    2019 - 2020

    Originally hired as a customer service host, but was later promoted to Virtual Reality Technician. As a technician I provided constant maintenance of complex proprietary VR technology, immersive stage effects, and all other technical equipment required for daily operations.

  • Lead Designer, MediaWiki Template Coder, Wiki Admin (Volunteer)
    Book of Travels Fan Wiki

    2021

    After the early access launch of Book of Travels, I worked with several other community members to plan and produce a comprehensive wiki for the game. The game is unusual in how it features thousands of items and NPCs, so I meticulously designed and coded a set of modular templates that could tackle the sheer quantity of information the game provides. As of May 2022, the wiki now has 2,838 pages and is expected to grow as the game nears full release.

  • Game Designer, 3D Modeler, Level Designer
    Vine Realms Charity Game

    2020

    Lead the complete redesign of this charity event's annual game, assisted with art direction, then focused on producing 3D assets and level design consultation.

  • Customer Service, Game Testing
    Riddle Room (Escape Room)

    2019

    Greeted guests, introduced them to the experience, provided assistance if needed, and performanced basic room maintenance. I also assisted with the design of new experiences, and acted as a tester.

  • Project Lead, Lead Designer, Web Designer, Writer
    Vinesauce Is Hope Charity ARG

    2019

    Lead a small team of artists and programmers to create a promotional Alternate Reality Game leading up to the weekend long video game streaming charity event. This not only required planning and production, but also managing and performing the game as a event for the players in real time. I produced a behind-the-scenes video here.

  • Project Lead, Game Designer, Web Designer
    Vinesauce Is Hope Charity Game

    2018

    Created and operated a simple browser-based puzzle game to help generate viewer engagement for the weekend long video game streaming charity event. My behind-the-scenes video of this particular game can be viewed here.

  • 3D Modeler, QA Tester
    PuzzleFox Interactive
    Moai Technologies

    2018

    Created 3D game assets, and thorough Quality Assurance testing of several interactive projects.

  • VR Designer and Consultant
    Visual, Inc

    2016 - 2018

    Various contracted projects involving designing and demo-ing Gear VR and Vive VR experiences for events around Minnesota.

    Most recent projects involved two VR experiences, one for Be The Match, and the other for Midwest Dairy Association for Super Bowl LII. Duties involved 3D Modeling, and constant on-site tech support and volunteer training for both during the weeks leading up to the big game.

    QA testing and on-site technical support for WellnessVR, an initiative and custom made VR app designed to combat loneliness in seniors residing in care centers. One of the most impactful projects I've ever been involved with.

  • Consultant
    The Creative Group

    2017

    A variety of temporary positions involving creating eLearning materials, and content loading.

  • VR Exhibition Designer
    MSP International Film Festival,
    GlitchCon

    2017

    Designed, setup, and maintained two VR exhibitions. One for the MSP International Film Festival, and another for GlitchCon 2017. The process involved meeting with festival organizers in advance, speaking with all exhibiting artists, sketching out floorplans to fit all the various projects into one area, setting up the spaces, organizing VR equipment, being on site for every day of both festivals to keep everything functioning, fitting VR equipment on to hundreds of visitors, keeping things sanitary, then taking everything down and returning equipment.

  • VR Zone Producer
    Northern Spark 2016

    2016

    Organized a large Gear VR experience, and trained volunteers during the all-night arts festival.

  • CMS Coordinator and Web Developer
    MSP Communications

    2012 - 2016

    Responsible for converting a large portion of the company’s print content for use on the web, utilizing various CMS systems such as Kentico and Drupal. Nearly 5,000 articles processed over 4 years. During this time, I formatted the web content for: Mpls St.Paul Magazine (mspmag.com), Twin Cities Business (tcbmag.com), and IBM Systems Magazine. In addition, I formatted and launched several weekly email newsletters, front-end developed announcement microsites, filmed and edited company events for archival purposes.

  • Graphic Designer
    Hatchworks Graphic Design Studio

    2010 - 2011

    Produced several hundred print ads and redesigned a dozen static HTML sites to make use of WordPress.

  • Volunteer Radio DJ and Designer
    KUMD 103.3 FM, Duluth, MN

    2007 - 2009

    Hosted late night radio show, designed new print schedule, and prototyped new logos.

  • B.F.A. Graphic Design
    University of Minnesota, Duluth

    2006 - 2010

Additional Portfolio

  • Art Portfolio on ArtStation.com

    3D Digital Art, VR, Game Design

  • WXOW Interview about VR

    HTC Vive, Unity Engine

    WXOW in La Crosse, WI interviewed several people involved with this VR project, including me. Click the thumbnail for the full TV spot.

  • Hiway VR Hockey

    VR, HTC Vive, Unity Engine, 3D Modeling, Game Design

    Worked with Visual to create a virtual reality hockey game for Hiway Federal Credit Union, who are partners with the Minnesota Wild NHL team. Our game was played by the owner and star goalie of the team. The event received coverage from NHL.com and Fox Sports North. Click the thumbnail for the news report.

  • Twitch Streaming

    Live Streaming, VR

    In my free time I host my own live streaming channel through a service called Twitch. The show focuses mainly on a variety of video games with my own commentary. I average 60 viewers per stream, and interact with them as often as I can. I have over 500 hours of broadcast time. Everything is done from this studio that I setup at home.

  • ScumSoft ARG

    Project Lead, Lead Designer, Web Designer, Writer

    Lead a small team of artists and programmers to create a promotional Alternate Reality Game leading up to the weekend long video game streaming charity event. This not only required planning and production, but also managing and performing the game as a event for the players in real time. Click the thumbnail for a behind-the-scenes video that I made.

  • Charity Event ARG

    Project Lead, Game Designer, Web Designer

    I volunteered to design and develop a promotional Alternate Reality Game for an online charity event. We had roughly 70 total participants. Click the thumbnail for a video of me explaining the event, walkthrough begins at the 11:35 timestamp.