jean-philippe lafortune
Quebec, Canada
jplafortune -at- gmail -dot- com
updated: May 2010 |
resume |
work history
05-2009 to NOW |
Stingray Digital, User Interface Specialist |
Stingray is a Montreal-based private company developing The Karaoke Channel.com and The Galaxie Channels. As a UX Designer, along with VP Product Design, I design the new products for the smart phones, desktop, consoles and IPTV. From the initial concept I draw scketches and mock-ups, create the wireframes, prototypes and flow charts. As a specialist, I ensure the ergonomics and usability of the applications. I follow up the development from initial idea to the release.
- Corporate website : www.stingraydigital.com.
- Product site : www.galaxie.ca.
- Product site : www.thekaraokechannel.com
05-2007 to NOW |
Sylien Games, Creative Director |
Ottawa-based development studio, Sylien is developing casual browser-based MMO games such as the cult classic Trade Wars now powered by a propietary game generator. As the creative director I am currently responsible for branding, marketing and corporate image of the company. I’m involve in media relation and in some business decision. Last January we released the gold version. Currently working on v1.1 enhancement and marketing campaign (web referencing, Google ads, Facebook aps, magazine ads...).
- Corporate website : www.sylien.com.
- Game website : www.tradewarsrising.com.
10-2006 to 12-2007 |
Vision Globale, Head of Game Department |
VG is a post-production studio developing casual adver-games for its movie/TV clients. As a supervisor, I setup a production pipeline and instated industry’s best practices such as iterative development, use of source control application, code reviews and QA for a team of ten to twelve. As an executive producer, I presented the projects to the clients and follow up throughout the game proposal, design document, production management, budgeting, scheduling and deliverables. Worked with RFP and national Fund program (Bell, NFB, ...). Directed 10-12 persons.
- Clients: Nickelodeon, GameTap, Teletoon, Neo Pets, Fortune Star, Melenny Productions and more.
- Games : Nickjr.com Diego's Animal Park, Fortune Star's Bruce Lee (x3), Mr. Vampire, Neo Pets, Kovalev, Les Boys, Sophie Paquin, Dad's in the attic, Chop Sooky Chooks, Avatar, Mega Block...
05-2005 to 09-2006 |
First Person Plural, Head of Design Department |
FPP is a Montreal-based startup developing a casual MMO driving game and Witness an online in-game advertisement application. As head of design, I designed & created corporate image and websites, product branding, marketing demo and scheduled production deliverables. As Product Specialist, I defined the product features, scheduled and supervise up to the sales presentation. Directed 5 employees and 3 contractors. Main products:
- HumanLimit - MMO driving game with online interactive targeted advertisement.
- Vitual Showroom - MMO virtual meeting and exhibition space with targeted advertisement.
- Witness - advertisement campaign control center.
12-2004 to 12-2005 |
Miranda Technologies, Web Designer, GUI R&D |
Miranda is an international hardware & software developer in the TV broadcast industry and network monitoring. Developed multi-screen (up to 10) control center console GUIs for HBO, CBS, Verizon, BBC, TV5, TVA and more. As a designer in r&d, I analyzed and proposed a 3D monitoring solution that allows error drill-down in a national view of the network down to the physical device view. I developed a proof of concept in two months using Virtools. Main products:
- iControl Web - Over 30 GUIs for Network Monitoring and Control Center for TV broadcasters.
- iControl 3D - Map-based drill-down view and logical network view and monitoring prototype.
07-2002 to 06-2005 |
Xaracom, Independent Producer |
Xaracom is a Montreal-based web development company specialized in online game and e-learning application. As an independent producer I was contracted for three different projects to design and deliver complete 3D games. Responsibility includes, budgeting, planning, hiring, pre-prod, prod, tests, release and payroll. Projects:
- Neurox: e-Learning game for career choice classes, client: Hydro-Quebec (6 months, 5 employees).
- Neurox II: e-Learning game for pharmaceutical salesperson, client: Pfizer (4 months, 4 employees).
- Osmozia: Interactive “Murder Mystery” evening with projected game master(4 months, 3 employees).
10-2002 to 09-2003 |
Megafun, 3D Production Manager |
Megafun, Paul Cadieux’s Montreal-based animation studio, produced 2D & 3D environments for TV series RATZ (by Xilam). As 3D Production Manager I was in charge of project setup, production coordination, Intranet and clients communications. I also developed in-house production tools for Maya (8 employees).
04-1999 to 07-2001 |
My Virtual Model, Instructor, Developer, Technical Lead |
MVM, a Montreal-based web development application specialized in virtual identity and online apparel retail. In the R&D department I designed, developed and documented a cloth simulator for Maya to dress a population of 40 human models. As a Technical Lead I initiated, designed & developed a realtime 3D Virtual Model showed at Siggraph 2000. Tasks / Projects:
- Virtual Garment Studio - Maya Cloth Simulation Aid to "dress" a series of 40 bodies overnight.
- Realtime MVM - Shockwave3D(beta) proof of concept of web 3d animation with cloth changes.
- Instructor - Setup sharing knowledge Intranet, tutorials and train newcomers on Photoshop & Maya.
05-1995 to 01-1999 |
BackGRAF, Founder / Art Director |
BackGRAF is a Montreal-based company, specialized in research & development and cg production. I designed a 3D acoustic simulator for 3Dmax, and developed 3d demos, which was shown at Radio-Canada “Branché” and CanApple ’99 in New York City. I also designed and developed CG interfaces for Universal Pictures’ “The Bone Collector”. Managed 8 employees, developers and artists.
- Universal Pictures - The Bone Collector - Computer screen video assist and cgi graphics.
- Allegro Films - Witness Files TV series - Computer screen video assist and cgi graphics.
- Sound iN Dimension - Realtime acoustic simulator and surround renderer for 3D Studio Max.
- Cyclone - 3D Presentation of an original 3 wheeled vehicle designed by student at the Auto Show.
- Horizon - Cyber-Station - Public Internet Station for Montreal University Student.
03-1994 to 09-1998 |
CAE Electronics, Senior 3D Modeler |
CAE doesn’t need introduction. For four years I design and develop 3d models for commercial and military aircraft training simulator. I was assigned the design of key elements for military flight simulator like the ownship cockpit mask, companionship, marshaller, air-to-air refuelling, NVG malfunctions and many special effects such as the rotor downwash on ocean for projector based helicopter simulators and head-mounted display aircraft simulators.
- Commercial aircraft training simulator - Modeled over 10 airports and commercial aircrafts.
- Australian Blackhawk - Projector and helmet (hmd) training simulator with night vision malfunctions.
- British EH101 Merlin - Ownship rotor engine, water downwash and 3d marshaller on ship deck.
- Malaysian MIG-29 - Ownship cokpit mask, reticle, air-to-air refueling components on fiber optic HMD.
- Demo Wall - Design and developed showcase scenarios for marketing presentation and trade shows.
computer skills
- Using computer since the C-64 (1983), I am proficient with Windows, Linux and LAMP server.
- Proficient with MS Office, Visio, Project, OpenGantt, Axure, Mindjet Manager and VersionOne Agile.
- Excellent knowledge of source control apps VSS, SVN, Perforce, Alienbrain, Vault and Version Cue.
- Expert user and developer for Photoshop, Maya and Virtools (developed many production tools).
- Good knowledge of 3DMax, MotionBuilder, Multigen, Flash, Illustrator, AfterFX, Premiere, Autocad...
- Programming languages : Bash, Perl, Html, CSS, Php, JavaScript, MEL (Maya), VSL (Virtools), C, C++.
education & certificates
- 2009 Savoir Faire Linux, Montreal, Qc. Linux System and Network Administrator.
- 2005 Virtools, Montreal, Qc. Introduction to Virtools Dev 3.0.
- 2002 Barnes & Noble University, online. Flash Introduction, Introduction to C++.
- 2000 Alias Wavefront, Toronto, On. MEL Fundamentals (Maya Embedded Language).
- 1997 CAE Electronics Ltd., St-Laurent, Qc. C Programming using Visual Studio and UNIX.
- 1997 CAE Electronics Ltd., St-Laurent, Qc. UNIX Accelerator.
- 1993 Compétences 2000, Laval, Qc. DEP Industrial Design (CAD).
award & distinctions
- 2007 Nickelodeon TOP 5 Game - Diego’s Animal Park on NickJr.com.
- 2005 Best Network Monitoring Solution - Miranda iControl TV Network Monitoring.
- 2003 Boomerang Award - Innovative Technology Grand Prize for Neurox.
- 2001 Game Best Seller - Disney's Princess Fashion Boutique.
- 1998 Multigen Calendar Contest - Blackhawk Simulator First Prize.
other
- Summary : 15 years in CG, 8 years in game & realtime development, 5 years in manager positions.
- Shipped Games : Trade Wars Rising, Diego's Animal Park, Bruce Lee, Mr Vampire, Neurox & Neurox II.
- Favorite Games : Need for Speed, Spore, Black & White, Fables, Deus Ex, Call of Duty, Metal Gear...
- Associations : ACM Siggraph Montreal Chapter since 1995, IGDA Montreal Chapter since 2001.
- Industry Events : ITSEC 1997, Siggraph 1998, 2000 and 2001, 3December 2001, NAB 2005.
- Best references : Gamasutra, Highend3D, AutoDesk, Photoshop, Virtools developer’s communities.
- Hobbies : Photography, music, kayak, virtual reality and immersive environment.
- Spoken and written languages: English & French.
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