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Hey There, I'm Josh McAvoy
(They/Them)
I’m a 3D artist and Creative Technologist working at the intersection of art, technology and storytelling.
My practice spans 3D art, Unreal Engine, virtual production, animation, interactive experiences and immersive media. I’m as comfortable building an environment or rigging a character as I am developing the technical systems that make an experience work, often moving between creative and technical roles depending on what a project needs.
Over the past six years, I’ve worked across film, games, XR and interactive media, developing projects from early concepts and visual development through to production and delivery. I’ve worked with real-time pipelines, LED volumes, motion capture, virtual cameras, interactive narrative and live technical systems, while also writing, directing and designing experiences.
I’m particularly interested in the space where technology becomes a creative tool rather than an end in itself. Whether that means building a virtual production pipeline, creating a stylised 3D world, developing an interactive installation or figuring out how to make something that shouldn’t be possible actually work. That’s the kind of work I enjoy.
Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, I work with studios, production companies, artists and creative teams both locally and internationally.
In short, I...
Make Things | Break things | put them back together
A Brief History...
2011
At school, I was always interested in Arts and Technologies. At age 12, I was already working with livestream technologies, cameras, sound desks, graphic design, video editing and motion graphics.
2018
Started my Undergraduate Degree (BDes) Animation at Ulster University, Belfast.
2020
Co-Founded Aura Digital Studios Limited, an Animation, Interactive, Games and Virtual Production studio based in Belfast City Centre.
2022
Got accepted into the 'VP Futures' accelerator programme and received bespoke mentoring from Industrial Light & Magic and Epic Games for Virtual Production. I spent the day of my graduation pitching for funding to write and direct my first film. Graduated with a 1st Class Hons. Debuted Aura's first game at EGX in London.
2023
Completed production on Stone Hearts & Careless People, the second-ever LED ICVFX Short Film to be made in the North of Ireland. Spoke on a panel in UK House at South by Southwest (SXSW) about independent Virtual Production.
2024
Worked on the first-ever television commercial shot on LED in the North of Ireland as a CG Supervisor and LED Stage Operator. Began writing and directing a video game prototype based on the life and death of Charles Dickens. Led a Virtual Production R&D Project through Aura with UK Research and Innovation.
2025
Worked on the first-ever television commercial shot on LED in the North of Ireland as a CG Supervisor and LED Stage Operator. Began writing and directing a video game prototype based on the life and death of Charles Dickens. Led a Virtual Production R&D Project through Aura with UK Research and Innovation.
2026
Worked on 'The Baby Factory is Closed': An interactive VR Experience which made its world premiere at SXSW and subsequently toured to New Images Festival, Annecy International Animation Festival, The Galway Film Fleadh, Fivars festival and the V&A.
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Having stepped down as a Director at Aura Studios to focus on my individual practice, I'm on the hunt for my next big thing. I'd love to help you bring your project to life!
