I’m Efrem Palacios, a Creative Associate Art Director with over seven years of experience crafting visual storytelling, concept development, and art direction for video games and tablet RPGs. I thrive in collaborative environments, leading teams to deliver impactful visual solutions that elevate brand presence and resonate with audiences. My passion lies in turning ideas into vivid, cohesive art that supports gameplay, narrative, and marketing across multiple platforms. Over the years I’ve contributed to high-profile titles and worked with major studios, combining traditional drawing with digital painting, 3D concepts, and asset production to shape immersive worlds. I’m always eager to take on new challenges, mentor artists, and push creative boundaries while staying aligned with project goals and timelines.

Efrem Palacios

I’m Efrem Palacios, a Creative Associate Art Director with over seven years of experience crafting visual storytelling, concept development, and art direction for video games and tablet RPGs. I thrive in collaborative environments, leading teams to deliver impactful visual solutions that elevate brand presence and resonate with audiences. My passion lies in turning ideas into vivid, cohesive art that supports gameplay, narrative, and marketing across multiple platforms. Over the years I’ve contributed to high-profile titles and worked with major studios, combining traditional drawing with digital painting, 3D concepts, and asset production to shape immersive worlds. I’m always eager to take on new challenges, mentor artists, and push creative boundaries while staying aligned with project goals and timelines.

Available to hire

I’m Efrem Palacios, a Creative Associate Art Director with over seven years of experience crafting visual storytelling, concept development, and art direction for video games and tablet RPGs. I thrive in collaborative environments, leading teams to deliver impactful visual solutions that elevate brand presence and resonate with audiences. My passion lies in turning ideas into vivid, cohesive art that supports gameplay, narrative, and marketing across multiple platforms.

Over the years I’ve contributed to high-profile titles and worked with major studios, combining traditional drawing with digital painting, 3D concepts, and asset production to shape immersive worlds. I’m always eager to take on new challenges, mentor artists, and push creative boundaries while staying aligned with project goals and timelines.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Associate Art Director at Studio Hermitage
February 1, 2023 - Present
Created and Collaborated art for the IP Our Brilliant Ruin for Studio Hermitage.
Sr. Brand Concept Artist at Electronic Arts (EA)
November 1, 2022 - October 7, 2025
Created, directed and managed art for various games for EA. STAR WARS Galaxy of Heroes, THE LORD OF THE RINGS Heroes of Middle Earth, APEX Mobile, SIMs, FIFA, UFC, MADDEN, Real Racing, Super Score Soccer
Lead Concept Artist at Machine Zone (MZ)
May 1, 2020 - October 7, 2025
Created app icons, marketing art and game art for various games for MZ. Game of War, Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire, Mobile Strike, Word War Rising, Crystalborne, etc
Freelance Illustrator at Blizzard Entertainment
May 1, 2020 - October 7, 2025
Created art for the Games Hearthstone and the Warcraft card game
Freelance Illustrator at Wizards of the Coast
July 1, 2015 - October 7, 2025
Created art for Magic the Gathering card game, Dungeons and Dragons and other media
Freelance Illustrator at White Wolf inc/CCP/ Onyx Path Publishing
July 1, 2015 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various books and media for the Vampire Masquerade series and others
Illustrator at Aeria Games GmbH
November 1, 2014 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various games for Aeria Games
Game Artist at Quark Games
July 1, 2013 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various games for Quark games
Freelance Illustrator at Dire Wolf & Riot Entertainment
June 1, 2013 - October 7, 2025
Created art for cancelled Riot card game
Freelance Illustrator at Sony Online Entertainment
January 1, 2011 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various card games
Illustrator at Gonzales Enterprises/FifthSun.
August 1, 2007 - October 7, 2025
Created art for clothing
Freelance Illustrator at Quarto Publishing
July 1, 2007 - October 7, 2025
Created art for Zombie and Undead book
Freelance Illustrator at Wowee Toys
June 1, 2007 - October 7, 2025
Created concept art for toys and character for the film Cody the Robosapien
Freelance Illustrator at Warner Bros. Interactive WBIE/ The Collective
December 1, 2006 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various games like Start Trek and cancelled Dirty Harry Game
Associate Art Director at Studio Hermitage
February 1, 2023 - Present
Created and collaborated on art for the IP Our Brilliant Ruin for Studio Hermitage, contributing to visual development and asset production across multiple disciplines.
Sr. Brand Concept Artist at Electronic Arts (EA)
November 1, 2022 - October 7, 2025
Directed and produced art for multiple EA titles, coordinating teams and delivering concept art for franchises including STAR WARS Galaxy of Heroes, The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth, Apex Mobile, The Sims, FIFA, UFC, Madden, Real Racing and more.
Lead Concept Artist at Machine Zone (MZ)
May 1, 2020 - October 7, 2025
Led concept art and asset creation for mobile strategy and action games; produced app icons, marketing art and game art for titles such as Game of War, Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire, Mobile Strike, Word War Rising, Crystalborne, and more.
Freelance Illustrator at Blizzard Entertainment
May 1, 2020 - October 7, 2025
Created art for Hearthstone and the Warcraft card game, contributing character and card illustrations as a contracted freelancer.
Freelance Illustrator at Wizards of the Coast
July 1, 2015 - October 7, 2025
Created art for Magic: The Gathering card game, Dungeons & Dragons and other media as a contracted freelancer.
Freelance Illustrator at White Wolf Inc/ CCP / Onyx Path Publishing
July 1, 2015 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various books and media for the Vampire Masquerade series and other properties as a contracted freelancer.
Illustrator at Aeria Games GmbH
November 1, 2014 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various games for Aeria Games.
Game Artist at Quark Games
July 1, 2013 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various games for Quark Games.
Freelance Illustrator at Dire Wolf & Riot Entertainment
June 1, 2013 - October 7, 2025
Created art for a cancelled Riot card game.
Freelance Illustrator at Sony Online Entertainment
January 1, 2011 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various card games.
Illustrator at Gonzales Enterprises/FifthSun
August 1, 2007 - October 7, 2025
Created art for clothing.
Freelance Illustrator at Quarto Publishing
July 1, 2007 - October 7, 2025
Created art for Zombie and Undead book.
Freelance Illustrator at Wowee Toys
June 1, 2007 - October 7, 2025
Created concept art for toys and character for the film Cody the Robosapien.
Freelance Illustrator at Warner Bros. Interactive WBIE / The Collective
December 1, 2006 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various games including Start Trek and the cancelled Dirty Harry game.
Associate Art Director at Studio Hermitage
February 1, 2023 - Present
Created and Collaborated art for the IP Our Brilliant Ruin for Studio Hermitage.
Sr. Brand Concept Artist at Electronic Arts (EA)
November 1, 2022 - October 7, 2025
Created, directed and managed art for various games for EA. STAR WARS Galaxy of Heroes, THE LORD OF THE RINGS Heroes of Middle Earth, APEX Mobile, SIMs, FIFA, UFC, MADDEN, Real Racing, Super Score Soccer
Lead Concept Artist at Machine Zone (MZ)
May 1, 2020 - October 7, 2025
Created app icons, marketing art and game art for various games for MZ. Game of War, Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire, Mobile Strike, Word War Rising, Crystalborne, etc
Freelance Illustrator at Blizzard Entertainment
May 1, 2020 - October 7, 2025
Created art for the Games Hearthstone and the Warcraft card game
Freelance Illustrator at Wizards of the Coast
July 1, 2015 - October 7, 2025
Created art for Magic the Gathering card game, Dungeons and Dragons and other media
Freelance Illustrator at White Wolf inc/CCP/ Onyx Path Publishing
July 1, 2015 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various books and media for the Vampire Masquerade series and others
Illustrator at Aeria Games GmbH.
November 1, 2014 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various games for Aeria Games
Game Artist at Quark Games.
July 1, 2013 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various games for Quark games
Freelance Illustrator at Dire Wolf & Riot Entertainment
June 1, 2013 - October 7, 2025
Created art for cancelled Riot card game
Freelance Illustrator at Sony Online Entertainment
January 1, 2011 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various card games
Illustrator at Gonzales Enterprises/FifthSun.
August 1, 2007 - October 7, 2025
Created art for clothing
Freelance Illustrator at Quarto Publishing
July 1, 2007 - October 7, 2025
Created art for Zombie and Undead book
Freelance Illustrator at Wowee Toys
June 1, 2007 - October 7, 2025
Created concept art for toys and character for the film Cody the Robosapien
Freelance Illustrator at Warner Bros. Interactive WBIE/ The Collective
December 1, 2006 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various games like Start Trek and cancelled Dirty Harry Game
Associate Art Director at Studio Hermitage
February 1, 2023 - Present
Created and collaborated on art for the IP Our Brilliant Ruin at Studio Hermitage.
Sr. Brand Concept Artist at Electronic Arts (EA)
November 1, 2022 - October 7, 2025
Created, directed and managed art for various EA games; contributed art assets for STAR WARS Galaxy of Heroes, The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle Earth, APEX Mobile, The Sims, FIFA, UFC, Madden, Real Racing, and Super Score Soccer.
Lead Concept Artist at Machine Zone (MZ)
May 1, 2020 - October 7, 2025
Created app icons, marketing art and game art for multiple titles, including Game of War, Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire, Mobile Strike, Word War Rising, and Crystalborne.
Freelance Illustrator at Blizzard Entertainment
May 1, 2020 - October 7, 2025
Created art for Hearthstone and the Warcraft card game.
Freelance Illustrator at Wizards of the Coast
July 1, 2015 - October 7, 2025
Created art for Magic: The Gathering card game, Dungeons & Dragons and other media.
Freelance Illustrator at White Wolf Inc./ CCP/ Onyx Path Publishing
July 1, 2015 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various books and media for Vampire: Masquerade and other properties.
Illustrator at Aeria Games GmbH
November 1, 2014 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various games for Aeria Games.
Game Artist at Quark Games
July 1, 2013 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various games for Quark Games.
Freelance Illustrator at Dire Wolf & Riot Entertainment
June 1, 2013 - October 7, 2025
Created art for a cancelled Riot card game.
Freelance Illustrator at Sony Online Entertainment
January 1, 2011 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various card games.
Illustrator at Gonzales Enterprises/FifthSun
August 1, 2007 - October 7, 2025
Created art for clothing.
Freelance Illustrator at Quarto Publishing
July 1, 2007 - October 7, 2025
Created art for Zombie and Undead book.
Freelance Illustrator at Wowee Toys
June 1, 2007 - October 7, 2025
Created concept art for toys and characters for the film Cody the Robosapien.
Freelance Illustrator at Warner Bros. Interactive (WBIE)/ The Collective
December 1, 2006 - October 7, 2025
Created art for various games including Star Trek and the canceled Dirty Harry game.
Associate Art Director at Studio Hermitage
October 1, 2025 - October 1, 2025
Created and collaborated on art for the IP 'Our Brilliant Ruin'; provided conceptual art, assisted in creative feedback across projects; created key art for IP and art assets for games and TTRPG.
Sr. Brand Concept Artist at Electronic Arts (EA)
November 1, 2022 - November 1, 2022
Created, directed and managed art for various EA games, including concept art, art direction and creative feedback; produced app icons and marketing art.
Lead Concept Artist at Machine Zone (MZ)
May 1, 2020 - May 1, 2020
Created app icons, marketing art and game art; led art direction and produced marketing materials for multiple titles.
Freelance Illustrator at Blizzard Entertainment
May 1, 2020 - May 1, 2020
Created art for Hearthstone and the Warcraft card game.
Freelance Illustrator at Wizards of the Coast
July 1, 2015 - July 1, 2015
Created art for Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons and other media; contributed to Vampire Masquerade and related publications.
Illustrator at Aeria Games GmbH.
November 1, 2014 - November 1, 2014
Created art for various games.
Game Artist at Quark Games
July 1, 2013 - July 1, 2013
Created art for various games.
Freelance Illustrator at Dire Wolf & Riot Entertainment
June 1, 2013 - June 1, 2013
Created art for a cancelled Riot card game.
Freelance Illustrator at Sony Online Entertainment
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011
Created art for various card games.
Illustrator at Gonzales Enterprises/FifthSun.
August 1, 2007 - August 1, 2007
Created art for clothing.
Freelance Illustrator at Quarto Publishing
July 1, 2007 - July 1, 2007
Created art for zombie and undead book.
Freelance Illustrator at Wowee Toys
June 1, 2007 - June 1, 2007
Created concept art for toys and character for the film Cody the Ro3 bosapien.
Freelance Illustrator at Warner Bros. Interactive WBIE/ The Collective
December 1, 2006 - December 1, 2006
Created art for various games like Star Trek and a cancelled Dirty Harry game.
Freelance Illustrator at White Wolf inc/CCP/ Onyx Path Publishing
July 1, 2015 - July 1, 2015
Created art for role-playing games and related publishing.
Sr. Brand Artist at Electronic Arts (EA)
April 1, 2021 - November 1, 2022
Produced concept art and provided art direction along with creative feedback for art teams across multiple projects. Developed app icons, marketing art, and gameplay and character ideation while leading art initiatives for prominent titles such as STAR WARS Galaxy of Heroes, The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth, APEX Mobile, The Sims, FIFA, Madden, Real Racing, and more.
Lead Concept Artist at Machine Zone (MZ)
July 1, 2015 - May 1, 2020
Generated sketches, app icons, marketing art, and gameplay and character ideation for a range of games developed by MZ. Contributed to titles such as Game of War, Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire, Mobile Strike, World War Rising, and Crystalborne.
Freelance Illustrator at Blizzard Entertainment
November 1, 2007 - May 1, 2020
Created art for Hearthstone and the World of Warcraft card game, contributing to the visual narratives of these successful franchises.
Freelance Illustrator at Wizards of the Coast
January 1, 2009 - July 1, 2015
Produced illustrations for Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, enhancing iconic imagery for the franchise.
Freelance Illustrator at White Wolf Inc./ CCP / Onyx Path Publishing
January 1, 2009 - July 1, 2015
Illustrated various books and media for the Vampire: The Masquerade series, contributing to world-building and visual storytelling.
Illustrator at Aeria Games GmbH.
October 1, 2013 - November 1, 2014
Developed artwork for multiple game titles under Aeria Games, participating in the visual development process.
Game Artist at Quark Games
April 1, 2012 - July 1, 2013
Created art assets for various video games, contributing to the overall aesthetic and gameplay experience at Quark Games.
Freelance Illustrator at Dire Wolf & Riot Entertainment
June 1, 2011 - June 1, 2013
Executed concept art for a cancelled Riot card game, providing creative designs aligned with the intended vision.
Freelance Illustrator at Sony Online Entertainment
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2011
Designed illustrations for various card games, contributing to the visual identity of the products.
Freelance Illustrator at Warner Bros. Interactive WBIE/The Collective
January 1, 2006 - December 1, 2006
Generated artwork for various games, including Star Trek and a cancelled Dirty Harry game, contributing to pre-production visual concepts.
Freelance Illustrator at Gonzales Enterprises/FifthSun
August 1, 2005 - August 1, 2007
Developed artwork for clothing designs, merging practical application with creative vision.
Illustrator at Warner Bros. Interactive WBIE/The Collective
January 1, 2006 - December 1, 2006
Generated artwork for games, contributing to pre-production visuals and concept development.

Education

Associate of Arts (AA), Graphic Design at San Diego City Collage
January 11, 2030 - October 7, 2025
Classical Art training at Watts Atelier of the Arts
January 11, 2030 - October 7, 2025
Associate of Arts (AA), Graphic Design at San Diego City College
January 11, 2030 - October 7, 2025
Classical Art Training at Watts Atelier of the Arts
January 11, 2030 - October 7, 2025
Associate of Arts (AA), Graphic Design at San Diego City College
January 11, 2030 - October 7, 2025
Classical Art Training at Watts Atelier of the Arts
January 11, 2030 - October 7, 2025
Associate of Arts (AA), Graphic Design at San Diego City Collage
January 11, 2030 - October 7, 2025
Classical Art training at Watts Atelier of the Arts
January 11, 2030 - October 7, 2025
Associate of Arts (AA), Graphic Design at San Diego City College
January 11, 2030 - October 30, 2025
Classical Art training at Watts Atelier of the Arts
January 11, 2030 - October 30, 2025
AA (Associate of Arts) in Graphic Design at San Diego City College
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 2000
Classical Art Training at Watts Atelier of the Arts
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2006

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Professional Services, Education, Other