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Daniela Mela
Animator | Illustrator | Unreal Engine
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Daniela Mela
Daniela Mela
Animator | Illustrator | Unreal Engine
London, United Kingdom

Summary

I’m a visual designer and real-time animator working at the intersection of illustration, 3D animation, and game-engine technology.
My work blends strong artistic direction with technical workflows in Unreal Engine, After Effects, Blender, and MetaHuman, focusing on stylised worlds, expressive characters, and cinematic storytelling.

I’m currently pursuing a PhD in Real-Time Animation applied to Learning Technologies, exploring how interactive avatar-driven experiences can enhance engagement and education.

I’ve contributed to animation and VFX projects across film, education, and non-profit sectors - including festival-selected work and international presentations - while developing a multidisciplinary practice rooted in creativity, experimentation, and accessible design.

Recent highlights:
🎓 Educational real-time animation for NaariSamata (Unreal Engine)
🧠 Researcher & academic tutor with experience in design, animation and digital media
🎬 Everlight – VFX & Compositing (Copenhagen Night Terrors Festival 2024)

Skills

CompositingEnvironment Design3D Animation3D ModelingEnvironment ModelingTexturing3D ScanningVFXPBR Texturing3D GeneralistRealtime3D DMPPlate stitchingObjects removalNotifiesIK systems

Software proficiency

Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine
MetaHuman Creator
MetaHuman Creator
Blender
Blender
Nuke
Nuke
Houdini
Houdini
Substance 3D Painter
Substance 3D Painter
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve
Cinema 4D
Cinema 4D
After Effects
After Effects
Photoshop
Photoshop
Premiere
Premiere
Illustrator
Illustrator
InDesign
InDesign
Procreate
Procreate

Reel

Productions

    • Movie
      Everlight
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      Visual Effects Supervisor, Editor, Opening Credits and Post Production
    • Company
      Real Blast

Experience

  • Researcher of Realtime Animation | Tutor at Bournemouth University
    Poole, United Kingdom
    January 2021 - Present

    Researcher of Realtime Animation using Unreal Engine and Meta Human Creator by Epic.

    Animator of Educational Content, Compositor, Motion Designer. Academic Tutor.

  • 3D Animator at Naari Samata
    London
    February 2023 - September 2023

    3D Animator for educational learning animated content in support of human rights.

  • Animator and Film Director at Real Blast Films
    London
    March 2023 - December 2024

  • 3D DMP | Compositor | VFX Artist at BrainBird Studio
    London, United Kingdom
    March 2015 - March 2020

    Compositor, Generalist and Design team Manager.

  • Tutor of 3D Modelling and Motion Design at Arts University Bournemouth
    Poole, United Kingdom
    September 2015 - December 2020

    Animation and Motion Design for Advertisement, Social Media Executive,

    Web and Graphic Designer. I was responsible for the running and content of

    the Faculty's Web and Social Media channels. I trained staff and students in

    3D Modelling and Motion Design best practice.

  • Online Content Advisor at Google
    London, United Kingdom
    December 2013 - August 2015

    Online Content Technical Advisor and Customer Educator

    specialized in Web, Online Content and Apps technologies. Online

    Content Translator (Italian and English), KPI, CMS and SEO

    management.

  • Content Editor at eBay
    Nice, France
    November 2013 - June 2014

    Online Content Editor, Translator, KPI, CMS, and SEO management.

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