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Technical artist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Paige Williams,
Paige Williams
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical technical artist skills. We ranked the top skills for technical artists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.8% of technical artist resumes contained python as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a technical artist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 technical artist skills for your resume and career

1. Python

Python is a widely-known programming language. It is an object-oriented and all-purpose, coding language that can be used for software development as well as web development.

Here's how technical artists use python:
  • Created scripts and tools using C# and Python.
  • Created several Python scripts for Animators.

2. Animation

Here's how technical artists use animation:
  • Designed, developed and supported software tools for animation production pipeline.
  • Created life-like character animation for content.

3. C++

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that is used to create high-performing applications. It was invented as an extension to the C language. C++ lets the programmer have a high level of domination over memory and system resources. C++ is an object-oriented language that helps you implement real-time issues based on different data functions

Here's how technical artists use c++:
  • Implemented and debugged code in large code base with ActionScript & C++.
  • Developed tools for artists and instructional designers to speed up workflows using Visual Studio C++ and C#.

4. Unity

Unity is a universal power word that has the same meaning of strength for everyone, regardless of race, nationality, or gender. It connotes equality, togetherness or oneness, and synchronized thinking and opinions to ultimately achieve a specific goal or mission.

Here's how technical artists use unity:
  • Provided key insight into Unity technology and capabilities.
  • Tasked with showing new employees and volunteers through Skype on how to operate company internal tools in Unity for software creation.

5. MEL

Here's how technical artists use mel:
  • Created tools to assist all Maya dependant departments in creation of pipeline ready assets using MEL.
  • Streamlined the production process through the creation of MEL scripts and Photoshop batch processes.

6. Game Development

Here's how technical artists use game development:
  • Experience with rigging characters such as biped, quadruped, creatures, facial rigs, and robotics for game development.
  • Assisted in the creation, development, maintenance of game production pipelines for all areas of game development.

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7. Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine refers to a software framework responsible for several well-known video games, such as Fortnite, Borderlands 3, and Hellblade. This software excels in 3D rendering and realistic animation for video games, making it one of the most popular game engines for game developers today. This framework can also be used to develop 3D renderings of still spaces, such as potential apartment furnishings and completed construction sites.

Here's how technical artists use unreal engine:
  • Prepared and imported characters and animations in Unreal Engine.
  • Develop and integrate content for Unreal Engine 4.

8. AAA

American Automobile Association, commonly pronounced as AAA or triple A, is an organization in North America. AAA is a privately held non-profit driven public party affiliation and administration association with more than 60 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA offers types of assistance to its individuals, including emergency aide.

Here's how technical artists use aaa:
  • Worked as a character technical artist, on 3 different AAA projects.

9. VFX

Visual effects or, as it is known more often, VFX is a term used to describe the special imagery as well as the process of creating and applying said effects onto a visual piece of media, such as a photograph, a video, or a film. VFX is used in filmmaking to replace activities, actions, settings, objects, and animals that would otherwise be too expensive or dangerous or otherwise difficult to work with, create, or use.

Here's how technical artists use vfx:
  • Developed and supervised a variety of projects ranging from internal demonstration videos to VFX supervising commercial spots.
  • Showcased great communication, and ability to complete shots as directed by Character FX supervisor and VFX supervisor.

10. VR

Here's how technical artists use vr:
  • Developed assets in Unreal 4 for undisclosed VR title (FX, rigs, animations, models, blueprints)
  • Created an animated content for pilot Unreal | VR project.

11. Game Engine

A game engine is a type of game framework where a 3D Artist creates animation, graphics, three-dimensional models, visual effects, and models with special effects using computer software and program.

Here's how technical artists use game engine:
  • Create and adapt art assets for the game and establish a pipeline to transfer them to the game engine.
  • Created numerous smaller C# scripts to deal with file system and game engine deficiencies.

12. Technical Art

Here's how technical artists use technical art:
  • Handled various technical art tasks, including modeling, UV, textures, particle systems.
  • Worked daily on fabric repeats & coordinating embroideries, creating technical art for manufacturing.

13. UI

Here's how technical artists use ui:
  • Maintain consistent UI and construct assets in a fast-paced environment and work on multiple projects simultaneously across all of Apple devices.
  • Filled numerous roles as needed from UI & FX, to environment art, implementation, and tool authoring.

14. ZBrush

Here's how technical artists use zbrush:
  • Modeled and textured (human and robot) with zbrush, Maya, and Mari.
  • Utilized Photoshop and Zbrush for texture mapping and normal mapping.

15. Particle Systems

Here's how technical artists use particle systems:
  • Create particle systems, 3D assets and animate characters for use on the mobile platforms
  • Develop particle systems and texture sheets for game celebrations and triggered events.
top-skills

What skills help Technical Artists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on technical artist resumes?

Paige Williams

Academic Dean, Art Academy of Cincinnati

The skills that stand out on artist resumes are skills that distinguish them from other applicants. Potential employers are looking for individuals whose resumes provide evidence of exploration, risk-taking, and the ability to adapt. These traits are evidenced through experiences with internships, study abroad, and other real-world experiences such as client-based projects, exhibitions, performances, and readings in public spaces. Art school is experiential. Students aren't just observing but doing while they are in school. The ability to learn and adapt to new technology is also important. Art students don't just learn but utilize technological skills with purpose in their own creative work.

What soft skills should all technical artists possess?

Paige Williams

Academic Dean, Art Academy of Cincinnati

The World Economic Forum has identified the four most important skills that ALL students graduating from college in the 21st century will need to be successful. These are the same skills that artists, designers, and creative writers explore through 21st Century Art Education at the Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC): Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication. 21st Century creatives will need to understand how to explore solutions to complex problems, think outside of the box, work with others, and effectively articulate their ideas. At the Art Academy of Cincinnati, our students in first-year experience engage in courses whose focus is communication, collaboration, ideation, research, and discovery from day one.

What hard/technical skills are most important for technical artists?

Paige Williams

Academic Dean, Art Academy of Cincinnati

Students entering the creative workplace need the visual, verbal, and written vocabulary to articulate their ideas and provide meaningful and constructive criticism. Students at the AAC learn criticism methods and engage in writing across the curriculum in every studio and academic course. A rigorous capstone experience requires that students write a ten-to-twelve-page thesis that thoroughly explains what they make (subject), how they make it (form), and why it matters (content). They then are required to present their ideas in a public forum.

Learning the latest technological advances and adapting as technology evolves is important for every student entering the workforce.

What technical artist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Nathaniel Foley

Assistant Professor of Art & Design, University of Indianapolis

As we continue to grapple with technology and its impact on society, artists will continue to find ways to use it creatively, so there will be an increase in rapid prototyping, AI, and other digital areas. Additionally, fine art-based traditions will continue to evolve and remain important as a foundation to support all technological explorations and research. The artist's toolbox will always be expanding and supported by their training and ability to think, make, take risks and communicate.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about technical artist

List of technical artist skills to add to your resume

Technical artist skills

The most important skills for a technical artist resume and required skills for a technical artist to have include:

  • Python
  • Animation
  • C++
  • Unity
  • MEL
  • Game Development
  • Unreal Engine
  • AAA
  • VFX
  • VR
  • Game Engine
  • Technical Art
  • UI
  • ZBrush
  • Particle Systems
  • Asset Creation
  • Art Assets
  • Production Pipeline
  • JavaScript
  • PC
  • Art Pipeline
  • Prototyping
  • Facebook
  • FX
  • Autodesk
  • Technical Issues
  • Lua
  • CG
  • Technical Support
  • Motion Capture
  • Unity3D
  • UV
  • Augmented Reality
  • User Interface
  • Proprietary Tools
  • PS4
  • Game Assets
  • Maxscript
  • CAD
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • QA
  • Motionbuilder
  • XML

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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