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Waner Li

HELLO !

My name is Waner Li.

I am a designer who focuses on design and technology. I am very passionate about exploring the combination of design and technology, as I believe merging aesthetic elements that express emotions with standardized numerical sciences is a wonderful thing. My work embodies interdisciplinary elements to the fullest. The medium I use the most is games. In creating each game, I handle everything from plotting the storyline to artistic design, coding, and audio. Artistic design is a major focus for me, involving 3D modeling, animation, lighting, UI design, and VFXs. Beyond games, my work extends to various aspects of digital media, including AR experience, web design and animation, as well as graphic design, such as digital posters and illustrations. Additionally, I am also involved in wearable art design, both in analog and digital forms.

Education

2021/08-2025/05

Parsons School of Design — Bachelor of Design and Technology

Experiences

2024/05 - 2024/08

Taomee Entertainment

Character Modeler
  • Created high-quality 3D models and textures for characters, garments and accessories.
  • Collaborated with other artists and developers to enhance interactive experiences.
2022 - Now

Freelance

Freelance 3D Artist & Game Designer
  • Produced 3D assets and textures, including props, architectures, environment and characters or creatures.
  • Independently or collaboratively designed and developed multiple game demos under Game Jam constraints.
  • CG animation production, utilized professional tools for modeling, rendering, and animation composition, handling character animation, scene animation, and VFX design.

Skills

  • Game Design & Development
  • 3D Modeling & Animation
  • Graphic Design
  • Video Editing
  • Web Design
  • AR Experience
  • Handcrafting
Unity Maya ZBrush Blender Substance Painter marmoset Photoshop Illustrator After Effects Premiere Pro Aero

Works

Game 2025-05
Work 1

Bad Seed

A puzzle game with a juvenile crime backstory. Players can possess others to use different identities and solve environmental puzzles. Targets must be eliminated indirectly, without using weapons.

Mixed Media 2025-05
Work 2

Jewelry & Headwear design and prototype

A wearable jewelry & headwear prototype inspired by the ornate curves and floral motifs of Rococo architecture. Designed digitally using 3D modeling, the headpiece and matching hand accessory explore elegance and asymmetry through form and flow.

Wearable art 2025-02
Work 1

Wearable Art

This wearable art piece is a nautilus-inspired ear cuff using paper folding and laser cutting techniques to explore the connection between geometry, nature, and fashion. The piece reflects on marine life and our relationship with endangered species.

3d-modeling 2025-01
Work 1

Robots

A realistic 3D robot model created following a full PBR production pipeline, featuring both hard-surface mechanical and organic components.

3d-modeling 2025-01
Work 1

Full 3D Asset Production-Stylized Sword

Stylized game sword modeled and textured based on a concept by ZUGZUG studio. Includes full pipeline from high poly sculpt to optimized low poly with emissive and hand-painted textures.

3d-modeling 2024-12
Work 1

Character Modeling and Animation-Dragon

This project showcases a complete 3D character/creature workflow of a dragon, including modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, lighting, animation and rendering.

Modeling & Animation 2024-10
Work 1

Motion Graphics Animation

A motion graphics animation made with MASH in Maya, featuring procedurally animated geometry arranged in rhythmic, pattern-based movement.

3d-modeling 2024-09
Work 1

Environment Modeling-Tiny House

A self-designed realistic 3D house with fully modeled interior and exterior elements, realistic materials, and final lighting and rendering.

Mixed Media 2024-05
Work 1

Waste and Injustices

A research-driven project addressing the environmental and social issues in the vegetable supply system caused by cosmetic standards for crops. It aims to shift consumer expectations toward more sustainable farming by promoting a less traditional and didactic education campaign and boost customers to buy ugly crops in a interesting way.

3d-modeling 2024-05
Work 1

Environment Modeling-Harbour

A stylized harbor environment modeled and textured based on reference images, with hand-built assets, simplified materials, and final lighting and rendering.

3d-modeling 2024-04
Work 1

Environment Modeling & Animation-Drifting Island

A dreamy outdoor scene with numerous small islands float on the water and surrounded by clouds. These islands are covered with strange but beautiful plants, and peculiar creatures houses scattered across them. Drifting along the river with a swing, one can enjoy the surreal landscapes along the way.

3d-modeling 2024-03
Work 1

Environment Modeling-Sorcerer's Cottage

A stylized 3D environment of a sorcerer's cottage. Modeled all assets and applied hand-painted textures with bold colors. Simple animations were added to enhance the scene, including swaying vines, bubbling potion, a rocking cat, flickering candle flamesand, and floating eyeballs swirling inside a crystal ball.

3d-modeling 2024-03
Work 1

Toy Modeling-POP MART skull panda the imagination

Reproducing Skull Panda–The Imagination, a popular designer toy from POP MART.

3d-modeling 2024-02
Work 1

Character Modeling-Unicorn

Modeling and texturing a stylized 3D character of a unicorn, designed with a playful and cartoon-like aesthetic.

3d-modeling 2024-02
Work 1

3D Modeling-Phoenix

A small stylized scene featuring a phoenix in front of a traditional Chinese window.

Game Prototype 2023-12
Work 1

Eggs

A resource management sim set on a dynamic chicken farm.

Developed over 3 weeks under the theme “Eggs,” this prototype simulates the daily operations of a small chicken farm. Players feed chickens, manage hunger-driven egg production, respond to changing weather, and deliver eggs or livestock to fulfill market demands.

Game Prototype 2023-11
Work 1

Carpet Cleaning 2

Ever wanted to powerwash... with a pinball?

A sequel to my original “Carpet Cleaning” prototype. Expanded into a business simulation format, this version introduces multiple cleaning tools, including foam brushes and a rinse function. A scoring system evaluates cleaning performance, and your machine can also be upgraded as the game progresses.

Game Prototype 2023-10
Work 1

Pet Boarding

Take care, snap fast, keep tails wagging.

A simple management game built in 1 week around the prompt “In View.” Players run a dog boarding facility, managing hunger and happiness levels of multiple dogs while responding to sudden photo requests from their owners.

Game Prototype 2023-10
Work 1

Out of Time

Stop the clocks, escape the fall.

Created in 1 week under the prompt “Out of Time,” this prototype explores time manipulation through spatial mechanics. The player navigates an isometric puzzle environment where falling platforms are controlled by nearby clocks. By shooting arrows to destroy the clocks, players can stop time in localized areas and progress safely.

Game Prototype 2023-10
Work 1

One Pipe

Halloween candy delivery gone wrong.

Candy Pipeline is a Halloween-themed puzzle game created in 1 week for the theme “One.” Players must rotate pipe segments to form a single uninterrupted path from a candy source to a ghost. A particle system is used to visualize candy flow, and player success or failure triggers visual feedback based on candy delivery.

Game Prototype 2023-10
Work 1

Leave Home-Undersea Adventure

An underwater survival journey with purpose.

A 1-week exploration-survival prototype created under the theme “Leave Home.” Players control a clownfish navigating a vast underwater world in search of a healing potion. The game incorporates NPC-based quests, environmental hazards, and survival variables like hunger and temperature. Progression is tied to helping key NPCs and acquiring essential items for the final challenge.

Game Prototype 2023-10
Work 1

Rabbit Arcade

A vertical platformer packed with arcade chaos.

A vertical 2D platformer created in 1 week under the theme “Arcade.” Players push boxes, trigger pressure plates, and dodge enemies through five levels with a fixed-camera layout. The game emphasizes chaotic visuals, layered sound effects, and a high-score system inspired by retro arcade design.

Game Prototype 2023-09
Work 1

Carpet Cleaning

Ever wanted to powerwash... with a pinball?

Developed in 1 week under the prompt “Bouncing,” Carpet Cleaning is a 2D physics-based game where players control a platform to redirect a bouncing cleaning ball. As the ball collides with different parts of the carpet, it gradually reveals the clean area beneath. The objective is to maximize coverage within a time limit.

Game Prototype 2023-09
Work 1

Exam Panic

You're late, your room’s a mess, and your future depends on a pen.

A first-person search prototype made in 1 week themed “Awkward Moment.” Players navigate a cluttered room under time pressure to find the correct pen for an exam. The game features post-processing effects for blur and color grading, and environment setup to create tension and immersion.

Game Prototype 2023-09
Work 1

Stack ‘n Serve

"I'd like an OOOREREOREO cookie"
Stack it right… or stack it weird.

A prototype created in 1 week built around the theme “Stacks on,” simulating a cookie shop where players assemble Oreo-inspired cookies based on customer orders. This game draws inspiration from Papa’s Burgeria and the absurdity of Oreo memes. It balances structured tasks with creative freedom to encourage player experimentation.

Game Prototype 2023-09
Work 1

POP

Pop the bad, protect the good.

A reaction-based game prototype developed in 1 week under the theme “Pop.” Players interact with floating sprites protected by bubbles, tasked with popping bubbles on hostile entities while preserving the friendly ones. The game combines basic physics triggers, coroutine timing, and UI feedback to create a complete gameplay loop within a short development cycle.

Game Prototype 2023-05
Work 1

ESCape

Find the keys. Escape the system.

In this surreal exploration game, the player is pulled into a computer and must recover the letters E, S, and C to escape—mirroring the real-life "Escape" key. Each zone of the game represents a different corner of a fragmented operating system, blending abstract puzzles.

Game Prototype 2023-04
Work 1

Lullaby

Alone. Awake. Afraid.

A horror-themed visual novel that explores a child’s fear of isolation during a stormy night. Through introspective narration, subtle visual cues, and a haunting soundscape, the player experiences the creeping dread of being home alone—where every shadow could be something more. This game delves into psychological horror through minimal but emotionally impactful storytelling.

Game Prototype 2023-04
Work 1

Jelly World

Bounce your way through jelly worlds and unlock your true potential.

A vibrant 3D platformer where every surface is made of bouncy jelly. Players must navigate through obstacle-filled levels by leveraging physics-based movement and gradually unlocking new abilities, like grappling hook.