Hi, my name is
Mikaela (Kelly) Carino.
Character Rigger / Technical Animator
Demo Reel Breakdown
I'm a software engineer who has come full circle - from studying art and design to building web applications at scale, and now creating character rigs and technical animation solutions for games. I leverage my technical background with Python, C++, and tools like Maya, MotionBuilder, and Unreal Engine to build dynamic character systems. Currently expanding my expertise through CG Spectrum's mentorship program while working on hands-on projects - check out what I'm building!
Featured Projects
Featured Project
Character Rig: Vi from Arcane
A detailed character rig featuring advanced limb control systems, dynamic secondary animations, and motion capture integration. This project showcases technical rigging through custom tool development and successful mocap data processing, demonstrating versatility in both rigging and animation workflows.
- Maya
- MotionBuilder
- Unreal Engine
- Python
- MEL
Featured Project
Modular Rigging Tool
A Python-based character rigging system for Maya that streamlines the rigging process through modular components and a guide-based workflow. This tool enables technical artists to create production-ready character rigs in a fraction of the time required for manual rigging.
- Python
- MEL
- Maya
Featured Project
Guiding Light
In "Guiding Light," I demonstrated C++ game programming skills by redesigning levels, creating a pixelated shader, developing a flickering lantern effect, and integrating Google Text-to-Speech for dialogue and button audio. This project showcased my focus on both innovative game design and accessibility for visually impaired users. This project was part of my entry for the Rookie Awards 2024, a prestigious competition spotlighting emerging talent in the creative industry.
- C++
- Blueprints
- Unreal Engine
Experience
Software Engineer II @ ServiceNow
June 2022 - January 2025
- Formerly know as Lightstep - acquired by ServiceNow.
- Spearheaded the development of innovative features in the Cloud Observability product, notably Notebooks, Change Intelligence, and Alerts, enhancing user experience and driving increased user engagement.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration, ensuring cohesive product features that resonate with user needs and streamline their journey.
- Managed multiple Jira projects from conception to completion, leading to timely product releases that consistently meet user expectations.
- Upheld best practices in code quality, ensuring a stable, reliable, and high-performing product for users.
Lead Game Programmer | Technical Artist @ Distance Over Time Studio
September 2023 - June 2024
- Worked on two collaborative projects
- Contributed to pre-production and development, ensuring cohesive design and execution
- Drove collaboration across art, narrative, design teams, and producers for end-to-end game development
- Implemented playtest feedback and bug fixes to improve game performance and user experience
- Managed deadlines to ensure timely project completion, bolstering the studio’s game jam presence
- Mentored junior members in GitHub use and programming workflows, promoting skill development
Software Engineer @ Sentry
March 2017 - June 2022
- Drove user experience enhancements, resulting in a more intuitive platform and increased user satisfaction.
- Redesigned user interfaces that significantly improved user interactions and feedback on the platform.
- Authored technical documentation for new features, reducing onboarding times and user queries.
-
Charted a trajectory of consistent professional growth, contributing to a variety of company objectives and projects, reflecting adaptability and a drive for excellence.
- Senior Support Engineer - July 2019 - March 2021
- Support Engineer - March 2017 - July 2019
Senior Community Support Manager @ Drop
January 2015 - February 2017
- Formerly known as Massdrop.
- Managed 12 employees, 2 onsite and 9 offsite, and collaborated with the offsite team’s Program Manager.
- Improved productivity by 60% for our offsite team by motivating the team to focus on a single KPI, which proved to drive corresponding metrics.
- Worked directly with our Project Managers and Development team to propose, develop, and release product features.
Education
CG Spectrum
2022 - Present | Online
Character Rigging
-
Character Rigging | 44 Weeks
- 1:1 Mentor led customized course
Other Courses
- Real-Time 3D Essentials | 12 Weeks
- Introduction to 3D Modeling | 12 Weeks
- Game Programming | 36 Weeks
- Introduction to Game Programming | 12 Weeks
Coding Dojo
2016 | Online
-
Frontend and Backend Web Development
- HTML/CSS
- JQuery
- Python
- Flask
- SQL
- API's and AJAX
- Django
- JavaScript
- Node.js
- MongoDB
- Express
- Angular
Certifications
CG Spectrum
April 06, 2024 | Online | Certificate
-
Real-Time 3D Essentials | 12 Weeks
- How to use a wide range of Unreal Engine features
- Basic animation and rigging skills
- Working with motion capture
- An overview of real-time and virtual production pipelines
CG Spectrum
January 24, 2024 | Online | Certificate
-
Introduction to 3D Modeling | 12 Weeks
- Maya and other common tools
- Profressional workflows
- Build 3D assets from scratch using 3D modeling techniques
- Textures in Substance Painter
CG Spectrum
September 14, 2023 | Online | Certificate
-
Introduction to Game Programming with Unreal Engine | 12 Weeks
- Introduction to the Unreal Engine editor and Blueprints
- How the editor interacts with C++ code
- Build levels, gameplay elements, input, collision, basic AI, UI, and audio
-
Intermediate Game Programming with Unreal Engine | 12 Weeks
- Advanced uses of Unreal Engine - character animations, particle effects, serialization, loading and streaming levels
Certified Digital Artist
August 2023 | Online | Certificate
- Certified Digital Artist: Game Design & Development - Gameplay Programming
CG Spectrum
October 20, 2022 | Online | Certificate
-
Introduction to Game Programming with C++ | 12 Weeks
- C++ fundamentals and advanced techniques
Awards
IGDA Foundation Virtual Exchange
September - October 2023 | Online
- Grantee of the IGDA Foundation Virtual Exchange Velocity Scholarship
About Me
Hello there! I'm Mikaela, but you can call me Kelly. I'm a self-taught frontend software engineer with a deep passion for video games. My journey into the world of gaming began with classics like Hexen and Doom during family LAN parties and the original Nintendo console.
As I reflect on titles like The Last of Us Part I & II, Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West, the Zelda series, and the Halo series, it becomes clear why they are my top picks. It's all about the immersive experiences and alternate realities they offer.
The immersive stories draw me in, making me feel emotionally connected to the characters and their struggles. Intricate narratives keep me engaged, often leaving me pondering the game's events long after I've finished playing.
Moreover, the stunning graphics in these titles transport me to beautifully rendered worlds, adding a visual depth to the gaming experience that is truly awe-inspiring. It's not just about playing a game; it's about being part of a visually breathtaking universe.
The inclusion of strong female protagonists in some of these games is another aspect I admire. It's empowering to see women take on central roles, demonstrating their strength, resilience, and complexity. These characters serve as powerful role models and contribute to the richness of the storytelling.
Finally, the gameplay itself is a key factor in my love for these games. The mechanics are well-designed, offering a perfect balance of challenge and enjoyment, making every moment of gameplay an absolute joy.
After studying art and design at SJSU, I shifted gears into software engineering, specializing in frontend development. I'm a passionate explorer of new technologies and programming languages within the gaming industry and I firmly believe that there's always room for growth and learning in a developer's journey. I'm excited to keep delving into the world of video games, eagerly anticipating the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Currently, I'm expanding my horizons by delving into game development through courses in C++, Unreal Engine, 3D Modeling, Real-Time 3D, and Character Rigging at CG Spectrum.
Here are the technologies I've been working with recently:
- Unreal Engine
- C++
- Maya
- TypeScript
- Python
- Substance Painter
- JavaScript
- MotionBuilder
- ReactJS
