Jonathon Ruland
Senior Environment Artist at Believer
Irvine, United States
Summary
Environment Artist with 17+ years of experience in AAA game development, credited on 8 shipped titles. I specialize in world-building, visual storytelling, and real-time environment art, with deep expertise in modeling, lighting, and scene composition. My work bridges disciplines—collaborating closely with design, engineering, and narrative teams to build immersive, emotionally resonant spaces. Passionate about visual storytelling and team leadership, I focus on creating impactful experiences while mentoring others and helping shape studio culture.
Skills
Environment DesignShading3D ModelingDigital SculptingEnvironment ModelingLightingLow-poly ModelingTexturingUV MappingGame DesignGame DevelopmentHigh-poly ModelingWorld BuildingProject ManagementPBR TexturingTexture Baking
Software proficiency

3ds Max

Maya

Photoshop

Substance 3D Painter

Substance 3D Designer

Unreal Engine

ZBrush

Unity
Productions
Video Game
Diablo 4
Year
2023
Role
Senior Dungeon Artist
Company
Blizzard
Video Game
Last of Us 2
Year
2020
Role
Environment Artist
Company
Naughty Dog
Video Game
Shadow of the Colossus
Year
2018
Role
Environment Artist
Company
Bluepoint Games
Experience
Senior Environment Artist at Believer
Los Angeles, US
Senior Dungeon Artist at Blizzard Entertainment
Irvine
Environment Artist at Naughty Dog
Santa Monica, United States of America
Environment Artist at Bluepoint Games
Austin, United States of America
November 2016 - October 2017
Responsible for world building, prop modeling/texturing, and proprietary collision data creation.
Environment Artist at Bioware
Austin, United States of America
January 2012 - January 2016
Model, texture, world building with HeroBlade, manage outsourcers, work with designers, and writers in a fast paced AAA production pipeline.
Owner at Reihon Games LLC
Austin, United States of America
August 2013 - November 2016
Oversee the creation of a high quality board game, The Guardians: Explore. Market and run a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Environment Artist at Pendulum Studios
San Diego, United States of America
Model and texture assets, shade, light, and create sky effects for game cinematics.
Game Artist and Game Designer at Perblue
Madison, United States of America
January 2008 - March 2009
Pioneered mobile gps role playing game.