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Richard Tsai
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
San Francisco, CA, United States
Toptal member since January 16, 2026
Bio
Richard is a trained architect with over 20 years of experience. His work spans across a range of fields, including architecture, interior design, furniture design, graphic design, environmental planning, and broadcast entertainment. Richard is an expert in 3D modeling, photorealistic rendering, and computer animation.
Portfolio
Media Arts Center
3D Architecture3D Rendering3D Visualization3D Design3D ModelingArchitectural Visualization
Product Design - 3D Modeling and Rendering
3DProduct Design3D Product Visualization3D Visualization
Product Design - 3D Visualization Work
3D3D Product Visualization3D Rendering
Work Experience
Director
2000 - PRESENT
Field of Vision
- Collaborated with a variety of clients from diverse industries: architecture, product design, environmental planning, and broadcast entertainment.
- Manage small teams of freelancers, depending on the project's size and scope.
- Worked on the PBS documentaries Saving the Bay and Becoming California. Both of these films required research and the absorption of scientific information, which was then communicated visually with concision and beauty.
Technologies: 3ds Max, Corona Renderer, Adobe Creative Suite, Rhinoceros 3D, Marvelous Designer, Twinmotion, V-Ray, 2D Motion Graphics, 3D, 3D Visualization, 3D Design, 3D Modeling, Architectural Visualization
Senior 3D Artist
2022 - 2024
RH
- Participated in the in-house rendering team, producing photo-realistic renderings for the architectural design team in the development of retail and hospitality locations for the luxury brand.
- Enhanced the capabilities of the studio by introducing and implementing technical and production workflows such as VR simulation.
- Provided team support for departments outside of the architectural studio, including the catalog group, which focused on developing photorealistic visuals for marketing in RH's mail catalog.
Technologies: 3ds Max, Corona Renderer, SketchUp, Revit, 3D Design, 3D Modeling, Architectural Visualization
Senior 3D Designer
2020 - 2020
Exploratorium
- Participated in the global collaborations studio at the Exploratorium, a world-renowned science museum in San Francisco.
- Co-led the interior and exhibit design of the Kiewit Luminarium in Omaha, Nebraska. My duties included project management, concept and design development, construction documentation, and 3D rendering.
- Enhanced the 3D capabilities of the design studio with my experience with 3D graphics.
Technologies: 3ds Max, AutoCAD, Revit, 3D Design, 3D Modeling, Architectural Visualization, Industrial Design
Senior Lead Visualization Artist
2019 - 2019
Katerra
- Co-led the 3D visualization studio for the technology-driven global construction company, which focuses on pre-fab multi-residential housing.
- Handled project management and production, and guided the overall direction of the studio, setting technical guidelines and production workflows.
- Interfaced with senior leadership at the company to enhance the implementation and utilization of 3D visualization at the company.
Technologies: 3ds Max, AutoCAD, Revit, Corona Renderer, V-Ray, Adobe Creative Suite, 3D Design, 3D Modeling, Architectural Visualization
Senior Lead Designer
2017 - 2018
Vanderbyl Design
- Performed several duties for the multidisciplinary design firm, including project management, conceptual design and development, construction documentation, 3D rendering, and animation.
- Enhanced the capabilities of the studio with my experience in 3D rendering and visualization. Set up the production pipeline for 3D production.
- Provided construction management as well as QA/QC oversight of the studio's interior design projects.
Technologies: AutoCAD, 3ds Max, Adobe Creative Suite, Corona Renderer, 3D Printing, 3D Design, 3D Modeling, Architectural Visualization, Industrial Design
Senior 3D Artist
2016 - 2016
DES Architects + Engineers
- Participated in the in-house 3D architectural visualization team, producing renderings for internal review as well as public involvement.
- Provided guidance to junior staff and improved technical capabilities and production workflows.
- Worked on several large-scale developments, particularly business campuses with 30+ acres and 750,000 square feet of office space.
Technologies: V-Ray, AutoCAD, Revit, 3ds Max, Adobe Creative Suite, 3D Design, 3D Modeling, Architectural Visualization
Art Director
2012 - 2014
California Environmental Legacy Project
- Served as art director and associate producer on the PBS documentary tracing the environmental history of California from its geologic origins to the anthropogenic change of the present day.
- Handled budgeting, concept development, storyboarding, research, design, and production while leading a small team of artists to create all graphics and 3D animations for the series. I was awarded a regional Emmy for this work.
- Advised on the development of the web-based component of the project, conceptualizing and designing the interactive educational portal for the project.
Technologies: 3ds Max, V-Ray, Vue, Adobe Creative Suite, GIS, 3D Design, 3D Modeling, Architectural Visualization
Art Director
2006 - 2009
Ron Blatman Productions
- Served as art director and associate producer on the 4-hour PBS documentary series about the environmental history of the San Francisco Bay Area and the natural and man-made forces that have shaped its making.
- Handled budgeting, concept development, storyboarding, research, design, and production while leading a small team of artists to create all graphics and 3D animations for the series. I was awarded two regional Emmy awards for this work.
- Participated in the development of the script and overall direction of the series.
Technologies: 3ds Max, Vue, Adobe Creative Suite, 3D Design, 3D Modeling, Architectural Visualization
Associate
2000 - 2004
EDAW Inc.
- Founded the 3D visualization team, producing renderings and visual simulations for environmental impact and visual impact assessment under CEQA and NEPA.
- Developed the processes and methodologies for the accurate production of visual simulations that are legally defensible in the context of environmental impact assessment.
- Grew the visualization group to serve the entire western region with offices in San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Fort Collins, and Sacramento.
Technologies: 3ds Max, Adobe Creative Suite, 3D Design, 3D Modeling, Architectural Visualization
Education
1999 - 2000
Master's Degree in Architecture
Washington University in St. Louis - Saint Louis, MO, USA
1990 - 1994
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Architecture
Washington University in St. Louis - Saint Louis, MO, USA
Skills
Tools
3ds Max, Corona Renderer, Rhinoceros 3D, Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Photoshop, Marvelous Designer, V-Ray, AutoCAD, Grasshopper, CAD, Twinmotion, SketchUp, Revit, GIS
Other
3D, 3D Visualization, 3D Rendering, 3D Architecture, 3D Product Visualization, Corona Rendering, 3D Design, 3D Modeling, Architectural Visualization, Photography, Industrial Design, Architectural Design, 3D Art, Motion Graphics, 3D Motion Graphics, 2D Motion Graphics, Design, 3D Printing, Vue, Furniture Design, Product Design
Experience
- 3D Visualization - 20 years
- 3ds Max - 20 years
- 3D Rendering - 20 years
- 3D - 20 years
- Rhinoceros 3D - 20 years
- Adobe Creative Suite - 20 years
- Corona Renderer - 15 years
- Grasshopper - 15 years
Tools
- 3ds Max
- Corona Renderer
- Rhinoceros 3D
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Grasshopper
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