Hi, I’m Franklin Sterling III, a 3D artist and designer based in Dallas, TX, with extensive experience creating high-end 3D assets for theme parks, films, and location-based experiences. I specialize in modeling, texturing, rigging, and visual development, collaborating with diverse studios to bring imaginative concepts to life while maintaining production efficiency. Over the past decade I’ve contributed to Storyland Studios, Paramount Parks & Resorts, Mindshow, and other studios, driving previsualization and asset pipelines to improve storytelling and reduce iteration time. I’m excited to join creative teams that push the boundaries of technology and immersive design.

Franklin Sterling III

Hi, I’m Franklin Sterling III, a 3D artist and designer based in Dallas, TX, with extensive experience creating high-end 3D assets for theme parks, films, and location-based experiences. I specialize in modeling, texturing, rigging, and visual development, collaborating with diverse studios to bring imaginative concepts to life while maintaining production efficiency. Over the past decade I’ve contributed to Storyland Studios, Paramount Parks & Resorts, Mindshow, and other studios, driving previsualization and asset pipelines to improve storytelling and reduce iteration time. I’m excited to join creative teams that push the boundaries of technology and immersive design.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Franklin Sterling III, a 3D artist and designer based in Dallas, TX, with extensive experience creating high-end 3D assets for theme parks, films, and location-based experiences. I specialize in modeling, texturing, rigging, and visual development, collaborating with diverse studios to bring imaginative concepts to life while maintaining production efficiency.

Over the past decade I’ve contributed to Storyland Studios, Paramount Parks & Resorts, Mindshow, and other studios, driving previsualization and asset pipelines to improve storytelling and reduce iteration time. I’m excited to join creative teams that push the boundaries of technology and immersive design.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

3D Artist at Storyland Studios, Corona, CA
August 31, 2025 - August 18, 2025
Designed and developed visual concepts utilizing 3D modeling to create location-based entertainment experiences for private and commercial organizations globally.
Freelance 3D Artist at Self-employed, USA
June 1, 2010 - Present
Provided 3D modeling, texturing, rigging, layout, and animation services across various projects since 2010.
3D Artist (Design & Visual Development) at Paramount Parks and Resorts, West Hollywood, CA
August 31, 2024 - August 18, 2025
Designed and visually developed themed attractions producing 3D models of environments, characters, and stage elements for resorts worldwide. Key projects included creating 3D models for "Spongebob’s Crazy Carnival Ride" in Las Vegas, "Fly With Appa" ride vehicle at Mall of America, and Nickelodeon Land at The Land of Legends, Türkiye. Responsible for file preparation for molding and fabrication.
Lead Layout Artist at Mindshow, Los Angeles, CA
April 30, 2022 - August 18, 2025
Handled previs and scene assembly, debugged complex props and hard surface rigs within Maya, tested character rigs, optimized pipeline processes and assisted pipeline improvement efforts.
Associate Designer at Paramount Parks and Resorts, West Hollywood, CA
January 31, 2021 - August 18, 2025
Designed themed attractions, utilizing 3D modeling to conceptualize environments, characters, and stage elements for resort parks globally.
Lead 3D Modeler at Thinkwell Group, Los Angeles, CA
March 31, 2019 - August 18, 2025
Created hard surface and organic 3D models, UV layouts, textures, lighting, and rendering for architectural facades and set designs for amusement parks and museums internationally. Animated simulations for props and stage transitions in live and interactive shows. Acted as liaison between design, interactive tech, media, and business development departments. Prepared files and converted formats for external vendors. Highlighted project: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi designing iconic character models and preparing files for mold making and fabrication.
Layout Artist at Eric Miller Animation, Los Angeles, CA
July 31, 2016 - August 18, 2025
Converted storyboards into 3D camera shots, staged character actions for animation sequences, and ensured files were correctly set up for animation steps. Worked on projects such as "Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie."
3D Animator at Alpha Animation, Burbank, CA
April 30, 2016 - August 18, 2025
Created 3D character animations for the Australian household errands outsourcing app "Buzz."
Layout Artist at Sprite Animation Studios, Culver City, CA
December 31, 2015 - August 18, 2025
Converted 2D storyboards to 3D camera shots, staged characters, and plotted actions for animation. Worked on full-length 3D film adaptation "Rudolf & Ippaiattena."
3D Artist/Designer at 31 Thirteen Studio, Burbank, CA
March 31, 2015 - August 18, 2025
3D modeling of architecture and set designs for worldwide amusement parks, character modeling and rigging, matte painting, 2.5D animation, and web design.
Layout Artist at Sprite Animation Studios, Culver City, CA
October 31, 2014 - August 18, 2025
Converted 2D storyboards into 3D camera shots, staged characters and plotted actions for animation in "Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures: Season 2" episodes.
3D Artist/Designer at 31 Thirteen Studio, Burbank, CA
August 31, 2014 - August 18, 2025
3D modeling of architecture and set designs for amusement parks globally, 3D character modeling and rigging, matte painting, and work on Universal City Walk project "Gru's Lab Café."
Character Animator/Layout Artist at Bento Box Interactive, Marina del Rey, CA
September 30, 2012 - August 18, 2025
Created Maya character animations, converted storyboards to 3D camera shots, staged characters and actions for each scene; notable work includes "Alicia Keys Presents: The Journals of Mama Mae & Leelee," an interactive children’s book.
3D Artist at Inhance Digital, Los Angeles, CA
August 31, 2012 - August 18, 2025
Maya character animation, rigging, dynamic simulations, 3D modeling, UV mapping, texturing, and lighting using 3D Studio Max. Worked on TiVo projects including "TiVo Manifesto," "Singing Tivograms," and "TiVo Best Buy vignettes."
Production Assistant/3D Modeling at The Zoo, FX, Calabasas, CA
July 31, 2010 - August 18, 2025
3D modeling, UV mapping, texturing, lighting using Maya, vehicle rigging, and animation.
Teaching Assistant at The Art Institute of California, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, CA
June 1, 2010 - August 18, 2025
Assisted Life Drawing and Anatomy teacher in coordinating class exercises.
Production Intern at Chambers Bros. Entertainment, Los Angeles, CA
April 30, 2010 - August 18, 2025
Character rigs, scene setup, character animation, and lip sync animation using Flash for "Cheech & Chong's Animated Movie."
3D Artist at Storyland Studios
August 31, 2025 - September 9, 2025
Conceptualized 4+ location-based entertainment experiences, crafting detailed 3D models that captured client visions for global commercial and private projects.
3D Artist at Paramount Parks & Resorts
August 31, 2024 - September 9, 2025
Ideated 6+ ride vehicles and 8+ character sculpts through advanced 3D modeling techniques, enhancing guest experiences with innovative design approaches tailored to themed attractions contributing to a memorable visitor experience.
Lead Layout Artist at Mindshow
April 30, 2022 - September 9, 2025
Spearheaded the previz process for projects through assembling complex scenes, enhancing visual storytelling and reducing iteration time by 25% throughout all production phases.
Associate Designer at Paramount Parks & Resorts
January 31, 2021 - September 9, 2025
Formulated detailed visualizations of 3D models that served as foundational assets for attraction development, streamlining the design process and improving project timelines by 22%.
Lead 3D Modeler
March 1, 2019 - September 9, 2025
Layout Artist at Eric Miller Animation
July 31, 2016 - September 9, 2025
Staged characters and positions to support fluid transitions and reinforce visual continuity for 10+ scenes. Prepared 8+ rigs, props and scenes for reliable integration into the animation pipeline, ensuring consistency and minimizing delays.
3D Animator at Alpha Animation
April 30, 2016 - September 9, 2025
Produced high-quality 3D character animations for an iOS outsourcing app.
Layout Artist at Sprite Animation
December 31, 2015 - September 9, 2025
Orchestrated 3D camera animation for 20+ scenes, establishing narrative flow and artistic shot composition, and enabling the animation team to meet all deadlines for the project.
3D Artist | 3D Designer at 31T hirteen Inc
March 31, 2015 - September 9, 2025
Updated initial architectural concepts into immersive experiences through photo-realistic 3D model renders and matte paintings.
Layout Artist at Sprite Animation
October 31, 2014 - September 9, 2025
Mapped 2D storyboards to 3D camera compositions, strengthening narrative impact and storytelling. Collaborated closely with animators to integrate 3D assets, resulting in zero critical bugs reported during the production phase of projects.
3D Artist | 3D Designer at 31T hirteen Inc
August 31, 2014 - September 9, 2025
Shaped visual storytelling through intricate 3D models for architectural and set designs in amusement parks globally, enhancing visual storytelling. Crafted expressive 3D character models, fully rigged and posed, to bring creative concepts to life.
Character Animator at Braingoo Studios
October 31, 2013 - September 9, 2025
Delivered 8+ immersive character cycle animations, maintaining consistency and improving visual integrity by 12%.
Character Animator at Bento Box Interactive
September 30, 2012 - September 9, 2025
Formulated engaging animations for an interactive children's iPad experience, enhancing user interaction by 15%.
3D Artist at Inhance Digital
August 31, 2012 - September 9, 2025
Executed 3D modeling, texturing, and retopologizing, ensuring high-quality assets for production. Changed static character concepts into lively animations, generating 10+ distinct animation cycles and improving project visual appeal for clients.
3D Artist at Storyland Studios
August 1, 2025 - September 9, 2025
Conceived 4+ location-based entertainment experiences, crafting detailed 3D models that captured client visions for global commercial and private projects.
3D Artist at Paramount Parks & Resorts
August 1, 2024 - September 9, 2025
Ideated 6+ ride vehicles and 8+ character sculpts through advanced 3D modeling techniques, enhancing guest experiences with innovative design approaches tailored to themed attractions contributing to a memorable visitor experience.
Lead Layout Artist at Mindshow
April 1, 2022 - September 9, 2025
Spearheaded the previz process for projects through assembling complex scenes, enhancing visual storytelling and reducing iteration time by 25% throughout all production phases.
Associate Designer at Paramount Parks & Resorts
January 1, 2021 - September 9, 2025
Formulated detailed visualizations of 3D models that served as foundational assets for attraction development, streamlining the design process and improving project timelines by 22%.
Lead 3D Modeler at T Covell Group
March 1, 2019 - September 9, 2025
Executed high-end 3D modeling solutions for worldwide brands, driving visual consistency and market appeal. Spearheaded the optimization of 3D model preparation workflows for external vendors, decreasing file size by 15% while maintaining model fidelity and artistic integrity for immersive experiences.
Layout Artist at Eric Miller Animation
July 1, 2016 - September 9, 2025
Staged characters and positions to support fluid transitions and reinforce visual continuity for 10+ scenes.
3D Animator at Alpha Animation
April 1, 2016 - September 9, 2025
Produced high-quality 3D character animations for an iOS outsourcing app.
Layout Artist at Sprite Animation
December 1, 2015 - September 9, 2025
Orchestrated 3D camera animation for 20+ scenes, establishing narrative flow and artistic shot composition, and enabling the animation team to meet all deadlines for the project.
3D Artist | 3D Designer at 31Thirteen Inc
March 1, 2015 - September 9, 2025
Updated initial architectural concepts into immersive experiences through photo-realistic 3D model renders and matte paintings.
Layout Artist at Sprite Animation
October 1, 2014 - September 9, 2025
Mapped 2D storyboards to 3D camera compositions, strengthening narrative impact and storytelling. Collaborated closely with animators to integrate 3D assets, resulting in zero critical bugs reported during the production phase of projects.
3D Artist | 3D Designer at 31Thirteen Inc
August 1, 2014 - September 9, 2025
Shaped visual storytelling through intricate 3D models for architectural and set designs in amusement parks globally, enhancing visual storytelling. Crafted expressive 3D character models, fully rigged and posed, to bring creative concepts to life.
Character Animator at Braingoo Studios
October 1, 2013 - September 9, 2025
Delivered 8+ immersive character cycle animations, maintaining consistency and improving visual integrity by 12%.
Character Animator at Bento Box Interactive
September 1, 2012 - September 9, 2025
Formulated engaging animations for an interactive children's iPad experience, enhancing user interaction by 15%.
3D Artist at Inhance Digital
August 1, 2012 - September 9, 2025
Executed 3D modeling, texturing, and retopologizing, ensuring high-quality assets for production. Changed static character concepts into lively animations, generating 10+ distinct animation cycles and improving project visual appeal for clients.
3D Artist at Storyland Studios
August 1, 2025 - September 9, 2025
Conceptualized 4+ location-based entertainment experiences, crafting detailed 3D models that captured client visions for global commercial and private projects.
3D Artist at Paramount Parks & Resorts
August 1, 2024 - September 9, 2025
Ideated 6+ ride vehicles and 8+ character sculpts through advanced 3D modeling techniques, enhancing guest experiences with innovative design approaches tailored to themed attractions contributing to a memorable visitor experience.
Lead Layout Artist at Mindshow
April 1, 2022 - September 9, 2025
Spearheaded the previz process for projects through assembling complex scenes, enhancing visual storytelling and reducing iteration time by 25% throughout all production phases.
Associate Designer at Paramount Parks & Resorts
January 1, 2021 - September 9, 2025
Formulated detailed visualizations of 3D models that served as foundational assets for attraction development, streamlining the design process and improving project timelines by 22%.
Lead 3D Modeler
March 1, 2019 - September 9, 2025
Executed high-end 3D modeling solutions for worldwide brands, driving visual consistency and market appeal. Spearheaded the optimization of 3D model preparation workflows for external vendors, decreasing file size by 15% while maintaining model fidelity and artistic integrity for immersive experiences.
Lead Layout Artist at Eric Miller Animation
July 1, 2016 - September 9, 2025
Staged characters and positions to support fluid transitions and reinforce visual continuity for 10+ scenes. Prepared 8+ rigs, props and scenes for reliable integration into the animation pipeline, ensuring consistency and minimizing delays.
3D Animator at Alpha Animation
April 1, 2016 - September 9, 2025
Produced high-quality 3D character animations for an iOS outsourcing app.
Layout Artist at Sprite Animation
December 1, 2015 - September 9, 2025
Orchestrated 3D camera animation for 20+ scenes, establishing narrative flow and artistic shot composition, and enabling the animation team to meet all deadlines for the project.
3D Artist | 3D Designer at 31Thirteen Inc
March 1, 2015 - September 9, 2025
Updated initial architectural concepts into immersive experiences through photo-realistic 3D model renders and matte paintings.
Layout Artist at Sprite Animation
October 1, 2014 - September 9, 2025
Mapped 2D storyboards to 3D camera compositions, strengthening narrative impact and storytelling. Collaborated closely with animators to integrate 3D assets, resulting in zero critical bugs reported during the production phase of projects.
3D Artist | 3D Designer at 31Thirteen Inc
August 1, 2014 - September 9, 2025
Shaped visual storytelling through intricate 3D models for architectural and set designs in amusement parks globally, enhancing visual storytelling. Crafted expressive 3D character models, fully rigged and posed, to bring creative concepts to life.
Character Animator at Braingoo Studios
October 1, 2013 - September 9, 2025
Delivered 8+ immersive character cycle animations, maintaining consistency and improving visual integrity by 12%.
Character Animator at Bento Box Interactive
September 1, 2012 - September 9, 2025
Formulated engaging animations for an interactive children’s iPad experience, enhancing user interaction by 15%.
3D Artist at Inhance Digital
August 1, 2012 - September 9, 2025
Executed 3D modeling, texturing, and retopologizing, ensuring high-quality assets for production. Changed static character concepts into lively animations, generating 10+ distinct animation cycles and improving project visual appeal for clients.
3D Artist at Storyland Studios
August 1, 2025 - September 9, 2025
Conceptualized 4+ location-based entertainment experiences, crafting detailed 3D models that captured client visions for global commercial and private projects.
3D Artist at Paramount Parks & Resorts
August 1, 2024 - September 9, 2025
Ideated 6+ ride vehicles and 8+ character sculpts through advanced 3D modeling techniques, enhancing guest experiences with innovative design approaches tailored to themed attractions contributing to a memorable visitor experience.
Lead Layout Artist at Mindshow
April 1, 2022 - September 9, 2025
Spearheaded the previz process for projects through assembling complex scenes, enhancing visual storytelling and reducing iteration time by 25% throughout all production phases.
Associate Designer at Paramount Parks & Resorts
January 1, 2021 - September 9, 2025
Formulated detailed visualizations of 3D models that served as foundational assets for attraction development, streamlining the design process and improving project timelines by 22%.
Lead 3D Modeler
March 1, 2019 - September 9, 2025
Executed high-end 3D modeling solutions for worldwide brands, driving visual consistency and market appeal. Spearheaded the optimization of 3D model preparation workflows for external vendors, decreasing file size by 15% while maintaining model fidelity and artistic integrity for immersive experiences.
Layout Artist at Eric Miller Animation
July 1, 2016 - September 9, 2025
Staged characters and positions to support fluid transitions and reinforce visual continuity for 10+ scenes. Prepared 8+ rigs, props and scenes for reliable integration into the animation pipeline, ensuring consistency and minimizing delays.
3D Animator at Alpha Animation
April 1, 2016 - September 9, 2025
Produced high-quality 3D character animations for an iOS outsourcing app.
Layout Artist at Sprite Animation
December 1, 2015 - September 9, 2025
Orchestrated 3D camera animation for 20+ scenes, establishing narrative flow and artistic shot composition, and enabling the animation team to meet all deadlines for the project.
3D Artist | 3D Designer at 31Thirteen Inc
March 1, 2015 - September 9, 2025
Updated initial architectural concepts into immersive experiences through photo-realistic 3D model renders and matte paintings.
Layout Artist at Sprite Animation
October 1, 2014 - September 9, 2025
Mapped 2D storyboards to 3D camera compositions, strengthening narrative impact and storytelling. Collaborated closely with animators to integrate 3D assets, resulting in zero critical bugs reported during the production phase of projects.
3D Artist | 3D Designer at 31Thirteen Inc
August 1, 2014 - September 9, 2025
Shaped visual storytelling through intricate 3D models for architectural and set designs in amusement parks globally, enhancing visual storytelling. Crafted expressive 3D character models, fully rigged and posed, to bring creative concepts to life.
Character Animator at Braingoo Studios
October 1, 2013 - September 9, 2025
Delivered 8+ immersive character cycle animations, maintaining consistency and improving visual integrity by 12%.
Character Animator at Bento Box Interactive
September 1, 2012 - September 9, 2025
Formulated engaging animations for an interactive children’s iPad experience, enhancing user interaction by 15%.
3D Artist at Inhance Digital
August 1, 2012 - September 9, 2025
Executed 3D modeling, texturing, and retopologizing, ensuring high-quality assets for production. Drove lifelike animation cycles and visual appeal for clients.

Education

Bachelor of Science, Media Arts and Animation at The Art Institute of California, Los Angeles
July 1, 2008 - June 1, 2010
Bachelor of Science at The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles
January 11, 2030 - June 1, 2010
Bachelor of Science; Major in Media Arts & Animation at The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles, Santa Monica, CA
January 11, 2030 - June 1, 2010
Bachelor of Science at The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles, Santa Monica, CA
January 11, 2030 - June 1, 2010
Bachelor of Science at The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles
January 11, 2030 - June 1, 2010

Qualifications

Vale Dictorian (Academic Honor)
June 1, 2010 - August 18, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Travel & Hospitality