Matthew W Paulson

Matthew W Paulson serves as Adjunct Professor in Entertainment Design while maintaining his industry role as Supervisor and Lead Modeler at DreamWorks Animation. With over 25 years of experience since joining Viewpoint Datalabs in 1994, he has contributed to landmark animated features including Shrek, Space Jam, Independence Day, and the How to Train Your Dragon franchise where he developed iconic characters like Toothless.

Education:

• BFA in Industrial Design with minor in Japanese, Brigham Young University (1998)

Paulson's expertise centers on the critical intersection of artistic vision and technical execution in 3D modeling. His work specifically advances character and environment creation methodologies for feature animation, emphasizing pipeline optimization through tools like the award-winning 'Doris' system. This focus on practical, production-tested techniques directly informs his academic instruction in advanced modeling workflows.

Professional Recognition:

• Technical Achievement Award from DreamWorks Animation (2014) for 'Doris' modeling pipeline development

In his academic capacity, Paulson mentors students through Modeling 2 (EANI-265-01) and Portfolio 2 (EANI-453-01) courses, translating his studio leadership experience into actionable training for animation careers. His dual industry-academic perspective provides students with rare access to current production methodologies rather than theoretical concepts.

At DreamWorks, Paulson leads modeling teams for major productions, having established foundational approaches for the studio's animation pipeline since its inception following the PDI acquisition in 2000. His departmental leadership continues to shape how 3D assets are created for contemporary animated features.