MIKE HALES - RESUME

Illustrator, 3d modeler, Designer, Concept Artist

hello@mikehalesart.com - @ekimtiki - LinkedIn

My journey started with creating pixel art for mobile games back in 2001 for Danger, Inc. on their new HipTop flip phone, and then onto the T-Mobile SideKick series. Along the way, I self published my own comics and illustrated posters for local San Francisco bands.

I am currently co-designing a boardgame and learning 3d modeling. I seek to work on future projects that utilize and integrate my various disciplines.

Tech skills:

Blender, Procreate, Adobe Suite apps like Photoshop and Illustrator, DaVinci Resolve, Github, Trello, Sketch, Discord, Zoom, Slack

Soft skills:

Direct communicator, collaborative spirit, team oriented, quick learner

Professional Experience:

IGORLABS: Game Designer, Illustrator, 3d modeler 2020 - Current

  • Co-Designed a dungeon crawling boardgame for up to 4 players

  • Prototyping and iterating on new designs.

  • Ran several local playtests with other designers.

  • Created illustrations for a box cover, tiles, and progress sheet.

  • Created 3d assets for printing including: 2 pirate ships, cannons, 4 distinct user pieces and a flipping coin.

PEETS COFFEE: Barista 2016-2020

  • Prepared and served Drinks for over +300 daily customers

  • Set up in-house marketing displays for upcoming product promotions

  • Regularly cleaned espresso and coffee machines, surfaces.

  • My goal was to learn how to better communicate and manage multiple tasks in a stressful environment.

IMVU: Contract Artist Aug 2016 - Nov 2016

  • Created new icon sets for avatar expressions used in the UI of IMVU service.

  • Coordinated with team members using Trello to implement design decisions.

STRATOLAB GAMES: Lead Artist, Illustrator 2013 - 2014

  • Worked on Electropocalypse (iOS, PC), a game about electricity.

  • Responsible for creating 2d sprites of electronic components

  • Developed Characters, storyboards, and final graphics for in-game comic book story.

  • UI elements like buttons, backgrounds, and character profiles

  • Designed promotional material for festivals

SIFTEO, INC: Lead Artist 2011 - 2013

  • Worked on a variety of Projects for a unique, interactive, cube-shaped gaming system including: Cube Buddies, Chroma Splash, Word Caravan, and TMNT Ninja Slide for Nickelodeon.

  • Responsible for character design, storyboards, character sprites and animation.

  • A variety of marketing materials using characters I designed.

  • User Experience mockups for gameplay

TRIBAL GAMES: Lead Artist 2008 - 2011

  • Worked on various titles for branding opportunities including: The Mighty Decider, and Squirrel Warz!

  • I was responsible for character design, 2d sprite animations, UI menu and stat graphics,

  • Worked on User Flow and design documentation

  • Designed branding for Tribal Games including a logo and other marketing materials.

DANGER, INC: 2d artist 2002 – 2007

  • Worked on a variety of games for the Classic Danger HipTop and the T-Mobile Sidekick series including: Bob, Bobs Journey 1 and 2, Cheese Racer, Pump Jack, Menace, LED Football, Peg Solitaire, RowBots, Push, Reversi 1 and 2, Ace It, Planet Lander, Cheese Racer.

  • Character development from sketches to final pixel implementation

  • Illustrations for title screens and interstitial story graphics

  • In game assets including tilemaps, and sprite animation

  • UI elements such as icons, unique fonts and alert dialogs

Education:

Academy Of Art University - BFA in Illustration