LEIF EKELUND : ARTIST
 
I have 12+ years experience in the gaming industry, mostly in mobile games. Currently, I work as a 3D artist  / Illustrator / UI artist at VGW - US (Virtual Gaming Worlds) in downtown San Francisco. VGW is an Australian based company that specializes in developing technology and games into a rapidly growing social / mobile casino industry. In 2014, I worked as a 3D Character Artist for PixelGun Studios in San Rafael, CA. AAA titles include WWE2K15 and NBA2k15 for Playstation and XBOX consoles. Prior to that I worked for Supertales Inc as the Lead Modeler / Character artist on the app MashFX. (9/13 to 3/14)( http://www.mashfx.com ) My duties included concept renderings as well as modeling / texturing 3D game ready models. In early 2013, I worked on a commercial project as a digital matte painter at the visual effects studio, Spypost, in downtown San Francisco. My tasks primarily included digital painting in Photoshop and 3D projection in Maya.  Prior to that, I worked as a Concept Artist / 3D Generalist at SiXiTs Studios in Novato, CA.  SiXiTs was a gaming company focusing on iOS / Android apps, as well as Facebook, and Mobile games. Tasks included concept renderings as well as modeling and texturing 3D game ready models. (Nov 2011 - December 2012)
 
Originally from Cape Elizabeth, Maine, I am a 2010 graduate of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco with a Master's Degree in Visual Effects with a focus in Digital Matte painting and environments. At the Academy, I studied and practiced the pipelines to creating industry standard essentials to film / gaming pre-visualization and post production. 
 
In 2004, I graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor's degree in Fine Art and a minor in Art History. Before coming to San Francisco, I focused on traditional art, sold commissioned paintings and illustrations in the New England area. While at the University of Vermont, I worked in the Athletics Department designing all of the sports brochures, program guides, and other athletic based graphic materials. Before transferring to Vermont, I began my college career at Northeastern University in Boston focusing on Animation.  Since moving to San Francisco in 2004, more design opportunities developed at the Academy of Art University.
 
While pursuing  an artistic career, I have always had an equal passion for athletics. In 2007, the school announced the launch of a new intercollegiate athletics program. The first time in the school's 80 year history. Urban Knights was named the official mascot for the school, but they did not have a logo. My design of the 'Lion Shield' was selected as the top design and is now the school's athletics logo. 
 
 
 
 
 
ATHLETICS
 
 
In 2008, I was named the first Head Baseball Coach for the Academy of Art University. I spent time as an Independent Professional Minor League Baseball Player with the Golden Baseball League's Surprise (AZ) Fightin' Falcons (2005), and a short stint with the Chico (CA) Outlaws. (2008) I played college baseball for The University of Vermont Baseball team from 2002 - 2004. As a Left-fielder / Centerfielder, I received America East conference Player of the Week honors in April of 2002. A 1999 graduate of Cape Elizabeth High School (ME), I was named Maine's High School Baseball Gatorade Player of the Year in 1999. In addition, I lettered for the school's soccer and ice hockey teams that each won a State Championship respectively.