Sona Manju

Background

About Sona Manju

I’m a Senior 3D Artist with over eight years of experience creating immersive, story-driven worlds for games across mobile, AR/VR, and real-time platforms. My work blends artistic storytelling with technical precision, bringing environments to life through strong composition, lighting, and performance-driven design.Currently at Blacksmith Hollow (UK), I help define the studio’s visual direction, lead look development, and mentor artists in optimized workflows and production standards. As a Game Art Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, I train aspiring creators in real-world pipelines and collaborative development practices that reflect modern studio environments.Skilled in Maya, Blender, ZBrush, Substance 3D Painter, Unreal Engine, and Unity, I specialize in PBR texturing, environment design, modular workflows, and real-time rendering. My experience spans from high-poly modeling and retopology to pipeline optimization and cross-team collaboration, ensuring each project balances creativity and technical efficiency.I’m passionate about crafting visually compelling, performant, and emotionally engaging environments, while helping teams grow through mentorship, collaboration, and a shared commitment to artistic excellence.