- Develop interactive real-time architectural environments and visualization experiences in Unreal Engine for design communication and client-facing presentations.
- Lead character design and motion-capture animation workflows for digital experiences and visualization projects.
- Create and composite architectural visualization content, combining real-time 3D, animation, cinematography, lighting, editing, motion graphics, and visual effects.
- Develop immersive VR architectural experiences using Unreal Engine and head-mounted display workflows.
- Design and refine virtual-production pipelines for live and real-time productions.
- Collaborate with architects, designers, creative teams, and technical stakeholders to translate concepts into polished interactive and cinematic experiences.
Resume
James Preston Cardona
Senior Real-Time 3D Designer | Unreal Engine | Immersive Experiences | Virtual Production
Professional Summary
Senior multidisciplinary real-time 3D and digital experience designer with 20+ years of professional experience spanning Unreal Engine development, architectural visualization, immersive VR/AR, virtual production, character design, motion capture, UX/UI, full-stack development, motion graphics, broadcast production, and technical direction. Combines creative design, real-time technology, and production expertise to translate concepts into interactive environments, cinematic content, digital products, and client-facing experiences. Experienced leading projects and collaborating across design, architecture, production, and development teams.
Core Expertise
Unreal Engine
Real-Time 3D
Architectural Visualization
Environment / Level Design
Virtual Production
VR / AR
Character Design
Motion Capture
Cinematics
Lighting
Compositing
Visual Effects
UX / UI
Technical Direction
Project Management
Digital Asset Management
Tools & Technologies
3D / Real-Time
Unreal Engine, Blender, 3ds Max, Maya, ZBrush, Substance, Marvelous Designer, Twinmotion, Revit, Unity, Anima, Daz
VFX / Production
Nuke, After Effects, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Syntheyes, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Development
C++, C#, Python, JavaScript, Three.js, React, Angular, Java, PHP, SQL, MySQL, HTML5, CSS3, XML, Android Studio
Additional
Pro Tools, FL Studio
Accessibility / Compliance:
ADA, HIPAA
Professional Experience
- Directed digital design and technical production across interactive, mobile, VR, AR, animation, and commercial media projects.
- Managed client relationships, project planning, technical direction, contracts, and cross-functional production workflows.
- Led mobile VR / AR application design, development, and production oversight.
- Directed commercial content from concept and script through animation, cinematography, lighting, editing, and color correction.
- Combined creative direction and technical execution to deliver digital experiences across multiple platforms.
- Designed and developed digital products and interactive systems for Dallas Municipal Court, City Attorney’s Office, City Manager’s Office, Community Prosecution, Community Court, Dallas Love Field Airport, and Dallas Police Bodycam initiatives.
- Led UX / UI design and full-stack development for public-facing and internal digital applications.
- Researched, designed, and developed Municipal Court payment kiosk experiences, digital docket systems, and digital signage.
- Supported server, Active Directory, database, VMware, and network-security administration for digital systems and services.
- Designed and administered multimedia streaming infrastructure supporting multicast and unicast delivery.
- Produced documentary video, motion graphics, and digital media for City Attorney, Community Prosecution, Dallas Police, and Dallas City Council initiatives.
- Managed master-control and technical-directing functions for broadcast operations.
- Supported satellite linking, rebroadcasting, and live television workflows.
- Performed linear and non-linear broadcast editing, motion graphics, camera operation, and production support.
- Contributed to creative productions and commercial script development.
Education
University of Texas at Dallas
Bachelor of Arts and Technology,
Game Design — 2018
TechSkills
Microsoft Systems Engineer — 2009
El Paso Community College
Associate of Multimedia Production Technology,
Web Design — 2006