Work Bio
Todd Pickens ∙ Game Art & Design
toddpickens@gmail.com
I’m a veteran artist and designer with 11+ years in video game development and multiple shipped titles for Web, PC, X-Box, and PS2 platforms.
I’ve worked on and Shipped FPS, RTS, Action, Arcade, RPG, and Casual games.
I bring a lot of practical experience to my development efforts, and enjoy overcoming the challenges of game creation.
As a game maker and artist I have a particular passion for creating detailed immersive environments.
I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting projects, and like to find myself involved with every aspect of project development on some level, as experience has taught me that having a clear common vision and good team communication is essential in such a collaborative and creatively demanding business.
Work Experience:
Playdom, Inc.
2009 – Present, Eugene Oregon
∙ Lead Artist on Social City
Responsible for developing and maintaining the visual direction for Social City. Development of content, concept illustration and art guides, art direction, scheduling and management of junior artist, and review and approval of related content.
Independent Contract Artist
2007 – Present, Eugene Oregon
Recent Contract work:
Environment, avatars, effects, and GUI for Bad habit Software’s Wasteland Rally
Environment props for TRINE from Frozenbyte, Inc.
Environment concept and development for Villagers & Heroes from Mad Otter games
Character and prop design and development for GRUNTS :Skirmish from PushButton Labs.
Garage Games Inc.
2007 – 2008, Eugene Oregon
∙ Lead Artist on Fallen Empire: Legions
Art Direction, scheduling and management of junior artist, review and approval of related content. Level design and development, props, effects, character design, concept illustration and model texturing, HUD design and development, In-game menu design and development.
∙ Environment Lead on Think Tanks Reloaded
Level design and development, textures , props, and effects. Direction, scheduling, and management of junior artist.
∙ 3rd Party Consulting Art Direction for multiple external game teams.
Instruction on game art theory, design, and development for external development teams. To include color theory, level by level palette development, prop creation and use of shaders.
Independent Game Industry Contract Artist
2005 – 2007, Irvine California
∙ Modeler, Animator, Illustrator
Various Contract work, Illustration, Modeling and Animation.
Zono Inc.
1998 – 2005, CostaMesa Ca.
∙ Lead Environment Artist (Concept Artist & Contributing Designer)
Responsible for all aspects of environment design and development. Concept creation, asset development, task scheduling and management of junior artist, review and approval of related content. Additionally, I worked directly with the the code team to develop in-house art tools and created related tutorials for junior artist and remote contractors.
Responsible for character and environment concept art, the creation of style guides for the development team and story boards for in-house cinematics.
Collaboration with lead designer on various shipped titles.
Image Comics – Extreme Studios and Maximum Press
1996 – 1998, Anaheim Ca.
∙ Colorist
As a Colorist I worked on numerous titles, to include Avengelyne, Priest, Kid Supreme, PassOver, Blind Side and others. Collaborated with artist, inkers, and writers to achieve a consistent vision under a demanding monthly schedule.
Independent Contract Artist
1994 – 1996
∙ Concept Artist and Illustrator
Contract Artist/Illustrator for comic books and product design.
Space Gamer Magazine
1992 – 1994, Burbank, Ca.
∙ Art Director
As Art Director I worked closely with the editor, publisher and contributors to deliver a 98 page bi-monthly magazine. Responsible for magazine layout, paste up and illustration, management of art budget and contract artist.
Better Games
1990 – 1992, Burbank, Ca.
∙ Artist
Cover art and interior illustrations for multiple game and game manuals.
Industry Credits:
TRINE
Frozenbyte, Inc.
Villagers & Heroes
Mad Otter Games
GRUNTS: Skirmish
PushButonLabs
Fallen Empire: Legions
Garage Games Inc.
Think Tanks Reloaded
Garage Games Inc.
3rd Party Consulting Art Direction for multiple external game teams.
Garage Games Inc.
Aliens Versus Predator Extinction
Fox Interactive/EA
The Alamo
Activision Value
Battle for Troy
Valusoft
Crusades – Quest for Power
Activision Value
Everest
Riot Police
Rooks Revenge
ASAP Games
Pearl Harbor Zero Hour
Simon and Schuster
Metal Fatigue
Psygnosis
Extreme Rock Climbing
Creative Carnage (Sub Contract)
Extreme Mountain Biking
Creative Carnage (Sub Contract)
Barony
Better Games
Era Ten
Better Games
Stuff O’ Legends
Better Games
Avengers of Justice
Better Games
Arabian Sea Tales
Better Games
Where Fools Fear to Tread
Better Games
Primary Skills & Experience:
Art Direction, management, mentoring and guidance of junior artist.
3D and 2D Level, Prop, and Environment design and creation, Character Modeling, Texturing, and Animation.
UI, HUD, and Menu Design and Development.
Character, Prop, and Environment Concepts Illustration and Production Painting.
Story Board Illustration.
