Ben Black

Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

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Summary

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Rockstar

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Top School

Ben Black is a multidisciplinary technical artist and full-stack developer with a decade-plus background in 3D content creation and six years of focused software engineering experience, most recently contributing to the open-source Open 3D Engine (O3DE). He blends graphic design roots and motion experience with production-grade pipeline tooling—authoring asset automation, Maya integrations, and material handling that supported hundreds of artists and tens of thousands of assets. His career spans freelance work for major brands and studio projects through senior roles at Amazon and Astrid Entertainment, giving him a rare combination of creative direction, hands-on modeling/FX, and systems-level scripting. Comfortable at the intersection of art and engineering, he leverages visual communication sensibilities to shape usable tools and polished 3D scenes for games and simulations. An understated strength is his ability to translate artist workflows into robust automated processes that scale across teams and continents.

6 years of coding experience

13 years of employment as a software developer

Extension, Printmaking, Surface Design, Extension, Printmaking, Surface Design at ArtCenter College of Design

Matte Painting, Rigging, Digital Sculpting, RealFlow, 3d Modeling, Compositing, Matte Painting, Rigging, Digital Sculpting, RealFlow, 3d Modeling, Compositing at Gnomon School of Visual Effects

BFA, Graphic Design, BFA, Graphic Design at Western Michigan University

Github Skills (11)

maya10

graphics-engine10

3d-graphics10

game-development10

game-engine10

3d-engine10

python9

animation9

fbx9

c-language8

cprogramming-language8

Programming languages (3)

C++HTMLPython

Github contributions (5)

o3de/o3de

Dec 2021 - Nov 2022

Open 3D Engine (O3DE) is an Apache 2.0-licensed multi-platform 3D engine that enables developers and content creators to build AAA games, cinema-quality 3D worlds, and high-fidelity simulations without any fees or commercial obligations.

Role in this project:

Full-stack Developer

Contributions:43 reviews, 13 commits, 16 PRs in 11 months

Contributions summary:Ben's primary contribution focused on updating and integrating 3D model assets within the O3DE engine, specifically the Sponza model. They made numerous revisions to the Sponza scene, including file updates (.ma, .fbx, textures), and additions for automated testing. The user also modified Maya project settings and environment variables, contributing to the tool's integration within the O3DE ecosystem. Additionally, the user updated DCCsi atomic material handling.

3d3d-engine3d-graphics-engine3d-graphicsanimation

benblack75/houdiniUtils

Feb 2024 - Mar 2024

Houdini workshop utiliites

Contributions:8 PRs, 6 pushes, 6 branches in 13 days

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