Dan Sopala

3D Animator, Art Director, Game Designer

San Antonio, TX, USA

Work Experience

3D Print Designer

Design 3D models to be printed on a 3D printer
April 2020 - Texas, United States

BOUNCING BABY TV

Youtube Content Creator

Started a 3D animated youtube channel for toddlers and in a short time grew it to over 5 million subscribers and 1.4 billion views. I now also have a presence on Amazon Prime.
April 2016 - Present San Antonio, Texas, United States

Wabam Games

Mobile Game Designer

As co-owner of WaBam Games I am responsible for creating all 2D and 3D art and animation as well as implementing them in Unity 3D. All four of these titles are currently available on the iOS and Android markets.

These include:
Gummy Lab - Match 3
Jammin' Jelly
Buttons Kaboom
Buttons Deluxe
March 2012 - Present San Antonio, Texas, United States

IGT

3D Video Design Animator

Project Leader, Animation, Modeling, Texturing.
Worked on over 30 titles, creating 2D and 3D content for interactive video slot machines, many of which are on the casino floor.
Titles include: Wheel of Fortune, Geared to Win, Denver Duck, Cash Cove, Flip Flop Deluxe, Paul Rodriguez, WWE, Dilbert, The Dating Game, Easel Money, End of the Rainbow, Dakota Thunder, Imperial Dragon, Fort Knox, Blood Life, Dash for Cash, It’s my Party, Lucky Cricket, MegaVolt.
April 2001 - January 2013 Nevada, United States

Anchor Games

Lead Animator

Animation, Modeling, Texturing.
Led a team in creating real-time 3D interactive video games for slot machines. Created Popular Video slot machines which are currently on the casino floor. Titles include Flip Flop, Pick’n’Pop, Sea Quest.
August 1997 - April 2001 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Northern Star

Production Manager

Ad Designer, Layout Planner.

Managed a team in charge of creating advertisements for the Northern Illinois University newspaper, using various applications including Quark, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
January 1995 - May 1997 DeKalb, Illinois, United States

Digital People

Desktop Publishing Temporary Agency

Worked DTP using various applications including Photoshop,Illustrator, and Quark for the following companies:
R.R. Donnelly, Chicago Il
Kelvyn Publishing, Byron Il
ColorStream Technologies, Chicago Il
June 1994 - September 1996 Chicago, Illinois, United States

Education

Northern Illinois University

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Design - Electronic Media
1992 - 1997 DeKalb, Illinois, United States

Awards

Casino Journal

"Top 20 Most Innovative Gaming Products/Services for 2001", for "Flip Flop".

2001

Casino Player Magazine

voted "Best Bonus game of 2013" for "Tully's Treasure Hunt"

2013

Skills

3D Studio Max, After Effects, Illustrator, Particle Illusion, Photoshop, Premier, Unity 3D,