About me.
Hello there!
My name is Dessy Markova and I am a real-time artist and creative with a passion for bringing digital worlds to life. With extensive expertise in Unreal Engine, I specialize in environment art, art direction, and layout visualisation, positioning myself as a versatile generalist who adapts seamlessly to the diverse demands of the industry.
Over the course of my career, I’ve contributed to a range of interactive projects, including immersive VR and AR experiences, NFTs as well as high-quality films—both fully animated and live action utilizing virtual production techniques. I thrive in client-facing roles, where I lead projects with an emphasis on clear communication, managing expectations, and ensuring that final products are delivered to the highest standard.
My approach to work blends creativity with technical precision, allowing me to guide projects from concept through to completion. I’m always excited to collaborate with innovative teams and push the boundaries of what’s possible in real-time art and interactive media.
Work Experience
Content Creation Generalist
Dimension Studios
-Real-time art in Unreal Engine 5
-Layout and environment blocking for cinematic pieces and films
-Environment art for Virtual production
-Creation of concepts working from scratch or with historical references
-Modelling and optimization of 3d assets ready for VR and AR experiences
-Texturing and lighting scenes
-Client facing presentations
Creative Lead and Real-time Artist - Soluis Studios
-Project and Creative Lead
-Real-time art in Unreal Engine 4 and 5
-Modelling and optimization of 3d assets ready for VR and AR experiences
-Texturing and lighting scenes
-Preparation of pre-production packs for clients based on brief and creative problem solving
-Pitching and presentation to clients
-Managing team and freelancers to ensure all work is done to high standard and as per project requirements
Digital Artist Associate - Disney Research
-Project Lead
-Working with real time graphics for games, VR, AR and shorts;
-Solving technical challenges to represent emerging technologies and
cutting-edge research;
-Art Projects management;
-Working with realistic and stylised concept art;
-Mentoring students for Disney Research Mentorship schemes;
Software
3Ds Max, Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Substance Designer;
Unreal Engine 4, Unreal Engine 5;
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects
Offline Rendering Engines: Pixar's Renderman, Arnold
Publications and Acknowledgements
- "IRIDiuM+: Deep-Media Storytelling With Non-linear Light-Field Video" ACM SIGGRAPH 2017 VR Village. ACM, 2017.
- “Real-time Rendering of Animated Light Fields”, GI 2017.
- "Iridium: immersive rendered interactive deep media." ACM SIGGRAPH 2016 VR Village. ACM, 2016.