Joseph Lee

Résumé

Film and Visual Media student at Carnegie Mellon University who builds games in Unity, models in 3D, and writes, shoots, and edits film and video.

jjlee4@andrew.cmu.eduSee the work

Education

Carnegie Mellon University
B.A. in Film and Visual Media · Pittsburgh, PA
Expected May 2029
  • Intended minors: Game Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence
  • GPA 3.75/4.0. Dean's List, High Honors (2025-26)
  • Coursework: Understanding Game Engines, IDeATe: Introduction to 3D Animation, Introduction to Film Production, Designing Human-Centered Software, Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science, Advanced Film Studies
Oxford Academy
Cypress, CA
Graduated May 2025
  • National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. AP Scholar with Distinction

Experience

Operations and Technology Intern
Global Human Performance · Pittsburgh, PA
May 2026 – Aug 2026
  • Designed the company podcast's visual identity from scratch (sharp geometric shapes, neon orange on matte gray) and applied it across 46 thumbnails, Reel covers, posters, and on-screen graphics.
  • Grew average clip views 2.5x (about 400 to 1,000+) by tracking watch percentage and publish time each week and adjusting thumbnails and upload times to match.
  • Rebuilt a nearly 200-page Notion workspace into about 100 pages organized under hub pages, after one-on-one interviews with coaches and a page-by-page audit.
  • Split the most-used member database into three, which fixed its slow load times.
  • Drew 14 workspace banners in Procreate and Canva.
Assistant Editor
The Mellon Life Podcast · Pittsburgh, PA
Sep 2025 – Present
  • Edit hour-long episodes in DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro X, building animated graphics that set up jokes and add context.
Summer Intern
Anaheim Union High School District, Education and IT Department · Anaheim, CA
Jun 2024 – Jul 2024
  • Worked with IT technicians to install and maintain computer lab infrastructure across 5 district schools serving 3,000+ students.

Projects

Artist and Level Designer
Pittsburgh Global Game Jam
Jan 2026 – Feb 2026
  • Made all the art and level layouts for a five-person team's game, reworking them each time the programmers and I found a mechanic that felt clunky.
3D Character and Prop Modeling
IDeATe: Introduction to 3D Animation, Carnegie Mellon University
Fall 2026
  • Took an original character from a 2D sketch to a textured 3D model: sculpted in ZBrush, retopologized and UV-unwrapped in Maya, then textured in Substance 3D Painter.
  • Modeled a Canon AE-1 camera and other hard-surface props in Maya.
Space Invaders and Pong Clones
Understanding Game Engines, Carnegie Mellon University
Fall 2026
  • Rebuilt both games in Unity with original art, scripting the gameplay and particle effects in C#.
  • Built a multi-stage boss fight where each appendage can be destroyed separately.

Leadership

President and Founder
Oxford Academy Video Game Development Club · Cypress, CA
Aug 2023 – May 2025
  • Founded a 20+ member game development club and wrote its semester-long Unity curriculum.
  • Recorded 20+ tutorial videos that walked members through each stage of making a game.
  • Ran playtests on the club's game and turned member feedback into changes for the next build.
  • Raised $500+ for a field trip to Obsidian Entertainment and a Q&A with industry professionals.
Team Leader and Tutor
Young Leaders of Orange County · Cypress, CA
Aug 2021 – May 2025
  • Wrote 50+ custom math worksheets in Canva for elementary and middle school students from low-income families, each tailored to one student.
  • Logged 370+ volunteer hours and received the President's Volunteer Service Award (Gold and Bronze).
Vice President and Treasurer
Oxford Academy STEM Math Club · Cypress, CA
Aug 2024 – May 2025
  • Taught problem-solving methods to prepare members for the AMC, managed the club budget, and raised $1,000+ for club activities.

Skills

Game Development
Unity (C# scripting, particle effects), Git, JetBrains Rider, Visual Studio
3D
Maya, ZBrush, Substance 3D Painter, Blender
2D and Design
Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, Canva, Figma, Sketch
Video and Editing
DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X, Premiere Pro
Programming
C#, Python, Java
Process
User interviews, content audits, iterative prototyping, playtesting, performance analytics

Activities

  • Game Creation Society, Carnegie Mellon University (Sep 2025 – Present)
  • AB Tech, Carnegie Mellon University (Sep 2025 – Present)
  • AUHSD Summer Film Academy (Jun 2023 – Jul 2023)