About Me
My name is Brandon Hix, and I love creating custom, photorealistic 3D graphics and animations.
For over 15 years, I’ve been perfecting my craft working as a 3D artist in TV, Film, and commercials for IPs such as Hasbro’s G.I. Joe and Transformers. I’ve also worked with many large corporate clients such as Ascension St. John, Caesar’s Palace, Tito’s Vodka, and Delta Airlines.
I specialize in producing photorealistic 3D visualizations and dynamic animations that showcase products in a larger-than-life way. Whether you need polished, photorealistic CG product imagery for digital display, captivating attention-grabbing animation for product advertisements or explainers, or detailed 3D assets built to exacting specifications for your productions, I’m your secret weapon. I strive to deliver stunning visuals that grab attention, connect with people on an emotional level, and ultimately drive up engagement so you achieve the best results.
My Services
These are the types of services I love providing for my clients
Virtual Product Creation
Investing in creating a 3D model (aka: a digital clone) of your product means it can be used as an asset in as many projects for e-commerce listings, advertisements, and animations as you wish. Updates are fast, efficient, and cost a fraction of a photoshoot or video production.
Product Animation
3D animation opens up a whole new world of possibilities for advertising, interaction, and educational content. Showcasing your products in new and creative ways keeps your message front of mind for your customers and drives up their engagement.
Past Projects
Below are some samples of my 3D product visualization and animation work
Lightsaber Game Prop
I built this prop for a fictional Star Wars game to more deeply explore the triple A (AAA) asset creation pipeline for next generation games. The challenge was to create a weapon that could be utilized in a modern AAA game with the appropriate specs to keep it looking photorealistic but also function efficiently during real-time gameplay.
Clear-Tone Hearing Aids
For this project, I created a custom model of a new hearing aid that was just introduced to the market for Clear-Tone. I was able to create some 3D animation to showcase the unique features of the device and integrate these animations in with live action video of subjects with visual effects.
Excalibur Crossbow Model
For Excalibur Crossbow, I provided 3D CAD files which I retopologized in order to make them lighter weight and easier to animate for commercials. I created a custom model from the ground up with clean geometry, clean UVs, and created realistic materials and textures.
Bowtech Crossbow Models and Animation
For this project, I optimized 3D CAD files for animation and rendering from Bowtech Archery. I also extended the models with custom pieces of each bow assembly and created realistic materials and textures. Finally, I provided custom animations to highlight specific features of each bow.
HVAC Models and Animation
Each commercial HVAC unit has unique challenges in the design and the installation. For this project, I helped RL Hudson highlight some of their unique solutions for HVAC units which lengthen the lifespan of certain parts and provide more efficient solutions.
I was able to provide animations that help their clients visualize the placement of custom parts and highlight their unique features over the competition. For the custom parts, I used both CAD files as well as photo reference to create 3D models suitable for animation for a tradeshow presentation.
Custom Guitar Model
This guitar was a project I used to help optimize my workflow for 3D modeling and texturing products with unique designs and materials. Each piece of the guitar was modeled from scratch using photo reference and schematics I found researching online. I also had a lot of fun designing the poster below featuring high quality renders of the Gibson model 335 custom guitar and some close-up renders showcasing the details.
“Spear of Destiny” Relic Model
This began as a personal project I used to expand my digital sculpting, model optimization, and texture painting skills. This is a 3D model of The Holy Lance relic housed in a museum in Vienna, Austria.
Later, I was approached by Spectres.io to acquire the rights to my 3D model of the spear so they could develop a limited edition collectible coin at their mint. In collaboration with Spectres, I was able to modify the digital sculpture for their purposes.
What My Clients Say
These are some testimonials from some of my clients
Brandon’s skill set is unmatched. His various talents and abilities make him a vital part of any project. However, it’s his character and work ethic that set him apart from the competition. You can trust Brandon to always find ways to lift your ideas to the next level and to deliver a product that inspires a positive response from your customer.
I have collaborated on many different projects with Brandon. He is very well-versed in digital design process, from concept to conception. Along with his technical mastery, he brings a developed artistic and creative eye to each project all while maintaining a high degree of professionalism in regards to costs and timelines. You can never go wrong when Hix is in the mix.
If you can imagine it, this guy can make it happen. Nothing is beyond his 3D capabilities. Look no further and make Brandon Hix your go-to guy for 3D animation.
Brandon is a deeply skilled and technical artist. His quality of work, attention to detail, and solid work-ethic have impressed me time-and-time again. I Highly Recommend Him!!
I’ve worked with Brandon on many different projects and on every single one of them he has absolutely knocked them out of the park. His 3D modeling and animations are always exactly what I need to impress my clients. He’s a master of his craft and is always making sure he is on the top of his game. I can’t recommend him enough!
Brandon’s modeling and texture skills solve complex problems for our 3D needs in animation. He has a precise attention-to-detail all while producing a high-quality execution and reliable output. Brandon is an excellent communicator, understands projects beyond a single-layered task completion and keeps to his commitments – all which keep projects on time and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions I often receive. Click to toggle the answer, and if you still have some more questions, shoot me a message from the contact section!
I have experience across a wide variety of disciplines in 3d graphics and video production including: 3d modeling, texturing, lighting, animation, rigging, rendering, editing, and compositing. However, after many years working in different parts of the industry and on a variety of projects I am now specializing in the following niches:
- virtual product creation
- product animation
If you have a specific request for your project that falls outside of these areas of service, feel free to reach out and I may still be able to help!
Yes! Typically, I will provide a couple of revisions for each milestone of the project. I can always accommodate more revisions at an additional hourly rate. When you reach out for a quote I will outline the revision info along with any hourly rates or fees in the project terms.
Absolutely! I have extensive experience catering my services and developing assets for various software and platforms for my clients. Let me know if you have a specific request and I can share more about my process.
Yes! I have an extensive background creating high resolution still renders as well as cinematic animations and motion designs for products and environments.
- Quote
- Contract Signing and Deposit
- a contract for your signature that reflects in greater detail what we agreed to during our conversations and from the quote I provided
- a project brief clearly outlining the deliverables for the project, the project milestones, and the estimated timeline
- Onboarding
- Pre-Production
- Research
- Design
- Report
- Production
- Post Production
- Revisions
- Polish
- Payment and Delivery
- Payment
- Packaging
- Delivery
As we begin discussions about your project through email, calls, or virtual meetings, I will compile a list of your project needs including: deliverables, budget, and timeline. After I understand your needs, I will provide a quote for my services based on our conversations which will include the cost for project deliverables, my terms for working conditions and payment, and a rough estimated timeline for delivery.
After we reach an agreement to proceed, I will provide:
Your signature will be required and the initial deposit we agree on must be paid before I’m able to move forward with the project. Additional payments will be expected throughout the life of the project at the delivery of key milestones and/or the remainder of payment in full at the end of the project based on the payment arrangement outlined in the contract.
At this point, I will begin the process of adding your project to my project management system and connecting with you to gather any resources I may need to begin the project (e.g. references, designs, project files, etc.).
During this phase of the project I will conduct any research required to aid in the creation of designs or to help maintain accuracy during the production phase.
Depending on the project needs, I will often develop designs for assets, documentation such as scripts, or visual aids such as storyboards to ensure we’re on the same page before beginning work on the project.
Before beginning production on the project, I’ll touch base with you and provide a compilation of my research and plans for your approval.
During the production phase, I’ll be working towards completing the bulk of the project and checking in with you during the completion of key milestones to get your feedback and approval. These milestones will be clearly outlined in the pre-production reporting phase so you know what to expect from me and at what intervals.
Based on previous discussions and the contract agreement, during the first portion of the post production phase I’ll provide the agreed upon number of revisions if necessary. If accommodations are needed for additional revisions, those can be arranged now.
During this phase, and after any revision work has been completed and locked with your approval, any remaining touchups or details necessary to bring the project deliverables up to the appropriate level of finish for delivery are completed.
Once the final pass is complete and you have signed off on the preview of the final deliverables, I will send an invoice for the final payment for any balance that is still due for the remainder of the project. This will need to be paid before I can deliver your files.
After payment is received, I will begin the process of packaging any files for your project for delivery to you through digital download link(s).
To wrap the project, I will send a final email or other communication including a link to download the deliverables for your project.
Short answer—as involved as you would like to be!
I work with many different types of clients. Some own their own businesses and some operate within larger organizations in leadership positions. Some enjoy being more hands-on with the creative process based on their strengths while others enjoy delegating more and leaving the creative decision making to a veteran such as myself. There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ ways to approach your involvement. So, it can range quite a bit depending on your personality, your comfort level, budget constraints, and your needs based in relation to your organization, your client, and the project itself.
What’s important is that you’re comfortable with your level of involvement and that we clearly express our expectations for involvement before beginning the project. Then throughout the project, if we need to make adjustments or have more discussions about the creative process then we can definitely do that. I’m very flexible and I’ve been in positions in the past where I have been hired to simply execute on an existing creative vision and likewise I’ve also been in positions where I was expected to wear multiple hats and drive the creative vision and process the entire way.
I can work with you to make any accommodations necessary, but it’s vital that we establish communication early around boundaries and roles so that I can be as autonomous as possible within the project so that you have everything you need from me without feeling like it’s necessary to micromanage the project because trust has been lost.
This depends on the deliverables that are established during the quoting process. File formats can range from images (e.g. jpeg, PNG, PSD) to videos (e.g. MOV, MP4) to files that relate to other assets for the project such as 3d models or project files (e.g. BLEND, OBJ, FBX, etc.)
Generally, you will receive files that are in their final ‘delivery’ format which are smaller in size and easier to manage than the project files used to generate the final files.
If additional files are needed, there may be additional costs or fees associated with providing these, but all of the costs associated will be clearly outlined and expressed in the quote and/or contract before the beginning of the project. In the event that you realize you need additional files, I can provide a quick quote if any additional costs are associated with providing those files to you.
Of course! I have an extensive background as a traditional artist as well and I’ve often been hired to produce sketches or designs myself. Being able to take these rougher concepts and interpret them as I begin building the three dimensional versions is an essential skill that is fundamental to this type of work.
In addition, if you require custom sketches or concept art for your project I can also provide a quote for those services as well.
All of my quotes are presented based on a project rate. Occasionally, if I commit additional time to a project for a reason such as an extra revision or something else that falls outside of the original agreement I will contract with clients at an hourly rate, but this is rare.
Yes, all projects require an upfront deposit to help with costs associated with starting a new project (e.g. purchasing assets, access to subscriptions or tools required for the project).
Typically, I require a 50% deposit of the project total upfront and the remaining 50% due upon completion and final approval of the project before I deliver. However, depending on the size of the project, the timeline involved, and other factors I will make accommodations for alternate payment plans to help split up the financial obligation into smaller installments. If you would like to discuss an alternate payment plan then please reach out and I will let you know if I feel it is appropriate for your project.
I accept credit, debit, and bank transfers. If you would like to discuss alternate methods of payment then I’m more than happy to talk through specifics; however, I cannot promise I will be able to take another form of payment.
Typically no. Any additional costs or fees will be clearly outlined in the quote and the contract that you sign at the beginning of the project.
If there are any incidental costs (such as assets that need to be purchased) during a project, I will make you aware with a detailed explanation and send you an invoice; however, this is a rare occurrence. Typically, I will know from the quoting phase of a project 90-95% of the costs associated with completing it.
In terms of additional costs that you may encounter, these are some examples that are typical:
- Out of Scope Tasks: If it becomes apparent that I will need to provide additional time or services for your project then I will discuss the necessary work so we can reach an agreement followed by a supplemental quote outlining either a project or hourly rate for the additional work with a breakdown of costs associated with milestones for the tasks.
- Asset Licenses: Often times for larger projects it will be necessary to purchase stock assets for textures, designs, models, etc. as a foundation for making customizations and to save time.
- Subscription Fees: These may be in the form of fees associated with temporary access to creative software or resources required for the completion of the project.
- Archival Storage Fee: If requested, I can backup your project files in multiple locations in the event that you need to recover them or hire me to make modifications to them in the future. This is not a requirement, but is recommended for peace of mind and to help expedite any future work associated with revisiting the project.
Due to the nature of these types of services, all sales are final and I do not offer refunds; however, your satisfaction is paramount. I will always try to work with you to find an amiable solution to any issues that arise so you are satisfied to the best of my ability.
Solutions may vary depending on the project, but typically most issues can be resolved with some additional revision time and a compromise of some sort.
Rest assured, there will be many opportunities before work begins and during the project to make adjustments and offer your stamp of approval at certain milestones so there are no surprises. This safeguards both you and I against any last minute discretionary objections to the results of the work and is the reason why regular communication is vital to ensure we have a great working experience together.
This can vary widely depending on the type of project including key factors such as your required deliverables and the complexity of the subject matter. Typical timelines range from a few days to a week for smaller projects and a few weeks to months for larger projects. Turnaround times can also be impacted by the current number of projects already on the schedule.
Yes! As a veteran in multiple industries, I’m very familiar with the need for fast turnarounds.
I will do my best to accommodate the needs of your schedule; however, in a typical month I’m juggling multiple clients and multiple projects with their own schedules. With that said, you will know what my availability is from the very beginning of our conversation about your project. And I will not take on your project if I’m unable to meet your deadline.
For any special requests involving a faster turnaround for your project there will be an additional rush fee of 30% added to the subtotal on the quote for your project.
Hey, I get it, things happen! This is completely understandable and I will do my best to accommodate any needs that arise due to unforeseen changes in scope. Communication here is key. If something unavoidable happens and we need to adjust expectations then I will do my best to work with you to find a solution that has minimal impact to the costs associated with changing the scope during the project.
The only exception to this is when scope creep is the culprit for the changes. Scope creep happens when gradual requests that deviate from the agreed upon work occur over time and balloon up out of control. This isn’t due to an emergency but rather a failure to adhere to our agreed upon scope of work in an attempt to get me to commit to providing more work for free. When scope creep happens, I will reach out and have a frank discussion with you about it so we can address it appropriately. If it continues, I reserve the right to cancel the remainder of the contract for breach.
I have extensive experience working with clients in the industrial manufacturing, promotional products, and collectibles industries.
I also have a career spanning decades working alongside advertising agencies, film studios, and post production houses.
In addition, I’ve worked on projects creating fully 3d animated episodic content for television as well as props and environment assets for games.
Of course! I have many repeat clients that I’ve done work with that I’m happy to connect you with for a reference.
I also have an extensive portfolio spanning decades and my best work is featured here on the portfolio section of the website.
Please be aware, I’m not able to discuss the full extent of my business because I regularly enter into non disclosure agreements and I’m also prevented from showcasing recent work until my clients give me permission to share it publicly. If you have any questions, reach out and we can chat!
Absolutely, I’ve spent my career coming alongside existing teams and providing support as well as executing on my own as a solo freelancer.
From the very beginning of the project, I outline my intentions through carefully documented milestones unique to your project and set expectations so you aren’t left wondering what is happening over large gaps in communication.
At every key milestone you will receive an update from me seeking your official approval so that you’re in the loop about how your project is coming along. Additionally, any revisions will be sent to you requesting your feedback and approval before I continue any work.
I have several tools I prefer to use to expedite communication. The five most common are email, Discord, Slack, Frame.io, and Google Drive.
- First and foremost, I communicate all big picture updates and requests for decisions through email. If I need a signature on a contract or I’m requesting approval on a key milestone I often send an email to establish a consistent timeline for easy reference in the future. I also prefer to keep most emails within a single subject line as a continual reply to a single message so I’m being mindful of your inbox and not cluttering it up too much.
- For more real-time feedback, I prefer to use Discord for clients that are comfortable being onboarded into my own project management pipeline. This is a free tool that is easy to use and is a modern chat application.
- Frequently larger studios or clients with teams will add me to their own communication pipelines and I find Slack channels are the most commonly used tool for bigger organizations. Slack is a larger chat application that is a paid tool which includes many more integrations and features for businesses.
- I utilize Frame.io to share animations and videos that require your approval or feedback. This service is extremely simple to use and allows for feedback at specific times during the video along with options for making notations on different frames of the video for drawing attention to specific areas and providing very detailed commentary.
- For file management, cloud storage, and final delivery of your project files, I use Google Drive. This is a robust service capable of providing many layers of protection and backup options for project files and easy methods for sharing downloadable links for delivering small to large files.
If you have another preferred method of communication or a tool you would like to discuss using for your project, I’m happy to discuss it with you!
Yes! Many of my clients over the years have been located outside the United States. I’m proud to have worked with clients from all over the world.
Typically, you do, but there are exceptions.
I treat most of the projects I work on for my clients as ‘work for hire’ type projects. In a ‘work for hire’ situation, I’m being brought on to facilitate the execution of a pre-existing vision and what I’m being compensated for are my time and my experience. In a ‘work for hire’ style project, you own all of the copyrights for the files I provide.
- The only right I reserve is the ability to use the files I have provided for your project as promotional materials in my portfolio to aid in pursuing business with future clients.
- For any self promotion, I would coordinate with you so that it doesn't impact your project, your timelines, or your business.
- Aside from self promotional material, I would require your permission to use the assets generated for your project for any other purpose.
Some projects fall outside of a ‘work for hire’ category and would also include additional requests for my design services or consultation and strategy. In these types of projects, in addition to providing my time and experience as an artist, I’m most likely providing uniquely designed intellectual property and advice for implementing the assets I provide for your business.
- In this case, I would discuss the option to purchase the copyrights for the intellectual property I generate for your project and this would be added as a line item to your quote at the beginning of the project.
- If you did not wish to purchase the exclusive copyrights for the intellectual property I generate for your project then you would only be charged for my time and expertise; however, I would then be able to repurpose any unique intellectual property I generated during the course of your project for any other project as I saw fit. The only exception would be that I would not be able to infringe upon any pre-existing intellectual property of yours (e.g. logos, designs, patents, trademarks, etc.)
Yes, of course! All of the content that I create for your project is created with the intent that it will be used for commercial purposes.
Any content that I create from scratch is of course protected for such use cases. And any stock content that I source for your project would be done with a commercial license agreement to protect its use for commercial endeavors for the project that you hired me to create for you.
However, it’s important to note that the license for stock assets does not extend beyond the scope of the project I was hired for. If you wish to utilize the stock content for a different project you would need to acquire your own license for each unique project.
I do provide an option to keep an archived copy of your project and all related files backed up to both a local hard drive and on a cloud service for future retrieval. This service is a separate, but very affordable, cost.
If you would like to have me archive your project for future updates or just as a backup in case of an emergency let me know and I can add this service to your quote!
I use a variety of software depending on the type of assets I’m creating or tasks I’m performing. Here’s a list of the most common software I utilize in my work:
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Substance Designer
- Adobe Substance Painter
- Blender
- ChatGPT
- DaVinci Resolve Studio
- DaVinci Fusion Studio
- Marmoset Toolbag
- Unreal Engine
- ZBrush
I also have experience with the following software in case it is needed:
- Autodesk 3DS Max
- Autodesk Maya
- Nuke
- Plasticity
- SideFX Houdini
Yes! I’m very familiar with production pipelines and requirements for manufacturing, visual effects for TV and film, as well as game development. If you have a specific use in mind please reach out and I will let you know if it’s something I can help with.
Absolutely! There’s no point in hiring me to create something that looks amazing if you aren’t able to use it to its full potential on your end.
Unless you share some specific concerns, I will assume you are prepared to implement the deliverable files on your end without my help; however, I’m available to discuss implementation of the files so you know generally what is needed without any additional charge.
If it turns out you need more hands on help implementing my deliverable files into your pipeline or another third party system then let me know and I’m happy to provide an additional quote for this service.