Jonathon Ruland
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.

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Skills

Environment DesignShading3D ModelingDigital SculptingEnvironment ModelingLightingLow-poly ModelingTexturingUV MappingGame DesignGame DevelopmentHigh-poly ModelingWorld BuildingProject ManagementPBR TexturingTexture Baking

Software proficiency

3ds Max
3ds Max
Maya
Maya
Photoshop
Photoshop
Substance 3D Painter
Substance 3D Painter
Substance 3D Designer
Substance 3D Designer
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine
ZBrush
ZBrush
Unity
Unity

Reel

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
    • Board & Card Games
      The Guardians: Explore
    • Year
      2016
    • Role
      Game Designer, Producer, Art Director, Owner
    • Company
      Reihon Games LLC
    • Video Game
      Star Wars: The Old Republic - Knights of the Fallen Empire
    • Year
      2015
    • Role
      Environment Artist
    • Company
      Bioware
    • Video Game
      Star Wars: The Old Republic - Shadow of Revan
    • Year
      2014
    • Role
      Environment Artist
    • Company
      Bioware
    • Video Game
      Star Wars: The Old Republic - Galactic Strongholds
    • Year
      2014
    • Role
      Environment Artist
    • Company
      Bioware
    • Video Game
      Star Wars: The Old Republic - Galactic Starfighter
    • Year
      2013
    • Role
      Environment Artist
    • Company
      Bioware
    • Video Game
      Star Wars: The Old Republic - Rise of the Hutt Cartel
    • Year
      2013
    • Role
      Environment Artist
    • Company
      Bioware
    • Video Game
      Captain America: Super Soldier
    • Year
      2011
    • Role
      Cinematic Environment Artist
    • Company
      Pendulum Studios
    • Video Game
      Thor: God of Thunder
    • Year
      2011
    • Role
      Cinematic Environment Artist
    • Company
      Pendulum Studios

Experience

  • Senior Environment Artist at Believer
    Los Angeles, US
    April 2024 - Present

  • Senior Dungeon Artist at Blizzard Entertainment
    Irvine
    May 2020 - May 2024

  • Environment Artist at Naughty Dog
    Santa Monica, United States of America
    April 2018 - April 2020

  • 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
    January 2011 - June 2011

    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.