About me.

Hello there! I’m Dessy Markova, a senior real-time artist and creative based in Glasgow, Scotland.

I create immersive worlds across virtual production, film, animation, and interactive experiences, combining visual storytelling, art direction and real-time technology to bring ideas to life. From early concepts to final pixel, I enjoy working on exciting visuals, solving creative challenges, and building experiences that feel cinematic, atmospheric, and a little bit magical.

When you can’t find me behind the screen, I’m usually spending time with my cats or chasing sunshine whenever Scotland decides to allow it.

Experience.

Dimension Studio, London/Glasgow — 3D Artist

July 2022 - PRESENT

  • Lead and deliver real-time and cinematic projects across virtual production, animation, film, and interactive media 

  • Drive work across the full production pipeline, from concept and look development through previs, techvis, postvis, and final pixel

  • Collaborate with directors, producers, HoDs and multidisciplinary teams to shape and deliver the creative vision

  • Guide visual direction to ensure consistency and high-quality output across all stages of production

  • Integrate AI-assisted workflows to accelerate visual development and optimise production processes. 

  • Manage and support remote artists across multiple projects and production stages 

Baya Dynamic, London/Glasgow — Lead UE Artist

May 2022 - July 2022

  • Led the development of high-end real-time architectural visualisations in Unreal Engine for interior and exterior environments 

  • Delivered 3D modelling, texturing, lighting, and composition with a strong focus on realism and atmosphere for high end architects and interior designers

  • Established and optimised Unreal Engine pipelines and workflows

  • Delivered immersive VR and interactive experiences for clients and stakeholder

Soluis, Glasgow— Creative Lead/ Real-time Artist

October 2017 - May 2022

  • Led pre-production and visual development, translating briefs into immersive experiences and marketing collateral

  • Specialised in cinematics and narrative-driven visual direction across real-time projects

  • Delivered real-time experiences across VR, AR, and interactive walkthroughs

  • Collaborated with clients and multidisciplinary teams throughout production, supporting project management across timelines, budgets, and delivery 

  • Ensured cohesive, high-quality outcomes from concept to final delivery

Disney Research, Edinburgh— Digital Artist Associate

March 2017 - September 2017

  • Delivered real-time content across games, VR, AR, and short-form projects

  • Solved technical challenges to translate emerging tech into visual outcomes

  • Managed art projects, developing realistic and stylised concept work

  • Mentored students through Disney Research mentorship scheme

SKILLS

  • Art Direction & Look Development

  • Environment Design & Lighting

  • Layout & Set Dressing

  • Previs, Postvis & Techvis

  • Real-Time Cinematics

  • Virtual Production

  • AI-Assisted Creative Workflows

  • VR / AR Experiences

  • Client Collaboration & Delivery

  • Team Leadership

SOFTWARE

  • Unreal Engine 5 (Advanced)

  • 3ds Max

  • Maya

  • Blender

  • Substance Painter & Designer

  • Adobe Creative Suite

  • ComfyUI / Griptape

EDUCATION

  • Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK
    BSc (Hons) Digital Media Global September 2013 - July 2017

  • 2016, Hochschule der Medien, Stuttgart, Germany
    BA AudioVisual Media (exchange semester) March 2016 - July 2016

AWARDS & DEVELOPMENT

  • Creative Director course Central St Martins, July 2020

  • ‘IRIDiuM+ Deep-Media Storytelling With Non-linear Light-Field Video’
    ACM SIGGRAPH
    2017 VR Village. ACM, 2017.

  • “Real-time Rendering of Animated Light Fields”
    GI 2017