My full name is James Kenneth Broden. I am called Jim or James. Never Kenneth. It’s my father’s name and I was taught to never touch dad’s stuff. Technically, I am a freelance creative director and illustrator based in Montreal. I was trained in both graphic design and illustration which has led to a diversified life in advertising and concept art. I have illustrated characters and scenes for TV and film, designed logos, helped organized a company’s brand, created packaging and display art, written copy, and produced print ads from just a brief discussion with a client. I’ve planned and built websites and most recently produce mobile app graphics. I suppose that means I am “multi-disciplined” but whenever I read that term on a design studio’s website it just sounds annoying. Let’s call it versatile pragmatism. To maintain the art director mystique I shave my head.

James Broden

My full name is James Kenneth Broden. I am called Jim or James. Never Kenneth. It’s my father’s name and I was taught to never touch dad’s stuff. Technically, I am a freelance creative director and illustrator based in Montreal. I was trained in both graphic design and illustration which has led to a diversified life in advertising and concept art. I have illustrated characters and scenes for TV and film, designed logos, helped organized a company’s brand, created packaging and display art, written copy, and produced print ads from just a brief discussion with a client. I’ve planned and built websites and most recently produce mobile app graphics. I suppose that means I am “multi-disciplined” but whenever I read that term on a design studio’s website it just sounds annoying. Let’s call it versatile pragmatism. To maintain the art director mystique I shave my head.

Available to hire

My full name is James Kenneth Broden. I am called Jim or James. Never Kenneth.
It’s my father’s name and I was taught to never touch dad’s stuff.

Technically, I am a freelance creative director and illustrator based in Montreal. I was trained in both graphic design and illustration which has led to a diversified life in advertising and concept art. I have illustrated characters and scenes for TV and film, designed logos, helped organized a company’s brand, created packaging and display art, written copy, and produced print ads from just a brief discussion with a client. I’ve planned and built websites and most recently produce mobile app graphics. I suppose that means I am “multi-disciplined” but whenever I read that term on a design studio’s website it just sounds annoying. Let’s call it versatile pragmatism.

To maintain the art director mystique I shave my head.

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Language

English
Fluent
French
Intermediate

Work Experience

Concept Artist at Ubisoft
October 1, 2023 - November 1, 2024
Collaborated closely with the Art Director and Lead to develop assets and create dynamic visuals for Ubisoft AAA games. Produced 4K paintovers of in-game environments from multiple 3D renders, ensuring consistency with lighting and art style. Worked with a professional team to set, achieve, and surpass critical department milestones promptly. Delivered high-quality work while adhering to design constraints, assigned timelines, and historical accuracy (AC Shadows). Created and refined characters, settings, props, and other high-quality 3D game assets. Utilized ZBrush and Photoshop to model and illustrate unique 3D icons from a written description. Designed and illustrated MTX, UI elements, and graphic icons for in-game usage.
Freelance Art Director / Concept Artist at Broden Creative
January 1, 2002 - Present
Create and oversee all aspects of graphic design, illustration, and web projects for a diverse range of clients. Create concept art for animation and feature films. Design, layout, and produce print-ready mechanicals. Plan, design, and produce websites in WordPress. Create illustrations for corporate use and applications. Write copy for promotions and advertisements.
Art Director & Illustrator at Communications Rosz
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 2002
Direct staff of designers to produce all types of print, multimedia and web projects from concept to completion within strict time constraints. Sketch concepts and produce digital illustrations for advertising campaigns. Write scripts and plan events for client presentations and corporate trade shows. Coordinate production between staff and suppliers while interacting with clients and servicing their requests. Go to press approvals and oversee the quality control of print projects. Write copy for promotions and advertisements.

Education

Concept Sculpting in Zbrush at SYN STUDIO
January 1, 2019 - February 8, 2026
DEC Illustration and Design at Dawson College
January 1, 1987 - January 1, 1989
Major in English at Concordia University
January 1, 1984 - January 1, 1985
DEC Arts and Sciences at Marianopolis College
January 1, 1982 - January 1, 1983

Qualifications

Concept Sculpting in Zbrush
January 1, 2019 - February 8, 2026

Industry Experience

Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Software & Internet
    paper Squibb Illustration

    I was hired to illustrate a bust of Dr. Edward Robinson Squibb, the founder of Bristol Myers Squibb. Using old photos I built a likeness of him in ZBrush and painted over the renders.

    Samples of my work can be found at: brodencreative.com and brodenart.com