Danu Kim

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.

About

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!

  • Joined March 2026

Industry experience

  • Media & Entertainment
  • Software & Internet
  • Professional Services
  • Gaming

Projects · 3

🐎 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

  • Album Art Designer
  • Book Cover Designer
  • Book Illustrator
  • +7

🌊 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

  • Album Art Designer
  • Book Cover Designer
  • Book Illustrator
  • +4

🦋 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

  • Character Designer
  • Game Designer
  • Graphic Designer

Work experience· 5 roles

Visual Development Artist (Freelance) · Self-Employed / Journey ( Solo Exhibition )Nov 2022 – Present · 4 yrs 1 mo

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).

Visual Development Artist · Remote / Self-employedNov 2022 – Present · 4 yrs 1 mo

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.

Original IP Development / Visual Development Artist · Independent / Self-EmployedNov 2022 – Present · 4 yrs 1 mo

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).

Graphic Designer · AmantaApr 2015 – Mar 2016 · 1 yr
2D Concept Artist & UI Designer · IP IX ELApr 2015 – Mar 2016 · 1 yr

Education· 8

Bachelor of Arts in Game Design · Kongju National University, Korea2011 – 2015
Certificate in Game Art SEED Game Academy · SEED Game Academy, Korea2017 – 2019
Bachelor of Arts in Game Design · Kongju National University2011 – 2015
Intensive Game Development Training (graphics, planning, programming) · Kongju National University2016 – 2017

Certifications and awards

Certificate in Game Art SEED Game Academy2017 – 2019
Certificate in Game Art2017 – 2019
Intensive Game Development Training2016 – 2017
Certificate in Game Art SEED Game Academy2017 – 2019

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