Meet Katerina Lair: Our New 3D Art Director

We’re thrilled to welcome Katerina (Nico) Lair as our new 3D Art Director at Two Robots Unleashed! With her incredible talent and diverse experience, Katerina is set to elevate the visual magic of Two Robots Unleashed and our upcoming project, Rennova.

A Journey in 3D Artistry

Katerina brings a wealth of expertise to our team, with a career spanning 3D modeling, technical artistry, and game development. As a freelance 3D modeler since May 2024, she’s sculpted creatures and props for board games and figurines, ensuring client visions come to life through constant communication and rigorous testing with her own resin printer. Her skills in Maya, ZBrush, and digital sculpting shine through in every detailed piece she creates.

Before freelancing, Katerina spent three years as a Technical Artist at Hero Forge (2021–2024), where she developed models for props, face assets, and creatures while streamlining workflows. She built tools to boost team productivity, refined color mask systems, and even spearheaded outsourcing efforts to keep focus on core tasks. Her ability to mentor junior artists and integrate 3D assets into pipelines shows her knack for leadership and collaboration—qualities we’re excited to see in action at TRU.

Katerina’s earlier roles further highlight her versatility. At Monocle Society (2018–2019), she worked on AR projects with Magic Leap, optimizing textures and animations while setting artistic standards. She also contributed to mobile games at Daring Hero (2018), modeling dragons with precision and adapting to specific visual styles. Her time at mtb design works (2018) saw her crafting environments and props for 4D gameplay, always meeting tight deadlines.

Her roots in education are just as inspiring. As a Teacher Assistant at DigiPen Institute of Technology (2017–2018), Katerina taught Maya modeling, texturing, and rigging to students, helping young artists and programmers bring their 2D and 3D game projects to life. Her passion for mentorship aligns perfectly with our small, collaborative team culture.

Showcasing Katerina’s Stunning Work

Katerina’s portfolio is a testament to her skill and creativity. Here are a couple of pieces we’re excited to spotlight:

• Alien Runner
  An alien creature, called the Runner for her game "Trappist!" The aliens on this planet have a symbiotic relationship where they connect together to survive. The Runner is the "legs" of a combination of three creatures, including itself.

• Ankylope
  In her creature class she first modeled an antelope then did a fantastical pass on it. She took her Giant Eland Antelope model and mixed it with an Ankylosaurus and called it "Ankylope".

These pieces reflect the passion and precision Katerina brings to every project, and we can’t wait to see her artistry shape our games.

Why Katerina Fits TRU

Katerina’s self-description says it all: “I bring boundless passion and versatility within my craft, pouring my heart into every model I create.” Her technical skills—Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, and more—combined with her organizational prowess and attention to detail, make her the perfect fit to lead our art direction. Whether it’s shaping the immersive worlds of Two Robots Unleashed or the innovative designs of Rennova, Katerina’s experience ensures our games will look as stunning as they play.

A Heartfelt Welcome to Katerina

Katerina, we’re beyond grateful to have you on board! Your warmth, creativity, and dedication already light up our team. We’ve loved getting to know you—your knack for turning ideas into jaw-dropping 3D art is truly inspiring, and we can’t wait to see the magic you’ll bring to our projects. Here’s to building something extraordinary together!

Join the TRU Family

Inspired by Katerina’s journey? We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals to join our passionate team. At Two Robots Unleashed, you’ll work on groundbreaking games like Two Robots Unleashed and Rennova, collaborate with a tight-knit crew, and help shape the future of gaming. If you’re a creative with skills in art, design, or development, reach out at team@tworobots.io to explore opportunities with us!

Explore More of Katerina’s Work

Want to see more of Katerina’s incredible creations? Check out her portfolio on ArtStation: https://www.artstation.com/nicolair. Her work is a must-see for any 3D art enthusiast!