3D Generalist Production
Modeling, sculpting, retopology, UV mapping, texture baking, PBR texturing, shading, material creation, props, backgrounds, character presentation and final asset polish.
Haiu Nicolae
Senior 3D Generalist & Technical Artist
Real-time characters built from art to performance.
200+ expression and special-action blends for real-time face tracking in Animaze.
Character production
Modeling, PBR materials, rigging support and engine integration
Animaze
Holotech Studios and independent projects through VertexFam Studio
Technical art
Facial tracking, hand tracking, asset debugging and optimization
Profile
From character design to live performance
I'm a Bucharest-based 3D artist with a background in fine art. I build characters that hold up in live use, with attention to facial readability, deformation and performance.
I worked on Animaze at Holotech Studios and later contributed to Animaze projects through VertexFam Studio. My work includes facial animation, modular customization and diagnosing rigging, tracking and performance issues with artists and engineers.
Skills
What I can do on a production team
Real-Time Avatars
Animaze avatar production, ARKit and Animaze animation standards, expression blends, real-time readability, customization systems, physics integration feedback and platform-specific optimization.
Technical Art
Debugging, QA, animation testing, hand-tracking pipeline work, shader-based avatar behavior, custom tool thinking, documentation and collaboration with engineers.
AI Workflow
Practical AI-assisted production beyond image generation: prompt systems, reference analysis, visual direction, ideation, cleanup planning, automation support, text/code helpers, asset review, documentation drafts and faster iteration loops for 3D, design, technical problem solving and presentation.
Visual Communication
Graphic design, DTP, campaign assets, posters, banners, social visuals, branding, video/promo graphics and consistent identity systems for product launches.
Problem Solving
Strong task understanding, fast technical diagnosis, clear feedback, process cleanup, artist support and custom workflow improvements that help teams move faster.
Tools & Workflows
Production Tools
Maya
ZBrush
Substance Painter
Photoshop
Illustrator
After Effects
InDesign
Marvelous Designer
Animaze
Unreal Engine
Blender
Unity
AI-Assisted Tools & Automation
I use AI to build and refine small tools for my 3D workflow. I define what each tool needs to do, test it on real assets, and refine it until it saves time in production.
Experience
Professional work history
Present
Independent 3D Generalist & Technical Artist
VertexFam Studio
After Holotech, I broadened my role at VertexFam Studio to cover client projects from brief to delivery. As part of the studio team, I produce real-time characters, avatars, props and environment assets, including work for Animaze.
- 3D production. Take assets from sculpting and modeling through retopology, UVs and PBR materials, balancing visual quality with real-time performance.
- Technical art and engine integration. Adapt assets to platform constraints, support rigging, facial expressions and tracking, and diagnose deformation, material and performance issues in-engine.
- Production tools and automation. Identify repetitive steps, define what a tool needs to do, then build it with AI assistance and refine it by testing on real assets.
- Client delivery. Translate briefs into production tasks, prepare estimates, coordinate feedback and revisions with the team, and prepare assets for final delivery.
Aug 2018 - Dec 2023
Senior 3D Artist / Generalist
Holotech Studios, Inc. / Animaze - Bucharest
Created high-quality real-time assets including avatars, props and backgrounds, covering the full art pipeline: modeling, UVs, texturing, shading, materials, rigging support, skinning support, animations, physics, VFX-related asset work, optimization, problem solving and QA.
- Developed and maintained avatar animation sets across Animaze and ARKit-style standards, including more than 200 expression and special-action animation blends optimized for real-time face tracking.
- Collaborated with engineers on the Character Creator project, helping define modular avatar customization for bodies, clothing, colors, proportions and facial/body features.
- Explored real-time character expressivity, including animation and shader-based techniques for more readable emotional reactions and unusual avatar behavior.
- Worked on physics system testing and integration feedback for avatars and props, including simplifying complex setup ideas into reusable artist/community workflows.
- Helped develop and test hand-tracking animation workflows, from pose/animation decisions to blending, calibration, visual style and pipeline improvements.
- Debugged and quality-checked community-sourced 3D models, identifying asset, animation, rigging and performance issues and helping artists reach Animaze release standards.
- Took over graphic design responsibilities after team restructuring, creating promotional visuals for launches, Steam and other product surfaces while keeping the brand identity consistent.
Jan 2016 - Apr 2017
Creative Director
4ACEPR - Bucharest / Ploiesti
Developed creative concepts, branding directions and visual strategies for clients across security, IT, administration and event communication. Produced print and digital materials including advertisements, brochures, leaflets, posters, catalogs, invitations, banners and newsletters.
Mar 2015 - May 2016
Graphic Designer
Marketing Matters SRL / Exclusive for Lenovo Romania - Bucharest
Created print, digital, branding and promotional assets for Lenovo Romania-related campaigns, including brochures, posters, catalogs, newsletters, in-store promotion, stands, product displays, packaging-related visuals, outdoor campaigns and TV spot support.
Jan 2011 - Oct 2014
Graphic Designer
Armonita Foundation - Bucharest
Designed print and digital communication materials including advertisements, brochures, leaflets, posters, catalogs, invitations, static/dynamic banners and newsletters.
Work
Selected characters and avatars
Explore commercial character work, Animaze avatars and production case studies at VertexFam.
Fine art foundation
Not only technical. Built on art.
My professional 3D work is grounded in a fine-art background. I studied Graphic Arts at UNARTE in Bucharest and have exhibited fine-art work internationally, including selections connected to London Biennale, Chianciano Biennale, Spoleto International Festival of Art, Russian Design Week, Luxembourg Art Prize and Romanian graphics exhibitions.
That background matters in production. It improves how I read silhouette, gesture, form, composition, material, color, character appeal and visual storytelling before a model ever reaches a technical checklist.
Master of Arts, Graphic Arts
UNARTE, Bucharest - 2012 / 2014
Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Arts
UNARTE, Bucharest - 2012
Graphic Arts Department
UNARTE, Bucharest - 2008 / 2011
