Bachelor of Computing - Communications and Media (Honours)
National University of Singapore - 2009
Nelson Lim
Associate Professor of Practice
Nelson, a creative technologist in Dallas, is an Associate Professor at UT Dallas and founder of Tech Arts Meetups. With 15+ years in CG, including at ILM, his work spans film, games, and XR. A VES member, he’s passionate about teaching VFX, Houdini, and real-time engines.
Professional Preparation
Research Areas
Computer Graphics, Technical Arts, Visual Effects and Real-time Graphics.Appointments
Board of Managers Member
Visual Effects Society [2024–Present]
I serve on the Board of Managers of the Visual Effects Society Texas Section. I also co-chair the Education Commitee of the VES Texas Section, where I organize educational activities for VES members as well as consult on Visual Effects, Games and Animation with schools and colleges.
Visual Effects Society [2024–Present]
I serve on the Board of Managers of the Visual Effects Society Texas Section. I also co-chair the Education Commitee of the VES Texas Section, where I organize educational activities for VES members as well as consult on Visual Effects, Games and Animation with schools and colleges.
Lead Technical Director
Brazen Animation [2015–2020]
Supervised and created computer graphics, visual effects and pipelines for animation, VFX and AR/VR projects. Projects and clients include, Riot Games, Fortnite, MacDonald's, Pocket Gems, Under Armour. Recruited, built and managed a team of Technical Artists and software developers. Developed custom studio pipelines for animation, VFX and real-time projects.
Brazen Animation [2015–2020]
Supervised and created computer graphics, visual effects and pipelines for animation, VFX and AR/VR projects. Projects and clients include, Riot Games, Fortnite, MacDonald's, Pocket Gems, Under Armour. Recruited, built and managed a team of Technical Artists and software developers. Developed custom studio pipelines for animation, VFX and real-time projects.
Technical Director
Industrial Light and Magic [2010–2015]
Created digital effects and developed tools for over 16 Hollywood feature films. Projects include, Pacific Rim, Marvel's The Avengers and Transformers: Age of Extinction. Interviewed candidates for technical hires. Mentored technical and FX talent.
Industrial Light and Magic [2010–2015]
Created digital effects and developed tools for over 16 Hollywood feature films. Projects include, Pacific Rim, Marvel's The Avengers and Transformers: Age of Extinction. Interviewed candidates for technical hires. Mentored technical and FX talent.
Software Engineer Intern
Lucasfilm [2008–2009]
Developed web applications that automated processes for studio operations, assets management, talent training, human-resource, games, visual effects and a library check-out system. Liaised closely with end-users from requirements, deployment, maintenance of applications and features.
Lucasfilm [2008–2009]
Developed web applications that automated processes for studio operations, assets management, talent training, human-resource, games, visual effects and a library check-out system. Liaised closely with end-users from requirements, deployment, maintenance of applications and features.
Knowledge Management Project Clerk
Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Singapore [2003–2005]
Planned and coordinated MINDEF KM Working Committee meetings amongst tri-service and Defense Science and Technology Agency. Conceptualised and oversaw pilot projects which shaped the future of MINDEF/Singapore Armed Forces enterprise-wide content management system. e.g. digital archival, E-Workplace Proof of Concept and digital security rights management. Consolidated and standardised the MINDEF intranet and website practices and protocols. These resulted in the removal of inactive websites, boosted content relevance and improved security practices to follow guidelines. Developed the Army, Air-Force and Navy intranet portals, that consequently saw a 5 fold increase in intranet usage as a result of greater content relevance, searchability and accessibility.
Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Singapore [2003–2005]
Planned and coordinated MINDEF KM Working Committee meetings amongst tri-service and Defense Science and Technology Agency. Conceptualised and oversaw pilot projects which shaped the future of MINDEF/Singapore Armed Forces enterprise-wide content management system. e.g. digital archival, E-Workplace Proof of Concept and digital security rights management. Consolidated and standardised the MINDEF intranet and website practices and protocols. These resulted in the removal of inactive websites, boosted content relevance and improved security practices to follow guidelines. Developed the Army, Air-Force and Navy intranet portals, that consequently saw a 5 fold increase in intranet usage as a result of greater content relevance, searchability and accessibility.
Additional Information
Nelson is a creative technologist, proud husband, and father of two young boys, based in Dallas, Texas.
As an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Texas at Dallas, Nelson is also the Founder of the Tech Arts Meetups and a distinguished member of the Visual Effects Society and ACM SIGGRAPH.
With over a decade of experience in the CG industry, Nelson's career spans feature film FX technical direction, software development, and CG supervision on more than 16 Hollywood blockbusters. His professional journey includes tenures at Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic, and Brazen Animation.
Nelson's expertise extends across a diverse array of projects, including film, games, commercials, visualization, and interactive XR experiences. His contributions have been integral to iconic titles such as Fortnite, League of Legends, Warcraft, Pacific Rim, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Marvel’s Avengers, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, as well as renowned brands like McDonald's, Under Armour, Disney, Lucasfilm, and Blizzard Entertainment.
Passionate about education, Nelson thrives in his role at UT Dallas' Bass School, where he inspires the next generation of artists and technologists. He frequently shares his insights at conferences, covering topics such as VFX, 3D animation, Houdini, real-time engines, technical arts, coding, and education.