Kenji Kawabata
Visual Artist
Hiroshima, Japan
Tools: Maya/Blender/ZBrush/SubstancePainter/
MarvelousDesigner/UnrealEngine4
Email: kenji_kawabata@octgram.art
1989年生まれ、広島県広島市在住。
ゲームの3DCGアーティストとして10年以上国内外で活躍。「龍が如く」「PALWORLD」「FARCRY」「WWE2K」など、多数の有名タイトルに携わる。
2021年、広島移住とフリーランス独立を機に、ゲーム開発、バーチャルヒューマン制作、映像制作など活動の幅を広げる。
A Bit About Me
I am a Character Artist who has worked at five studios in the video game industry for some 10+ years. My development experience ranges from realistic styles in major studios like the "WWE2K" series, "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" series, and "FARCRY6," to semi-realistic styles in indie studios like "PAL WORLD." And also collaborate with Technical Artists to improve the character art pipeline, am in charge of assets quality control with in-house/external artists, and suggest art direction.
Moreover, I am goal-oriented. I devote my best to every aspect of my life and I have the aptitude for learning new techniques and best practices. It is my pleasure to realize my own growth in that and contribute to content creation strongly connected to user satisfaction.
Work Experience
Aug. 2021 - Present
Octgram
Freelance Visual Artist
-Video game development
-Making music videos for Music Artists
-3D modeling for Art Toys
-Working as a Linguistic Tester for 3D software
Experienced Projects as a Freelance
Apr. 2016 - Sep. 2017
SEGA Games Co., Ltd.,
Character Artist
龍が如くプロジェクトの3Dキャラクター制作業務
- Experience working on 3 projects(Yakuza6, Yakuza Kiwami2, Judge Eyes) as a Character Artist with the “Yakuza” team
- Created high and low poly models for the main character's face, hair, and clothing, and set up with Maya
- Generated game models from photo scans of various Japanese celebrities
- Consistently delivered models ahead of schedule
↑My head-scanned character is featured in the "JusdgeEyes" project.
私の頭をスキャンしたキャラクターが"JusdgeEyes"に登場しています。
Jun. 2018 - May. 2019
UBISOFT TORONTO
Character Artist
FARCRY6プロジェクトの3Dキャラクター制作業務
Worked on FAR CRY 6 project.
- Created Facial Shape Models for Animation
- Created Clothing Models from both Scan data and from Scratch
Aug. 2019 - Aug. 2021
SUPERTRICK GAMES, Inc.
Character Artist
Let it die: Death Verseプロジェクトの3Dキャラクター制作業務
Worked on a DEATHVERSE: LET IT DIE
-Character creation(head/ clothing/ creature / props)
-Works closely with Technical Artists to develop new or improve upon old technologies to improve character model quality
-Provide clear and concise written feedback of submissions from external art teams
Lead Character Artist
3Dキャラクター制作・リード業務
Working on a "PAL WORLD" project as a Lead 3D Character Artist who is responsible for managing and developing the character artist team.
-Content creation of characters across all areas of the game as defined together with the Art Director, which sets the industry-leading standard for the team and the project.
-Setting up and maintaining character production pipelines
-Balance quality and efficiency of work to gain the best possible results within the given time frame and technical constraints
Apr. 2022 - May. 2023
Apr. 2012 - Mar. 2016
Yuke's Co., Ltd.,
3D Modeler
コンシューマゲーム・遊技機プロジェクトの３Dモデリング業務
- Worked on 3 major projects as a character modeler with the “WWE2K” team
- Created low poly models for the character’s face, hair, and clothing, and set up with 3ds max
- Generated game models from photo scans of various WWE wrestlers
- Set muscle rig, cloth simulation with inhouse tools
- Lead the audience modeling team
- Acted as a key member of the effect design team for “Pacific Rim”
Oct. 2023 - June. 2024
Character Artist
Worked on Virtual Human related projects.
3Dキャラクター制作 バーチャルタレント
Dec. 2024 - Current
3D Artist
インディータイトルの3Dアート全般
Leading end-to-end 3D art production with focus on characters, environment and prop creation while maintaining high visual quality standards through Unity HDRP.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drive overall 3D art direction and production pipeline
- Oversee creation and optimization of 3D assets
- Direct visual implementation (lighting, materials, post-processing)
- Collaborate with the engineering team for technical solutions
Tools: Unity HDRP, Maya/Blender, Substance Designer/Painter