Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Additional Information
Timeline
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JOEL THOMAS

Round Rock,TX

Summary

Versatile artist with expertise in digital illustration, painting, and sculpting. Strong foundation in conceptual development and a commitment to delivering visually compelling work. Collaborative team player with a proven ability to achieve project goals and enhance client satisfaction through meticulous attention to detail and creative problem-solving.

Overview

33
33
years of professional experience

Work History

Freelance Illustrator

JoelDrawsIt
01.1992 - Current
  • Freelance illustrator delivering custom illustrations through collaborative project planning and execution. Skilled in creating visually compelling artwork that effectively supports client branding and marketing goals.

Principal Artist

Zynga
03.2015 - 09.2019
  • Led likeness control initiatives for high-profile licensed projects, including 'Wizard of Oz: Slots,' 'Willy Wonka: Slots,' and 'The Princess Bride: Slots,' ensuring brand integrity and adherence to licensor guidelines (Warner Bros.) resulting in a near perfect approval rate.
  • Maintained exceptional attention to detail in character design and art direction, consistently achieving first-pass approvals from Warner Bros.
    Collaborated remotely with New York Studios' Creative Team to develop and execute the Crosswords With Friends mascot, fostering cohesive brand representation through effective communication.
  • Conducted comprehensive training sessions in game-specific portrait techniques, enhancing the art team's skill set and driving continuous improvement.

Illustrator III

Everi
07.2013 - 03.2015
  • Served as Sole Illustrator and Animator for multiple mechanical and video slot machine game projects.
  • Consistently produced high-quality artwork within strict deadlines.
  • Delivered engaging visual content that enhanced player engagement and contributed to game success.
  • Participated in collaborative brainstorming sessions to generate innovative concepts for new projects and marketing campaigns.

Senior Artist

Zynga
10.2010 - 06.2013
  • Executed promotional and production assets for the social/lifestyle game "The Ville."
  • Contributed to the Slots Division by enhancing art and design.
  • Met all studio deadlines through effective task prioritization and process optimization.
  • Developed graphics and content for company social media campaigns.

Concept Artist

Electric Bat Interactive
02.2009 - 07.2010
  • Provided concept art and final art for Webwars: Weblings and Weblords.
  • Brainstormed different ideas and images for a new gaming concept.
  • Assisted Art Director in defining and maintaining the overall artistic vision of projects.

Education

Certification - Alias/Wavefront Level 1

Vancouver Film School
Vancouver, B.C.
12.1996

Master of Arts - Illustration

Savannah College of Art And Design
Savannah
08.1994

Certification - Sculpture

University of Georgia in Athens
Cortona, Italy
12.1989

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Sculpture

Auburn University
Auburn, AL
08.1988

Skills

  • Digital illustration
  • Logo creation
  • Concept Art
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Procreate
  • Mentoring Artists
  • Graphic design
  • Illustration styles

Additional Information

Gained invaluable industry experience as Transportation production assistant on the Alan Parker film 'Mississippi Burning.', Tasked as rotating driver for acclaimed actors Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, and Francis McDormand., Assisted Oscar-winning Makeup Artist David Craig Forrest on a large-scale Civil Rights March production scene.

Timeline

Principal Artist

Zynga
03.2015 - 09.2019

Illustrator III

Everi
07.2013 - 03.2015

Senior Artist

Zynga
10.2010 - 06.2013

Concept Artist

Electric Bat Interactive
02.2009 - 07.2010

Freelance Illustrator

JoelDrawsIt
01.1992 - Current

Certification - Alias/Wavefront Level 1

Vancouver Film School

Master of Arts - Illustration

Savannah College of Art And Design

Certification - Sculpture

University of Georgia in Athens

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Sculpture

Auburn University

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