Jason Zarrilli
About Me
I am a Ringling College of Art and Design Graduate with a BFA in Virtual Reality Development. I am a Technical Artist specializing in Artist tool creation, PCGs, interaction programming and optimization within Unreal Engine. I have experience in Unity and programming in C# as well. I am passionate about my work and love a great challenge to solve.
Vice Smugglers
Senior Capstone Project
Vice Smugglers is a motion simulated VR game I created start to finish with one other teammate. I was responsible for all interaction programing as well as creating easy to use materials, shaders and PCGs to assist my partner with populating the environment. I also optimized the project to run at a stable 90fps in VR.
PCG Building Generator
Created in Unreal Engine 5.2
Problem:
Vice Smugglers takes place in a city with lots of buildings. How can we populate an entire city with unique building shapes in a timely manner? How can I use 5.2's PCG features to the best use?
Solution:
Use a PCG blueprint to create unique buildings quickly from different mod-kit sets. Recreate 5.3 and 5.4 PCG features in 5.2 to achieve the result.
Outcome:
This PCG can be used with any mesh and attaches the mesh by the pivot point to corners of other nearby points. The blueprint is contained in a box volume and can be placed next to other volumes to combine buildings and create unique shapes. I used techniques from 5.3 and 5.4 as reference for my approach in 5.2. There were several variable patches for the PCG graph in the later versions that I had to reverse engineer to get them in 5.2.
Vertex Paint Street Material
Created in Unreal Engine 5.2
Problem:
What can I do to spice up the set dressing of Vice Smugglers?
Solution:
Create a "Wet Set" environment. By using a vertex paint material I can achieve a wet appearance on the street and sidewalk.
Outcome:
This material uses the red, green and blue texture channels to add wetness on 3 levels; dry, wet and puddle. The artist can easily enter the vertex paint mode in unreal and change between these brush channels to create the wet look.
Rigging Study
Created in Unreal Engine 5.4 and Maya 2025
Problem:
I don't have a lot of practice rigging and I want to understand it better.
Solution:
Rig a character of mine and create some basic animations.
Outcome:
I experimented with Modular and Control Rigs in Unreal as well as IK rigging in Maya. I was able to gain a strong understanding of weight painting in both UE and Maya. I enjoyed creating the different types of rigs and experimenting with animation. This was my first real pass at rigging and animation and I am happy with how it came out.
Tessellation
Ice Material
Created in Unreal Engine 5.4 and Maya 2025
Problem:
Need a way to place icicles on different mesh shapes without making custom icicles for each one.
Solution:
Create a dynamic material to create the icicle effect.
Outcome:
I created this material using a vertex normal world scale with a blue channel mask and a clamp to keep the icicles pointing downward. This is plugged into the world position offset to create the tessellation effect.
First Aid VR
Created in Unreal Engine 5.2
Problem:
Create a VR project that has a positive impact on society.
Solution:
Make a first aid training application that runs the user through four scenarios; major bleed, cardiac arrest, overdose and stroke.
Outcome:
Myself and one other teammate created First Aid VR in our Junior year of college. We both had a passion for creating impact with our artwork and designed this project to help not only our understanding of what to do in an emergency, but to help other users to better prepare for the worst. Some things I would like to improve for this project are, get a subject matter expert's opinion, and improve the visual quality. Overall I am happy with what I was able to accomplish in that short amount of time.
Development Experience
Lead Technical Artist
Vice Smugglers - Senior Capstone Feb 2024 - Feb 2025
Ringling College of Art and Design
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Collaborated on a motion simulation project in partnership with company Talon Simulations
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Developed optimized complex art tools using Blueprinting/C++; paintable shaders, PCGs (90fps)
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Designed and implemented enemy systems and created Niagara VFXs to enhance visual quality
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Programmed complex interactions, UI elements, and cinematic sequences using Unreal Engine
Technical Artist
First Aid VR - Junior Capstone Aug 2023 - Dec 2023
Ringling College of Art and Design
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Developed a VR simulation teaching users how to respond to four medical emergencies using Unreal Engine Blueprinting
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Optimized performance through efficient LODs and programmed realistic user interactions
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Created custom materials and textures using Adobe Substance Painter and contributed to art direction decisions, implemented dynamic lighting solutions to create appropriate atmosphere
VR Developer
That's The Stuff! - Aug 2022 - Dec 2022
Ringling College of Art and Design
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Independently developed a complete VR experience from concept to completion using Unreal Engine and source control for efficient workflow with proper performance
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Created all 3D assets through hard and soft surface modeling techniques in Maya and Zbrush
GA+VRD Lab Monitor
Ringling College of Art and Design
August 2022 - May 2025
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Monitor and maintain lab safety and order during after-hours operation
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Collaborate with team members and supervisors on scheduling and policy improvements
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Assist students with technical issues in a variety of softwares
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Troubleshoot topology correction and optimization problems to help students improve project performance
Booth Assistant AWE
3lb XR / 3lb Games - AWE 2024
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Collaborated with company technical artist and other booth assistants to attract attendees and guide them through onboarding for the showcased XR experience.
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Troubleshoot problems with connectivity, errors with Meta Quest 3s and build issues.
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Communicated with attendees to get them interested in the available products
Booth Assistant I/ITSEC
HaptX - I/ITSEC 2023
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Interacted with convention attendees and assisted the on boarding process for VR and for the haptic gloves.
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Guided users through demo experiences.
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Communicated with users to gain feedback and insight.
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Worked with HTC Vive headsets and HaptX equipment.
Education
Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA)
Virtual Reality Development
Ringling College of Art and Design
2021 – 2025
Awards / Achievements
Best of Ringling Bronze Award - Vice Smugglers
Ringling College of Art and Design 2025
Best of Ringling is an industry professional judged competition held at Ringling College of Art and Design. My project Vice Smugglers was awarded Bronze for the Virtual Reality Development major for overall excellence.
Best of Ringling VR For Good Award - First Aid VR
Ringling College of Art and Design 2023
Best of Ringling is an industry professional judged competition held at Ringling College of Art and Design. My project First Aid VR was awarded the "VR For Good Award" in the Virtual Reality Development major as the best VR project created for a positive social impact.
Rookie of the Year Immersive Media 2024 Rank B
The Rookie Awards 2024
Achieved an official judge ranking of B from the Rookie Awards for my project submission First Aid VR.
Get in Touch
I appreciate your interest in my portfolio. Whether you have inquiries about my work or seek collaboration opportunities, please don't hesitate to connect with me.