Mentorships run in 8-week blocks, but your growth doesn’t have to stop there. If you have a larger project, you are absolutely welcome to book multiple blocks back-to-back. Just keep in mind that our mentors book out fast. Let us know in your application if you want multiple 8 week blocks.
This includes 2 x one hour career coaching sessions where you can ask questions on any topic, from portfolio reviews, career advice & interview coaching.
Meet your mentor
Grayson Cotrell │ Senior Technical Dynamics at Naughty Dog
🚨 Reminder: In order to get started with your mentorship, we require that you first complete an application process. If you are approved, we’ll send you the details to book and pay for your mentorship.
Overview
This mentorship is all about diving into the world of Technical Art, and the process for melding creativity with systematic problem solving. You’ll explore how to use Houdini to develop tools, streamline workflows, and solve complex artistic challenges with technical precision.
Your mentor, Grayson Cotrell, is a seasoned Technical Artist from renowned AAA studio, Naughty Dog. He worked on The Last of Us Part I and The Last of Us Part II as a Props and Texture Artist before becoming a Houdini Technical Artist specializing in procedural tool development. Grayson brings real-world production knowledge from one of the most demanding pipelines in the industry and an intricate understanding of how to create tools that streamline the Technical Art process to ship multiple, award-winning games at the highest level of polish.
We’ll start by reviewing your current skillset, project goals, and career aspirations. From there, we’ll craft a customized learning path that fits your interests, whether that means sharpening your Houdini skillset, building procedural assets, or learning how to create tools that empower other artists. Each week, you’ll get hands-on guidance, targeted project feedback, and deep dives into the tech art topics that matter most.
Topics we’ll cover include:
● Procedural modeling
● VEX and Houdini tool development
● Technical workflows In Houdini, tailored for Unreal Engine
● Tool and asset optimization
● Portfolio presentation and technical breakdowns
This is a collaborative, project-based mentorship designed to help you grow both as an artist and a problem-solver. You’ll develop the creative mindset to build tools and assets that enhance your work and make you integral to any team. By the end you’ll have an elevated proficiency in Houdini, standout portfolio piece, and a toolkit you’ll use for years to come.
- Procedural Modeling & Asset Generation
- VEX & Python scripting
HDA (Houdini Digital Asset) Creation - Destruction & Dynamics Simulations
- Vellum & Cloth Simulations
- Preparing & Optimizing Assets for Unreal Engine
- Optimization & Technical Best Practices
- Presenting your work in a well composed shot sequence
- Technical Art breakdowns
- Houdini
- Unreal Engine 5 (as needed per project)
- Megascans, Photoshop, Davinci Resolve (as needed)
- Format – Personalized guidance in one-on-one sessions, conducted via video calls.
- Mentee Spotlight – Your final project will be featured on the Vessel Forge website and social media.
- Mentee Showcase – You’ll have the chance to collaborate with us to write a blog breakdown of the project you complete during your mentorship. Note: Must be selected for this opportunity.
- Post-mentorship Support – Receive access to our exclusive community Discord, where you can connect with other mentors and mentees, ask questions, get feedback and more.
- Skill Level – Intermediate to Advanced
- Prerequisites – Solid grasp of Houdini fundamentals (software proficiency & understanding of procedural workflow principles), Unreal Engine proficiency if applicable
What's included?
Industry pro at your side, weekly.
Not tied to a nonsense curriculum.
The tools you need are included.
Career coaching
Get actual career advice from pros who understand.
Ask questions in the exclusive community.
Meet your mentor
Grayson Cotrell │ Senior Technical Dynamics at Naughty Dog
Grayson Cotrell is a seasoned CGI artist with five years of experience across the full production pipeline, specializing in Technical Art and Procedural Workflows. He got his start at Naughty Dog as a Props and Texture Artist on The Last of Us Part I and The Last of Us Part II Remastered, eventually shifting into a Houdini Technical Artist where he builds tools to help teams work more efficiently and create high-quality assets.
Now focused on combining art and technical systems, Grayson crafts tools that empower artists to work smarter and faster in Houdini and Unreal Engine. His work has been featured in a number of articles, spanning prestigious academic institutions like Gnomon to well-known publications like 80 Level. Outside of studio work, Grayson is passionate about teaching. Whether it’s breaking down complex workflows or mentoring one-on-one, he loves helping others bring their ideas to life.
