Vancouver-based 2D Concept Artist & Illustrator with a strong passion for stylized and dark fantasy designs. • Background: BA in Game Design & former Concept Artist at a game company in South Korea. • Specialties: Character Design, Creature Design, Dark & Quirky Fantasy, Anime-inspired Art. • Strengths: Strong understanding of anatomy, dynamic silhouettes, and game production workflows. I am currently looking for exciting indie projects, freelance commissions, and studio roles. Let's create something unique together!…

Danu Kim

Vancouver-based 2D Concept Artist & Illustrator with a strong passion for stylized and dark fantasy designs. • Background: BA in Game Design & former Concept Artist at a game company in South Korea. • Specialties: Character Design, Creature Design, Dark & Quirky Fantasy, Anime-inspired Art. • Strengths: Strong understanding of anatomy, dynamic silhouettes, and game production workflows. I am currently looking for exciting indie projects, freelance commissions, and studio roles. Let's create something unique together!…

Available to hire

Vancouver-based 2D Concept Artist & Illustrator with a strong passion for stylized and dark fantasy designs.

• Background: BA in Game Design & former Concept Artist at a game company in South Korea.
• Specialties: Character Design, Creature Design, Dark & Quirky Fantasy, Anime-inspired Art.
• Strengths: Strong understanding of anatomy, dynamic silhouettes, and game production workflows.

I am currently looking for exciting indie projects, freelance commissions, and studio roles. Let’s create something unique together!

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Skills

Experience Level

Illustration
Expert
Adobe Photoshop
Expert
Character Design
Expert
Adobe Illustrator
Expert
Set Design
Expert
Logo
Intermediate
UI
Intermediate
Photo
Intermediate
Unity
Intermediate
2D Animation
Beginner
3ds Max
Beginner
Blender
Beginner
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Language

Korean
Fluent
English
Beginner

Work Experience

Visual Development Artist at Remote / Self-employed
November 20, 2022 - Present
Remote designer creating original characters and immersive environments for Post-Apocalypse, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy genres. Designed logos and graphic assets with high fidelity to IP identities. Collaborated with 3D team to optimize 2D assets for final output. Produced versatile assets and key visuals for entertainment media, demonstrating strong digital painting fundamentals. Created character sheets and turnarounds for 3D production. Photography & observation to capture atmospheric moments and landscapes for design inspiration. Notable project: Solo Exhibition Journey, started 2022-11-20 and ongoing.
2D Concept Artist & UI Designer at IP IX EL
April 1, 2015 - March 31, 2016
Created 2D concept art and UI design; contributed graphic design work and branding; collaborated with the team on production pipelines and character design.
Graphic Designer at Amanta
April 1, 2015 - March 31, 2016
Logo and graphic asset design; contributed to branding and visual identity for Seoul-based projects.
Visual Development Artist (Freelance) at Self-Employed / Journey ( Solo Exhibition )
November 20, 2022 - Present
Remote design of original characters and immersive environments for Post-Apocalypse, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy genres. Created assets and visuals for IP development, logos, charater sheets, and turnarounds; collaborated with 3D team to optimize 2D assets; ongoing Solo Exhibition Journey (Nov 2022 – Present).
Original IP Development / Visual Development Artist at Independent / Self-Employed
November 1, 2022 - Present
Developed original IP and art assets for AR game projects; created character sheets, turnarounds, and 2D assets; designed logos and graphic assets; collaborated with a 3D team to optimize 2D assets; produced concept art for a solo exhibition and immersive environments; showcased original art at a solo exhibition in Sunch eon (Sept 2024).

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Game Design at Kongju National University, Korea
March 1, 2011 - February 28, 2015
Certificate in Game Art SEED Game Academy at SEED Game Academy, Korea
November 1, 2017 - November 1, 2019
Bachelor of Arts in Game Design at Kongju National University
March 1, 2011 - February 28, 2015
Intensive Game Development Training (graphics, planning, programming) at Kongju National University
June 1, 2016 - October 1, 2017
Certificate in Game Art at SEED Game Academy, Korea
November 1, 2017 - November 1, 2019
Bachelor of Arts in Game Design at Kongju National University, Korea
March 1, 2011 - February 1, 2015
Certificate in Game Art SEED Game Academy at SEED Game Academy, Korea
November 1, 2017 - November 1, 2019
2D Concept Artist & UI Designer, Graphic Designer at IP IX EL / IPixel, Seoul, Korea
April 1, 2015 - March 1, 2016

Qualifications

Certificate in Game Art SEED Game Academy
November 1, 2017 - November 1, 2019
Certificate in Game Art
November 1, 2017 - November 1, 2019
Intensive Game Development Training
June 1, 2016 - October 1, 2017
Certificate in Game Art SEED Game Academy
November 1, 2017 - November 1, 2019

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Professional Services, Gaming
    uniE621 The Zodiac Series: Red Horse, Snake & Dragon
    🐎 The Zodiac Series: Red Horse, Snake & Dragon This project showcases a series of highly intricate and surreal illustrations inspired by the Zodiac animals. This series focuses on translating the symbolic energy of the Horse, Snake, and Dragon into visually explosive and captivating artworks. ✨ Key Focus Areas Surreal & Complex Composition: Blending animal motifs with surreal, symbolic elements, and striking human portraits to create a unique narrative in a single frame. Intense Color & Mood: Utilizing bold, high-contrast color palettes and intricate detailing to bring a raw, dynamic energy and psychedelic vibe to each piece. Stylized Anatomy: Combining highly stylized animal and human anatomy with a distinct, slightly dark, and artistic aesthetic. 🎯 Perfect For Album Covers & Editorial Illustrations Highly Stylized Poster & Merchandise Design Unique Brand Identity & Key Visuals Looking for eye-catching, surreal, and highly detailed illustrations? Feel free to send me a message to discuss your vision! SurrealArt, ZodiacIllustration, EditorialIllustration, PopSurrealism, DetailedArt, PosterDesign, DarkFantasy, PsychedelicArt, DigitalIllustration, AlbumCoverArt, 2DArt, AnimalArt…
    uniE621 Deep Sea Divers: Character Group & Atmospheric Illustration
    🌊 Deep Sea Divers: Character Group & Atmospheric Illustration This artwork features a group of female characters resting in a moody, subaquatic-inspired environment. The main focus of this piece is demonstrating the ability to compose a multi-character scene naturally, while establishing a strong cinematic atmosphere through lighting and color. ✨ Key Focus Areas Multi-Character Composition: Arranging multiple figures within a single frame harmoniously. Each character has a distinct, relaxed pose that reflects her personality while maintaining a cohesive group dynamic. Cinematic Lighting & Atmosphere: Utilizing a specific color palette (deep greens and shadows) to create a mysterious, immersive, and slightly melancholic sci-fi mood. Sci-Fi / Tech Wear Design: Designing functional yet aesthetically pleasing modern/sci-fi outfits, including wetsuits, mechanical gear, and diving helmets, tailored to each character's concept. 🎯 Perfect For Video Game Splash Art & Loading Screens Story-Driven & Narrative Illustrations D&D Party / Group Character Commissions Sci-Fi & Modern Fantasy Projects Need an artist who can bring a whole cast of characters to life with cinematic lighting? Feel free to send me a message to discuss your project! SplashArt, GroupIllustration, SciFiArt, ConceptArt, CinematicArt, TechWear, CharacterDesign, DigitalIllustration, Storytelling, 2DArt, GameArt, AtmosphericArt graphicdesigner illustrator…
    uniE621 Original Character Concept Art: The Insect Series (Moth & Cicada)
    🦋 Original Character Concept Art: The Insect Series (Moth & Cicada) This project showcases a series of highly detailed humanoid character designs inspired by insect motifs. Rather than full monsters, the focus is on translating the unique biological features of a moth and a cicada into striking character concepts and intricate costume designs. ✨ Key Focus Areas Character & Costume Design: Seamlessly blending human anatomy with thematic elements, such as the moth's soft fur and the cicada's translucent wings and exoskeleton. Realistic Anatomy & Posing: Grounding the fantastical concepts with strong, accurate human anatomical structures and expressive poses. Intricate Textures: Showcasing the ability to render highly detailed materials, from glossy armor-like shells to delicate fabrics. 🎯 Perfect For Video Game Character Concepts D&D / RPG Player Characters & NPCs Themed Original Character (OC) Illustrations Looking for a versatile character artist with a strong grasp of anatomy and detail? Feel free to send me a message to discuss your next project! ConceptArt, CharacterDesign, CreatureDesign, DarkFantasy, Insectoid, 2DArt, Illustration, DigitalArt, FantasyArt, MonsterDesign, HorrorArt Grotesque illustrator graphicdesigner…