Character Artist with a BA (Hons) in Game Art & Animation from SAE Institute London, specializing in character design and complete AAA game development pipelines. I bracket traditional craftsmanship (as a former Goldsmith and Sculptor) with digital innovation, ensuring exceptional anatomical accuracy and highly optimized game-ready assets. Expert in high-poly sculpting, low-poly retopology, PBR texturing, and rigging. I actively integrate Generative AI tools into my workflow to accelerate brainstorming, generate animation references, and iteratively refine design concepts. Multilingual professional (Italian native, English C1 Advanced, Spanish A2) accustomed to cross-functional collaboration and delivering high-end assets under tight production deadlines. 20 years of experience across 3D character art, environments, and AAA pipelines.…

Michael Lugaresi

Character Artist with a BA (Hons) in Game Art & Animation from SAE Institute London, specializing in character design and complete AAA game development pipelines. I bracket traditional craftsmanship (as a former Goldsmith and Sculptor) with digital innovation, ensuring exceptional anatomical accuracy and highly optimized game-ready assets. Expert in high-poly sculpting, low-poly retopology, PBR texturing, and rigging. I actively integrate Generative AI tools into my workflow to accelerate brainstorming, generate animation references, and iteratively refine design concepts. Multilingual professional (Italian native, English C1 Advanced, Spanish A2) accustomed to cross-functional collaboration and delivering high-end assets under tight production deadlines. 20 years of experience across 3D character art, environments, and AAA pipelines.…

Available to hire

Character Artist with a BA (Hons) in Game Art & Animation from SAE Institute London, specializing in character design and complete AAA game development pipelines. I bracket traditional craftsmanship (as a former Goldsmith and Sculptor) with digital innovation, ensuring exceptional anatomical accuracy and highly optimized game-ready assets.

Expert in high-poly sculpting, low-poly retopology, PBR texturing, and rigging. I actively integrate Generative AI tools into my workflow to accelerate brainstorming, generate animation references, and iteratively refine design concepts. Multilingual professional (Italian native, English C1 Advanced, Spanish A2) accustomed to cross-functional collaboration and delivering high-end assets under tight production deadlines. 20 years of experience across 3D character art, environments, and AAA pipelines.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

Italian
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate
English
Fluent

Work Experience

Assistant Sculptor at Rossi Franca Studio
September 11, 2007 - June 21, 2009
Preparing clay for the Rakutech technique; sculpting; managing laboratory items.
Assistant Manager at Sushi Couture Ocean Drive
November 15, 2014 - May 25, 2015
Managing, booking and seating of the floor. Team of 6 people on the floor. Welcoming at the door. Trainer of new incoming members.
Head Bartender at Royal Opera House
February 2, 2017 - June 6, 2019
Delivering customer service at champagne bar. Preparing cocktail and signature cocktails for customers. Providing training for new hires (more than twenty employees).
Polisher at Dai Tian Diamond Hatton Garden
June 18, 2019 - November 15, 2019
Polishing jewelry.
Bar Supervisor
November 24, 2020 - May 1, 2021
Bar supervisor. Customer floor service at Battersea Rise address.
Goldsmith & Finishing Specialist at Dai Tien Diamond
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019
Delivered high-precision polishing for luxury jewelry, increasing production efficiency by 10% and ensuring flawless finishes.
Graphic Designer at 4th Regiment Alpini Paracadutisti Ranger (Ranger) – Official Insignia
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011
Designed official insignia (Ranger/Predator motif), boosting unit morale through iconic symbolism.
3D Character Artist (Selected Projects) at SAE Institute London
January 1, 2024 - Present
Selected projects including 'Deja Vu' and 'Cyber City'. Led full character pipelines: High-Poly Sculpting in ZBrush; Low-Poly Retopology and UV Mapping in Maya; PBR texturing in Substance Painter; Real-Time Rendering in Unreal Engine 5. Integrated AI workflows to accelerate brainstorming and refine design concepts.
Goldsmith & Finishing Specialist at Dai Tien Diamond, London
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019
Delivered high-precision polishing and micro-detailing for luxury jewelry, increasing production efficiency by 10% while maintaining elite quality under tight deadlines.
Graphic Designer at 4th Alpini Paratroopers Regiment 'Ranger'
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011
Designed official unit insignia (Ranger/Predator motif) and managed full design lifecycle from research to production-ready assets.
Lead Modeler at Cyber City Project (SAE Institute London)
January 1, 2024 - Present
Led modeling efforts for the 'Cyber City' team project, developing foundational 3D assets and ensuring technical consistency and optimization. Coordinated the art team and milestones with Gantt charts, delivering 100% on time.
Goldsmith & Finishing Specialist at Dai Tian Diamond, London
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019
Delivered high-precision polishing and micro-detailing for luxury jewelry, increasing production efficiency while maintaining elite quality under tight deadlines.
Graphic Designer at 4th Alpine Paratroopers Regiment 'Ranger', Italy
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011
Designed official unit insignia (Ranger/Predator motif) and managed full design lifecycle from research to production-ready assets.
Assistant Sculptor at Rossi Franca Studio, Cesena
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2009
Optimized Raku clay preparation and studio workflows, boosting productivity and refining details.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Game Art and Animation at SAE Institute UK, London
January 22, 2024 - January 18, 2026
A Level Art at Istituto d’arte Forlì
September 9, 2006 - June 22, 2008
BTec in Art Jewellery and Design at Istituto d’arte Forlì
September 9, 2005 - June 22, 2006
BA (Hons) Game Art & Animation at SAE Institute, London
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2026
A-Level Art at Istituto d'Arte di Forlì
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2008
BTec Art Jewellery & Design at Istituto d'Arte di Forlì
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2006
BTec Graphic Design at Istituto d'Arte di Forlì
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2004
BA (Hons) Game Art & Animation at SAE Institute London
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2026
Guitar & Composition Studies at RGA Milan
January 11, 2030 - March 19, 2026
Jewellery Design at Istituto d’Arte Forlì
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2008
BTEC Graphic Design at Istituto d’Arte Parma
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2004
BA (Hons) in Game Art & Animation at SAE Institute London
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2026
Guitar & Composition Studies at RG Milan
January 11, 2030 - April 6, 2026
BTEC Graphic Design at Istituto d'Arte Paolo Toschi, Parma
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2004

Qualifications

BTec in Art Jewellery and Design
September 9, 2005 - June 22, 2006
A Level Art
September 9, 2006 - June 22, 2008
BTEC Graphic Design
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2004

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Retail, Education, Professional Services, Gaming, Software & Internet, Manufacturing

Skills

Experience Level