Concept artist and illustrator with 7+ years of experience in the games industry, specializing in character design, world-building, and visual development. My style is highly versatile—I can shift from detailed, cinematic artwork to warm, expressive visuals suited for children’s books. I bring strong storytelling skills to both fantasy worlds and kid-friendly narratives. Recent work includes three years of illustrations for Flesh and Blood with Legend Story Studios. Open to freelance projects in illustration, concept art, and children’s book development.

Joseph Qiu

PRO

Concept artist and illustrator with 7+ years of experience in the games industry, specializing in character design, world-building, and visual development. My style is highly versatile—I can shift from detailed, cinematic artwork to warm, expressive visuals suited for children’s books. I bring strong storytelling skills to both fantasy worlds and kid-friendly narratives. Recent work includes three years of illustrations for Flesh and Blood with Legend Story Studios. Open to freelance projects in illustration, concept art, and children’s book development.

Next availability:
January 30, 2026

Concept artist and illustrator with 7+ years of experience in the games industry, specializing in character design, world-building, and visual development. My style is highly versatile—I can shift from detailed, cinematic artwork to warm, expressive visuals suited for children’s books. I bring strong storytelling skills to both fantasy worlds and kid-friendly narratives. Recent work includes three years of illustrations for Flesh and Blood with Legend Story Studios. Open to freelance projects in illustration, concept art, and children’s book development.

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Work Experience

Senior illustrator at Watermark Creative
March 10, 2022 - Present
Gathered information from various content channels and used data to create illustrations that supported company goals and products.
Illustrator / Concept Artist at Watermark Creative
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2019
Designed TCG art, game illustration and concept art; contributed to film visual development; designed microtransaction props such as armor sets, weapons and portals; created monsters and game character portraits; produced book covers, editorial illustrations and advertising campaigns; gathered information from content channels to create illustrations aligned with company goals.
Illustrator / Concept Artist at Grinding Gear Games
May 1, 2019 - February 1, 2022
Created concept art and illustrations for Path of Exile and related assets; designed in-game props for microtransactions, armor sets, weapons and portals; developed monsters and character portraits; contributed to game visual development and asset design.
Illustrator / Concept Artist at Watermark Creative
March 1, 2022 - Present
Continuing concept art and illustration work for clients, including TCG art, game illustration and concept development; experience in film visual development and character design.
Senior Illustrator/Concept Artist at Watermark Creative
March 1, 2022 - Present
Senior illustrator and concept artist producing concept art, game visuals, and film development assets; designing Path of Exile-related assets, microtransaction props (armor sets, weapons, portals), monsters, and character portraits; translating content and data into illustrations aligned with company goals.
Illustrator/Concept Artist at Grinding Gear Games
May 1, 2019 - February 1, 2022
Contributed to Path of Exile game assets and visuals, including game illustration and concept development; designed monsters, characters, armor, weapons, portals, and microtransaction props.
Illustrator/Concept Artist at Watermark Creative
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2019
Produced book covers, editorial illustrations, and advertising campaigns; supported diverse illustration projects for clients.

Education

Bachelor of Arts at Auckland University of Technology
February 1, 2001 - November 29, 2003
Bachelor of Arts at Auckland University of Technology
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2003
Bachelor of Arts at Auckland University of Technology
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2003

Qualifications

Best Awards Finalist
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
IA Illustration Awards Gold in Editorial
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
IA Illustration Awards Gold in Advertising
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
Chromacon Best Illustration Awards
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
Best Awards Purple Award
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
3 x 3 International Illustration Awards Merit
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
3 x 3 International Illustration Awards Honorable Mention
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
Silver Spectrum Fantastic Art Award
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
Illustrator’s Awards (AUS/NZ) Highly Commended
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025

Industry Experience

Professional Services, Gaming, Media & Entertainment
    uniE621 Caricatures #2
    These 2 illustrations are samples of my caricature work include full body. illustrator
    uniE621 Caricatures #1
    A collection of my caricature samples. illustrator
    uniE621 Fantasy & Sci-Fi #2
    Illustrations I created for Trading Card Game Flesh and Blood. illustrator illustrator
    uniE621 Fantasy & Sci-Fi #1
    Illustrations I created for Trading Card Game Flesh and Blood. illustrator
    uniE621 Jazz Band
    Self-promotion work. illustrator
    uniE621 Family Moments
    Self-promotion illustrations. illustrator
    uniE621 Holiday on the farm
    Children's book I illustrated for Concordia Publishing House. illustrator
    uniE621 Nigel's Christmas Wish
    Kiwi department store The Warehouse is inviting you to bring Christmas magic to life with a delightful digital storybook called Nigel’s Christmas Wish, which can be read in both English and te reo Māori. The storybook is part of a wider campaign that showcases how helping someone accomplish their dream can light up their day. Illustrated by Joseph Qiu, the book tells the story of Nigel the Nutcracker, a Christmas decoration who was determined to make it to the top of the Christmas tree, despite the fact that he was different to the rest of the decorations in the toymaker’s workshop. illustrator
    uniE621 The baby King
    Nativity story book I illustrated for Concordia Publishing House. illustrator