Arda Koyuncu
About Arda Koyuncu
Arda Koyuncu is an Art Director at Riot Games, with a strong background in character art and team management. He has held various roles in the gaming industry, including positions at Blur Studio and Santa Monica Studio, and possesses expertise in digital and traditional sculpting techniques.
Work at Riot Games
Arda Koyuncu has held multiple roles at Riot Games, starting as a Principal Character Artist from 2019 to 2021. He then transitioned to the position of Associate Art Director, where he worked from 2021 to 2024. In 2024, he was promoted to Art Director, continuing his tenure at the company. His responsibilities include managing offsite art and outsourcing teams, as well as engaging in worldbuilding and IP development.
Education and Expertise
Arda Koyuncu earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Bilkent University, where he studied from 2003 to 2008. He later pursued a Master of Fine Arts in Visual Effects at the Academy of Art University from 2009 to 2011. His educational background supports his expertise in both digital and traditional sculpting techniques, as well as technical skills in programming languages such as HTML, Java, Actionscript, Python, and Mel scripting.
Background in Character Art and Design
Koyuncu has extensive experience in character art and design, having worked at various notable studios. He served as Lead Character Artist at Blur Studio from 2012 to 2015 and as Senior Character Artist at Santa Monica Studio from 2015 to 2018. Additionally, he was the Head of Character Art at Goodbye Kansas from 2018 to 2019. His work has involved look development using tools such as Vray, Arnold, Unreal Engine, and Unity.
Professional Experience and Roles
Throughout his career, Arda Koyuncu has held various positions that highlight his leadership and artistic skills. He co-founded Brink XR and served as Managing Partner from 2016 to 2020. He also worked as a Modeling Supervisor at the Academy of Art University for five months in 2011. His freelance work as a Character Artist from 2010 to 2011 further demonstrates his versatility in the field.
Skills in Team Building and Mentoring
Koyuncu possesses strong skills in team building, process building, mentoring, and coaching. His experience managing offsite art and outsourcing teams showcases his ability to lead and collaborate effectively. He also has some experience with Maya Fluids, Particles, nCloth, Max Cloth, and dynamics, which complements his artistic capabilities.