Sam Ghafari

Developer · Technical Artist · 3D Generalist

Gold Coast, Australiainfo@ghafari.co.uk +61 403 835 798 ghafari.co.uk LinkedIn ↗

Professional summary

Creative problem solver with over 20 years across software development, technical art and 3D production. I build real time applications, custom production tools, digital twins and immersive experiences using Unreal Engine, Unity, C#, Python and web technologies.

Core skills

Engines & environments

Unreal Engine · Unity · Blueprints · Level design · Environment design

Programming & web

C# · Python · React · Babylon.js · WebGL · WebXR

Technical art

Custom shaders · Materials · Pipeline tools · Automation · Optimisation

3D production

3ds Max · Maya · Modelling · UVs · PBR · Lighting · Rendering

Immersive & spatial

AR · VR · XR · Digital twins · GIS · Photogrammetry · Point clouds

Research & visual media

Gaussian splatting · NeRF · NVIDIA Omniverse · Animation · Projection mapping

Professional experience

Senior Unity Developer

Bank’d

February 2025 to Present

Develop Unity applications for a financial education platform, connecting interactive 3D environments with backend systems and financial data.
Implement gamified saving and investment experiences, parental controls and rewards, with attention to data integrity, security and performance.
Contribute to application architecture, code reviews, developer mentoring and collaboration with designers and external contractors.

Unity · C# · Backend integration · Gamification · Application architecture

Senior Developer & Technical Artist

Unsigned Studio, Aurecon

February 2021 to January 2025

Developed real time 3D applications, VR experiences and digital twins for major Australian infrastructure projects.
Built specialist tools for rail simulation, signal sighting, engineering data workflows and interactive reporting.

Selected project examples

Power BI 3D GIS plugin ↗
Built a custom plugin that brings GIS information and interactive 3D visualisation into Power BI reports for Transport for NSW.
Signal sighting & train simulation ↗
Developed simulation and signal sighting systems for rail projects across multiple Australian states.
Caloundra Transport Corridor digital twin ↗
Developed an Unreal Engine visualisation to make the proposed corridor explorable for engineers, stakeholders and the community.

Unreal Engine · Unity · WebGL · WebXR · Power BI · GIS · VR

Developer & Senior 3D Artist

V2i Group

April 2018 to January 2021

Combined real time development and 3D production for infrastructure, urban planning and public engagement.
Developed interactive applications and data pipelines, with research and delivery across Unity, Unreal Engine, VR, AR and WebGL.

Selected project examples

Cross River Rail digital twin & Experience Centre ↗2018
Worked with the V2i team on interactive digital twin visualisation, VR and projection mapping for the public Experience Centre.

Unreal Engine · Unity · 3D production · Data pipelines · VR · Projection mapping

Developer & Technical Director

Dreambox, Istanbul

November 2011 to January 2018

Developed games, real time visualisations, VR and AR experiences, alongside CGI and multimedia production.
Directed technical workflows, developed production tools, mentored artists and developers, and coordinated multidisciplinary delivery.

Selected project examples

Guardian of Colors ↗2017
Unity and C# gameplay development and 3D art for an Adeland mobile game.
Conquest of Istanbul ↗2016
Led technical direction for a large scale video projection mapping production.
Gloria Sports Arena ↗2014
Lead 3D artist on the image film, contributing architectural CGI, lighting and rendering.
Adeland TVC & webisodes ↗2013
Senior 3D rendering artist for the Adeland commercial and animated series.

Unity · C# · Unreal Engine · Python · Maya · 3ds Max · Rendering · AR / VR

3D Artist / Generalist

Didar Film

May 2002 to January 2009

Produced modelling, UVs, textures, shading, lighting and rendering for advertising, animation, films and promotional content.
Collaborated with directors, clients and creative teams on 3D assets, visual effects and production delivery.

3D modelling · UV mapping · Texturing · Shading · Lighting · Rendering · VFX