Nishant Singh

VFX / Technical Artist
Unreal Engine • PS5 VR • Niagara • Sequencer • Shaders

• Built full-scale procedural space environments using Niagara-driven systems and shader-based textured planes instead of traditional mesh-heavy workflows.
• Worked with Niagara Data Channels (NDC) to build data-driven VFX systems by passing real-time gameplay and system-level data into Niagara, enabling multiple Niagara systems to react dynamically to shared events, positions, and parameters without direct actor binding.
• Created dynamic nebulae, cosmic clouds, star fields, space dust, and atmospheric layers optimized for VR rendering.
• Developed custom Niagara modules using Scratch Pad to extend Niagara’s functionality and build project-specific VFX systems.
• Authored and optimized materials and shaders to achieve volumetric depth, glow, soft blending, parallax motion, and cinematic lighting.
• Integrated Niagara with Sequencer to drive animated environments, cosmic events, transitions, and cinematic sequences.
• Created and animated environment shots in Sequencer, handling camera motion, timing, and VFX choreography.
• Optimized VFX and environment systems for PS5 VR performance, managing particle counts, overdraw, shader complexity, and GPU cost.
• Designed modular and reusable VFX environment systems enabling rapid creation of multiple unique space scenes.
• Balanced visual fidelity with real-time constraints to maintain stable frame rates in a VR production environment.

VFX & Shader Artist
Studio Sirah • Oct 2022 – Aug 2024
Kurukshetra: Ascension (Unity) & Unannounced Tower Defense Title (Alpha)

• Owned the complete real-time VFX and shader pipeline for Kurukshetra: Ascension, handling all gameplay, UI, and shader-based effects in Unity.
• Designed and implemented stylized gameplay FX for card abilities, spells, buffs, debuffs, and combat interactions.
• Built custom shaders using Shader Graph and HLSL for characters, environments, UI elements, and special effects.
• Created animated UI VFX and feedback systems for card interactions, menus, and player responses.
• Optimized particle systems and shaders for mobile and PC platforms, maintaining performance and visual clarity.
• Developed reusable VFX prefabs and shader templates to streamline production and ensure consistency.
• Contributed to the studio’s second project, a Tower Defense game (Alpha release), creating 25–30 gameplay VFX for early production.
• Designed character ability effects including:
  Melee attack impacts
  Ranged projectile FX
  Area-of-effect (AoE) abilities
  Skill activation and hit feedback
• Created VFX tailored to each character’s unique abilities, enhancing gameplay readability and visual identity.
• Focused on clarity, responsiveness, and performance to support fast-paced combat scenarios.
• Collaborated with designers to iterate rapidly on gameplay balance and visual feedback during the Alpha phase.

VFX / Unreal Artist
Extramarks Education Pvt. Ltd. • Oct 2021 – Dec 2022

• Created cinematic 3D VFX using Maya with Bifrost, Maya Particles, Maya Fluids, and FumeFX for effects such as fire, smoke, explosions, snow, wind, and atmospheric simulations.
• Produced complete VFX shots for educational video content based on creative and technical requirements.
• Implemented real-time VFX in Unreal Engine using Niagara, replacing heavy offline simulations with optimized real-time effects.
• Built shaders and materials for effects, environments, and compositing workflows.
• Set up lighting, cameras, post-process volumes, and scene composition for real-time VFX shots.
• Created real-time VFX setups for virtual production, including green-screen keying and environment compositing for live classes.
• Optimized VFX systems to ensure smooth real-time performance and visual clarity.

VFX Artist
Square Panda • Nov 2019 – Nov 2021

• Created real-time VFX using Unity’s Shuriken Particle System for gameplay, UI feedback, and interactive learning experiences.
• Developed shaders using Shader Graph to achieve stylized visual effects, glow, distortion, and smooth blending.
• Set up and optimized lighting to enhance scene mood, depth, and visual clarity.
• Used After Effects to design and animate VFX elements and generate sprite sheets / flipbooks for real-time integration.
• Created and refined textures using Photoshop for particles, masks, and effect materials.
• Focused on lightweight, performance-friendly VFX suitable for mobile and interactive platforms.
• Built reusable VFX assets and shader templates to maintain consistency and speed up production.

VFX Artist
Lakshya Digital • Apr 2017 – Oct 2019

• Worked on multiple AAA and high-profile game projects including Gears of War 5, Trials of Mana, and Magic: The Gathering.
• Created real-time gameplay VFX for abilities, magic effects, combat impacts, and environmental interactions.
• Worked in both Unreal Engine and Unity, adapting VFX workflows based on project requirements.
• Designed particle effects for trails, magic spells, elemental attacks, and impact FX with strong focus on visual readability.
• Collaborated with art, design, and technical teams to integrate VFX into gameplay systems.
• Followed studio production pipelines and quality standards for large-scale commercial projects.
• Optimized effects for performance while maintaining cinematic visual quality.
• Gained strong foundational experience in professional VFX pipelines and real-time game development.