About Me
Hello I am Jacob James, currently a 3D art and Engines Lecturer. This page gives a breakdown of me and my skills and experience beyond that seen in my Portfolio. Thanks for visiting and please feel free to get in touch.
My Story
I’m Jacob James, a passionate 3D Artist and Game Developer with a strong foundation in character modeling, environment design, and game engine integration. With nearly a decade of experience in industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, and Unreal Engine, I specialize in crafting high-quality assets for video games, blending technical expertise with artistic vision.
Over the last year I have helped build a grassroots, three-person indie studio, Guaranteed Games as the Co-Founder and Lead Developer. Balancing game development with my full-time work in education, I have been responsible for developing core mechanics and implementing systems within Unreal Engine for our first title, Isle of Harvest. One of our key goals at Guaranteed Games is to bridge the gap between education and industry, offering services and support to students that aren’t currently available within the traditional games sector. We are committed to working closely with education to ensure that the future of game development is brighter and more accessible.
Alongside my work in game development, I have spent the past four years sharing my skills and passion for games design with the next generation of game designers as a 3D Art & Engines Lecturer at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. I teach 3D modeling, sculpting, and programming (both Unreal Engine Blueprint and C++) from Level 3 up to Level 5, meaning I work with students at both college and university levels. My focus is on equipping students with the practical and technical skills they need to succeed in the games industry.
Previously, I contributed to Neon Blitz at Nexus Studios, handling asset creation and optimization for mobile platforms. I’ve also participated in game jams such as Jamfuser and Epic Mega Jam, where I’ve created fully rigged and textured character assets under tight deadlines.
Beyond game development, I enjoy content creation, streaming on Twitch, and producing videos for YouTube, where I engage with a wider audience and refine my skills in digital storytelling.
I’m always open to new opportunities in the games and digital industries, where I can push creative boundaries and contribute to innovative projects.
Check out my portfolio at ArtStation and get in touch at jacobjames@jjames3D.com.
My Experience
Indie Game Developer – Programmer, Designer & Project Manager
Isle of Harvest (2024 - Present)
Co-founded an indie studio and led development on Isle of Harvest, designing core gameplay mechanics and implemented key programming systems through to release.
3D Art & Engines Lecturer
South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (2021 - Present)
Teach 3D modelling, texturing, and game engine implementation (Levels 2-5).
Develop curriculum materials using industry-standard tools like Maya, ZBrush, and Unreal Engine.
Manage and mentor students on game projects, preparing them for industry roles.
General Artist
Nexus Studios – SGS College (2018 - 2019)
Sole artist on Neon Blitz, handling asset creation, texturing, and mobile optimization.
Staffordshire University (Student) Lead Character Artist & Producer
Spectre Collector – University Collaborative Project
Managed a 24-person team, overseeing development schedules and project direction.
Led character art production, ensuring consistency and quality.
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Game Jam & Industry Projects
Helped Manage Global Games Jam Centre 2025, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College WISE Campus.
Jamfuser 2020 – Created a fully rigged low-poly character.
Epic Mega Jam 2020 – Sculpted, baked, and textured a character in 24 hours.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.