Meet Jude (Jongwook) Lee | 3D Environment Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jude (Jongwook) Lee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jude (Jongwook), what’s your definition for success?
In my, opinion, If you find a sense of ease and happiness in your life, I believe that’s a success. It took me a while to find something I’m passionate about and can fully immerse myself in, but now that I am engaged in work that brings me happiness, I consider that the first half of my personal success story. Looking ahead, to fulfill the remaining half, I plan to continue seeking ways to cultivate a sense of leisure, and putting effort into finding that balance with work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Looking back, I was always interested in making something since I was little, such as paper board games. As I grew up, the world became increasingly digitalized, leading me to be a 3D environment artist in the video game industry where my interests can illustrate everything as digital. I help players become more immersed in the world by making terrain, buildings, and props fit the game’s concept. My job is also to convey storytelling with all the assets mentioned above, as well as create spaces and paths for gameplay.
I think delivering storytelling as an environment artist is both fun and difficult. It is an area that expresses 3D space, atmosphere, and mood, not through text or explanation, so artistic skills are needed. In addition, optimization techniques are essential because game development includes interactive elements unlike movies or any other visual media. Therefore, my work covers both artistic and technical aspects. Lastly, I believe that environment artists provide users with a virtual playground that does not exist in real life. I feel proud when I see players running around, playing in the environments I created.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles boasts many wonderful places, but one spot I highly recommend visiting is Griffith Observatory. It’s not only great for hiking but also offers stunning views of the city of LA from the observatory itself. Watching the sunset and stargazing here are highly recommended experiences.

Secondly, I would suggest visiting Frogtown, also known as Elysian Valley, which I recently explored. It’s perfect for enjoying a walk along the LA River and exploring its trendy shops. Moreover, it’s considered one of the best places in LA for biking, thanks to its well-established bike paths.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Looking back, I have received significant assistance from many people, for which I feel incredibly grateful and appreciative.

First and foremost, I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my alma mater, SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design). This university recognized my potential and awarded me a full scholarship. The experiences I gained from the school’s comprehensive support, excellent professors, and programs have proven invaluable in my professional career. I am particularly thankful to Professor Shami, whose teachings shaped who I am today and greatly assisted me during my thesis.

Secondly, I’d like to give a shoutout to my colleague and mentor, Mike Altamirano. When I first started as an intern at Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts, he guided me with kindness in improving as an environment artist. He not only taught me technical skills but also demonstrated the attitudes and mindset that an artist should embody throughout their career. Despite now working in different teams, he remains a role model to me.

Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to my current lead, LP Durand, and Jared Bosse, as well as to Art Director Eduardo Agostini and Jason McKenzie. Working alongside amazing artists like them consistently makes me grow. Learning from their expertise as proficient Environment Artists, and earning their trust within the team, inspires me to do my best. I feel fortunate to be part of a positive team atmosphere and to achieve successful outcomes alongside talented artists.

Website: https://judelee.artstation.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-lee-jongwook-8332aa181/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jude.lee.737

Image Credits
Jude (Jongwook) Lee