Available to hire
Hi, I’m Cara MacDonald, a Glasgow-based Technical Artist and Animator with a passion for bringing characters to life through clean rigs, fluid locomotion, and responsive gameplay. I study Computer Arts at Abertay University and enjoy collaborating with designers and programmers to merge visual fidelity with project constraints. In 2025 I contributed to several game animation projects and showcased work at university events.
I specialize in Maya-driven rigging and animation, and I enjoy translating artistic concepts into technically robust assets that look great and perform well in game engines like Unreal Engine.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Technical Artist and Animator at DARE Academy
January 1, 2025 - PresentLed the creation of custom animation rigs for character assets, ensuring optimal performance and clean model morphing. Designed and produced high quality locomotion and combat animations in Autodesk Maya. Integrated animations into Unreal Engine and developed interaction logic using Blueprints, supporting responsive in-game behaviours. Collaborated with designers and programmers to ensure visual fidelity matched with technical and project constraints.
Technical Artist and Animator at Abertay University Honours Project
January 1, 2025 - PresentDeveloped and evaluated a full set of NPC locomotion animations using Maya, seamless transitions and responsive movement. Programmed NPC interaction and animation logic in Unreal Engine using Blueprints, enabling real-time gameplay feedback. Featured at the Abertay Digital Graduate Show (2025) showcasing both technical and artistic roles within the project.
Animator at Abertay University & Animation Flow
January 1, 2025 - PresentCreated a variety of gameplay driven animations, focused on movement, combat and player feedback in Autodesk Maya. Participated in multiple game animation challenges and competitions, adapting to different animation styles, briefs and rigs. Developed animation prototypes based on gameplay mechanics and iterated designs based on peer and mentor feedback.
Technical Artist and Animator at DARE Academy
December 31, 2025 - October 22, 2025Led the creation of custom animation rigs for character assets, ensuring optimal performance and clean model morphing. Designed and produced high-quality locomotion and combat animations in Autodesk Maya. Integrated animations into Unreal Engine and developed interaction logic using Blueprints, supporting responsive in-game behaviours. Collaborated with designers and programmers to ensure visual fidelity matched with technical and project constraints.
Technical Artist and Animator at Abertay University Honours Project
December 31, 2025 - October 22, 2025Developed and evaluated a full set of NPC locomotion animations using Maya, seamless transitions and responsive movement. Programmed NPC interaction and animation logic in Unreal Engine using Blueprints, enabling real-time gameplay feedback. Featured at the Abertay Digital Graduate Show (2025) showcasing both technical and artistic roles within the project.
Animator at Abertay University & Animation Flow
December 31, 2025 - October 22, 2025Created a variety of gameplay driven animations, focused on movement, combat and player feedback in Autodesk Maya. Participated in multiple game animation challenges and competitions, adapting to different animation styles, briefs and rigs. Developed animation prototypes based on gameplay mechanics and iterated designs based on peer and mentor feedback.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts (2:1) in Computer Arts at Abertay University, Dundee
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2025National 5 in Cyber Security at New College Lanarkshire - Cumbernauld Campus
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2020National 5 and Higher qualifications (various) at Cumbernauld Academy
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2021Bachelor of Fine Arts (2:1) in Computer Arts at Abertay University
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2025National 5 in Cyber Security at New College Lanarkshire - Cumbernauld Campus
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2020Higher English at Cumbernauld Academy
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2021Higher Graphics Communication at Cumbernauld Academy
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2021Higher Computing Science at Cumbernauld Academy
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2021Higher Art and Design at Cumbernauld Academy
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2021Higher History at Cumbernauld Academy
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2021Higher Photography at Cumbernauld Academy
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2021Higher Psychology at Cumbernauld Academy
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2021Qualifications
Leadership for Life Award (Mark Scott Award)
January 1, 2021 - October 22, 2025Youth Philanthropy Initiative (North Lanarkshire Award)
January 1, 2020 - October 22, 2025DARE: Best Team Award (Abertay University)
January 1, 2025 - October 22, 2025Leadership for Life Award
January 1, 2021 - October 22, 2025Youth Philanthropy Initiative North Lanarkshire
January 1, 2020 - October 22, 2025DARE: Best Team Award
January 1, 2025 - October 22, 2025Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Gaming, Software & Internet, Education, Professional Services
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
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