Hello! I'm Dave Pasciuto, founder of Chimirus. For over 20 years, I've been working in the game industry as an artist and art director. My journey began in the early '90s at NuFx Inc., a third-party developer primarily working on Electronic Arts games. After moving to L.A. (to learn at Gnomon and pursue my VFX career) my position was filled by Roger Yuen, though we wouldn't meet until years later.

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Our paths finally crossed when EA acquired NuFx (renamed EA Chicago) and I returned to Chicago. Roger and I bonded over countless hours creating art, enjoying foodie adventures, engaging in office Nerf wars, and even trudging through blizzards for late-night mini-tacos during crunch time.

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Since then, I've worked at numerous game and marketing studios, building art teams at companies like EA, Robomodo, and most recently, Iron Galaxy. Throughout this journey, I've grown from an Associate Artist to a Senior Artist, Lead, Director, and even worked as a Freelancer too. I've built and managed art production teams, pipelines, and created concept art, character art, environments, UI/UX, animation, and motion design, gaining extensive experience in applying—and hiring for — these game art roles.

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At heart, I'm an artist. I've lived as an artist, grown as an artist, and now thrive as a Director who can share my experiences with the next generation of artists. Everything I know comes from three decades of hands-on work developing games, video content, movies, and even print materials. I'm grateful to have built a career I love while collaborating with so much incredible talent that helped me grow along the way.

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I see today's aspiring artists facing new challenges—oversaturated markets, an overwhelming number of applicants for jobs, plain ol' confusion, and the added pressure of learning platforms. Between YouTube and countless colleges claiming to offer "Game Development" programs, it's hard to know where to turn. After years of teaching at various institutions, I found most curriculums leave students without the relevant skills or portfolio development needed to land their dream jobs.

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So, how do you know what to do? How do you land your dream job? The answer goes beyond taking classes or simply creating art. You need a clear action plan and direction before starting your journey.

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This realization is why I founded Chimirus. My own career journey showed me that artists need a different approach—a personalized learning experience with the right information, network, and strategy. I support other artists because I remember the challenges of breaking into this industry and navigating career growth.

No one should have to figure it all out alone.

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Chimirus exists as a source of inspiration, education, and community. I firmly believe professionals should give back and teach their profession, focusing on the exact skills required for success in the game industry. I invite you to join us on our journey so we can help you on yours!

Sincerely,