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Hi, I’m Claira Ames, a game designer based in Calgary, AB. I’ve contributed to student and indie projects across Unity and Unreal, creating design docs, prototyping mechanics, and balancing gameplay. I enjoy collaborating with programmers & sound designers to iterate features through regular playtests. I’m comfortable leading design conversations from concept to polish. I hold a Diploma in Game Design from Vancouver Film School and have documented creatures, AI behaviors, and level layouts for multiple titles. I will utilize pre-fab workflows, Gen AI as a tool, and cross-discipline teamwork. I’m excited to keep telling tales that lead relevant experiences in our non-fiction day to day!…Hi, I’m Claira Ames, a game designer based in Calgary, AB. I’ve contributed to student and indie projects across Unity and Unreal, creating design docs, prototyping mechanics, and balancing gameplay. I enjoy collaborating with programmers & sound designers to iterate features through regular playtests. I’m comfortable leading design conversations from concept to polish. I hold a Diploma in Game Design from Vancouver Film School and have documented creatures, AI behaviors, and level layouts for multiple titles. I will utilize pre-fab workflows, Gen AI as a tool, and cross-discipline teamwork. I’m excited to keep telling tales that lead relevant experiences in our non-fiction day to day!

Claira Ames

3D Designer, Game Designer, Graphic Designer, +5

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Hi, I’m Claira Ames, a game designer based in Calgary, AB. I’ve contributed to student and indie projects across Unity and Unreal, creating design docs, prototyping mechanics, and balancing gameplay. I enjoy collaborating with programmers & sound designers to iterate features through regular playtests. I’m comfortable leading design conversations from concept to polish. I hold a Diploma in Game Design from Vancouver Film School and have documented creatures, AI behaviors, and level layouts for multiple titles. I will utilize pre-fab workflows, Gen AI as a tool, and cross-discipline teamwork. I’m excited to keep telling tales that lead relevant experiences in our non-fiction day to day!…Hi, I’m Claira Ames, a game designer based in Calgary, AB. I’ve contributed to student and indie projects across Unity and Unreal, creating design docs, prototyping mechanics, and balancing gameplay. I enjoy collaborating with programmers & sound designers to iterate features through regular playtests. I’m comfortable leading design conversations from concept to polish. I hold a Diploma in Game Design from Vancouver Film School and have documented creatures, AI behaviors, and level layouts for multiple titles. I will utilize pre-fab workflows, Gen AI as a tool, and cross-discipline teamwork. I’m excited to keep telling tales that lead relevant experiences in our non-fiction day to day!

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Claira Ames, a game designer based in Calgary, AB. I’ve contributed to student and indie projects across Unity and Unreal, creating design docs, prototyping mechanics, and balancing gameplay. I enjoy collaborating with programmers & sound designers to iterate features through regular playtests. I’m comfortable leading design conversations from concept to polish.

I hold a Diploma in Game Design from Vancouver Film School and have documented creatures, AI behaviors, and level layouts for multiple titles. I will utilize pre-fab workflows, Gen AI as a tool, and cross-discipline teamwork. I’m excited to keep telling tales that lead relevant experiences in our non-fiction day to day!

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Dungeon Master at Personal project

January 1, 2016 - Present

Dungeon Master for 6+ years of writing, 2D layouts, combat balancing and storytelling.

Environment Artist at SX XL - [Student Project]

April 1, 2023 - September 17, 2025

Environment artist for a Unity-based racing game; created and textured 6 props, modeled 9 organic obstacles, designed 32 level layouts, and implemented prefab-based workflows in collaboration with a team.

Creature Designer at Nightingale - Inflexion Games

November 1, 2024 - September 17, 2025

Creature Designer working with AI-assisted design to create challenging enemies and wildlife; documented design concepts for approval and collaborated with level designers.

Dungeon Master at Self-Employed (Role-Playing Games)

January 1, 2016 - Present

Wrote and ran tabletop campaigns, crafted 2D layouts, balanced combat, and authored immersive storytelling for 6+ years.

Volunteer (Cat Health & Wellness) at BC SPCA

December 1, 2023 - September 17, 2025

Recognized and treated signs of fear, anxiety and stress in cats and dogs; assisted with welfare tasks.

Environment Artist at Alchemy Frogs (Student Project)

October 5, 2023 - September 17, 2025

2D/3D environment art for a two-player cooperative puzzle game. Modeled, textured and implemented multiple props in engine; created lively environments using vegetation and blend shapes; collaborated on 2D level layouts.

Environment Artist at SSA XL (Student Project)

April 1, 2023 - September 17, 2025

Racing game environment art. Modeled and textured nine organic obstacles and six props; created 32 level layouts in a team setting; collaborated on prefab-based workflows.

Environment Artist at Nightingale (Inflexio Games)

November 1, 2024 - September 17, 2025

Survival crafting game environment work; contributed to creature AI integration, level design collaboration, and rapid prototyping; documented design concepts for approvals.

Pet Care Associate at PetSmart

September 1, 2025 - Present

Responsible for routine care tasks, daily organization, and customer service.

Dungeon Master

January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2024

Wrote campaign scenarios, created 2D layouts, balanced combat, and guided storytelling for campaigns over several years.

Creature Designer at Inflexion Games – Nightingale

February 1, 2023 - April 1, 2023

Observed, edited, and created AI behaviors; rapid prototyping for new creature abilities; utilized AI Actions and Behavior Trees; documented creature mechanics and led weekly playtests.

Game Designer at SX XL (Student Project)

February 1, 2023 - April 1, 2023

Created prefab-based workflows, design documentation, and level layouts; collaborated with teammates to map player paths and obstacle layouts.

Creature Designer at Inflexion Games – Nightingale (Unreal Engine)

January 1, 2024 - November 1, 2024

Creature design work using Unreal Engine; collaborated with team to implement AI behaviors and balancing; produced prototype assets and design docs.

Creature Designer at Nightingale – Student Project (Unreal Engine)

January 1, 2023 - April 1, 2023

Creature concepting and integration in Unreal Engine; contributed to AI behavior and balancing; collaborated within a multi-disciplinary team.

Creature Designer at Nightingale – Unreal Engine (Edmonton)

January 1, 2024 - November 1, 2024

Designed creatures within Unreal Engine; contributed to AI behavior implementation and balancing; collaborated with art and design teams.