Hello, I am Ric Baker a Concept Artist, Character Designer, and Graphic Designer based in Melbourne. Since 2000, I’ve navigated the creative spectrum: from crafting iconic mascots for The Masked Singer to executing high-level design for Novartis, Unilever, Birds Eye and Wall's Ice Cream (Streets). My work spans the tactile and the digital; I have illustrated numerous children’s books and developed extensive character designs for TV and games, including detailed backgrounds and technical character turnarounds. Whether it’s a board game for an indie developer or a national TV production, I bring over two decades of freelance expertise to every typeface, environment, and character sheet.…

Richard G.D. Baker

Hello, I am Ric Baker a Concept Artist, Character Designer, and Graphic Designer based in Melbourne. Since 2000, I’ve navigated the creative spectrum: from crafting iconic mascots for The Masked Singer to executing high-level design for Novartis, Unilever, Birds Eye and Wall's Ice Cream (Streets). My work spans the tactile and the digital; I have illustrated numerous children’s books and developed extensive character designs for TV and games, including detailed backgrounds and technical character turnarounds. Whether it’s a board game for an indie developer or a national TV production, I bring over two decades of freelance expertise to every typeface, environment, and character sheet.…

Available to hire

Hello, I am Ric Baker a Concept Artist, Character Designer, and Graphic Designer based in Melbourne. Since 2000, I’ve navigated the creative spectrum: from crafting iconic mascots for The Masked Singer to executing high-level design for Novartis, Unilever, Birds Eye and Wall’s Ice Cream (Streets).

My work spans the tactile and the digital; I have illustrated numerous children’s books and developed extensive character designs for TV and games, including detailed backgrounds and technical character turnarounds. Whether it’s a board game for an indie developer or a national TV production, I bring over two decades of freelance expertise to every typeface, environment, and character sheet.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Promotional/Graphic Designer and Illustrator at Queensland Fire and Emergency Service
May 1, 2023 - Present
Design and develop Bushfire Warnings Poster; create vector graphics for a three-panel narrative; full-colour illustration using established QFES warnings literature.
Concepts, Character Creator & Design and Production Designer; Story Consultant at ViskaToons
August 1, 2021 - Present
Design and create turnarounds for development of 3D multimedia animated TV show characters; production design; story consultation.
Mascot Design and Concept Art at The Costume Studio/Masked Singer New Zealand
January 1, 2021 - Present
Mascot design and concept art for Masked Singer New Zealand Series 1 & Series 2. NDA prevents further elaboration. Ongoing.
Concepts Character and Graphic Designer; Production Designer at Fika Entertainment
March 1, 2020 - Present
Concepts, character and graphic design; production designer for 3D multimedia animated TV show characters. NDA prevents elaboration. Ongoing.
Concepts, Character and Graphic Designer; Production Designer at OzPix Entertainment
August 1, 2018 - Present
Design and create character concepts, turnarounds; production designer for 3D animated TV show; NDA prevents elaboration; ongoing.
Character and Brand Designer at Invictus 2018 Games
August 1, 2018 - February 28, 2019
Design and develop 'Cobber' promotional character mascot for 2018 Invictus Games; used for print, web, and 3D interactive events.
Concept and Visual Artist and Graphic Designer at Dogs Space Games Hands Across the Galaxy
June 1, 2018 - April 30, 2019
Design all artwork for the board game, including cards, board artwork, logo; remote work.
Character Designer at Queensland Fire and Emergency Service
May 1, 2017 - August 31, 2017
Design and develop ‘Bushy’ character to help promote QFES alongside established ‘Blazer’ character. Print and Web promotions.
Character Designer; Graphic Designer at CQUniversity
December 1, 2016 - May 31, 2017
Design university cartoon character and mascot; promotional artwork for print and Web.
Character Designer; Production Designer; Graphic Designer; Concept Artist and Background Artist; Cartoonist at Funtik Entertainment
January 1, 2014 - September 30, 2017
Design multiple characters, backgrounds and props for animated TV series Mr Pencil; lead on posters and marketing material; remote work.
Character Designer; Graphic Designer; Cartoonist at The Costume Studio
December 1, 2016 - Present
Design and visualise character mascots and full colour turnarounds; liaise with marketing; branding and advertising visuals.
Character Designer; Cartoonist at Auscoz
February 1, 2013 - Present
Design and visualize mascots; turnarounds; logos, concepts, websites & advertising.
Character Designer; Cartoonist at Costumes With Character
November 1, 2012 - Present
Character mascots; design visuals for clients.
Creative Director; Graphic Designer; Cartoonist at Kevin Harris Promotional Graphics
November 1, 1995 - Present
POS, packaging artwork; on-site concept sketching; client-oriented design.
Freelance Cartoonist at Clear Channel Outdoor UK
October 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006
Illustrated hand-drawn hound dog for billboard campaign; produced by colorists; national campaign.
Director; Art Director; Writer; Storyboard Artist at 4Real Records
June 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
Scripted and directed music video promo for Zeena Gulzar; co-founded indie production team ODDMOB.
Freelance Cartoonist at Hoburne Holidays
July 1, 1998 - December 31, 1998
Created ten key characters for a children's holiday theme park; brand extension across media.
Promotional/Graphic Design and Illustration (Freelance) at Queensland Fire and Emergency Service
May 1, 2023 - Present
Design and develop Bushfire Warnings Poster; vector graphic for a three-panel narrative; full colour original artwork aligned with QFES warnings literature.
Concepts, Character Creator & Design and Production Designer (Freelance) at ViskaToons
August 1, 2021 - Present
Design and create turnarounds for development of 3D multimedia animated TV show characters; Story consultant.
Mascot Design and Concept Art (Freelance) at The Costume Studio/Masked Singer New Zealand
January 1, 2021 - Present
Mascot design and concept art for Masked Singer New Zealand Series 1 & Series 2. NDA prevents further elaboration.
Concepts Character and Graphic Designer / Production Designer (Freelance) at Fika Entertainment
March 1, 2020 - Present
Design and create turnarounds for development of 3D multimedia animated TV show characters. NDA prevents further elaboration.
Concepts, Character and Graphic Designer / Production Designer (Freelance) at OzPix Entertainment
August 1, 2018 - Present
Design and create character concepts and turnarounds for development of 3D multimedia animated TV show. NDA prevents further elaboration.
Mascot Designer at Invictus 2018 Games
August 1, 2018 - February 1, 2019
Design and develop 'Cobber' promotional character mascot for 2018 Invictus Games; for print, web and 3D interactive use.
Concept and Visual Artist / Graphic Designer / Production Designer at Dogs Space Games Hands Across the Galaxy Board Game
June 1, 2018 - April 1, 2019
Design artwork for cards, board game cover, logo; all required artwork and graphic design for the game.
Character Designer / Graphic Designer at CQUniversity
December 1, 2016 - May 1, 2017
Design university cartoon character and mascot; visual turnarounds for injection mould 'toy'; promotional materials.
Character Designer / Production Designer / Graphic Designer / Concept Artist / Background Artist / Cartoonist at Funtik Entertainment
January 1, 2014 - September 1, 2017
Design multiple characters, backgrounds and props for animated TV series Mr Pencil; remote collaboration; lead designer on promotions and advertising.
Freelance Character Designer / Graphic Designer / Cartoonist at The Costume Studio
December 1, 2016 - Present
Character designer, graphic designer, and cartoonist for character mascots for brand visuals; liaised with marketing.
Character Designer / Cartoonist at Auscoz
February 1, 2013 - Present
Design mascots and visuals for clients; liaise with marketing; logos, concept designs, websites & advertising.
Character Designer / Cartoonist at Costumes With Character
November 1, 2012 - Present
Design mascots and visuals for clients; character turnarounds; liaise with marketing.
Creative Director / Graphic Designer / Cartoonist at Kevin Harris Promotional Graphics
November 1, 1995 - Present
Lead graphic design, on-site concepting; POS, packaging artwork, promotions; multiple projects.
Director / Art Director / Writer / Storyboard Artist at 4Real Records
June 1, 1999 - March 1, 2000
Script and direct music video promo; set up independent production team ODDMOB (est. 1999).
Freelance Cartoonist at QMG (Hoburne Holidays)
July 1, 1998 - December 1, 1998
Created ten key characters for a children's holiday theme park visuals and branding materials.
Promotional/Graphic Designer and Illustrator at Queensland Fire and Emergency Service
May 1, 2023 - Present
Freelance promotional/graphic design and illustration for bushfire warnings posters; created vector graphic for a three-panel narrative; produced full-colour original artwork aligned with QFES warnings literature. Tools: pencil and paper; Adobe Photoshop CS; Adobe Illustrator; Adobe Acrobat.
Concepts, Character Designer, Production Designer at OzPix Entertainment
August 1, 2018 - Present
Concepts, character and graphic designer; production designer for development of 3D multimedia animated TV show; NDA restrictions.
Character Designer; Brand Designer at Invictus 2018 Games Mascot
August 1, 2018 - February 1, 2019
Designed and developed ‘Cobber’ promotional character mascot for 2018 Invictus Games; used for print, web, and 3D interactive events.
Concept and Visual Artist; Graphic Designer at Dogs Space Games Hands Across the Galaxy Board Game
June 1, 2018 - April 1, 2019
Designed all artwork and graphic design for board game: cards, board artwork, logo; production artwork.
Character Designer; Graphic Designer at CQUniversity; John Back; Natalie Turner
December 1, 2016 - May 1, 2017
Design University cartoon character and mascot; present visual turnarounds for production of injection mould ‘Toy’; artwork for promotional material (Print and Web).
Character Designer; Production Designer; Graphic Designer; Concept Artist; Background Artist; Cartoonist at Funtik Entertainment
January 1, 2014 - September 1, 2017
Design multiple characters, backgrounds and props for Animated TV series Mr Pencil; remote work; lead designer on promotions and advertising.
Character Designer; Cartoonist at The Costume Studio
February 1, 2013 - Present
Design and visualise character mascots; character turnarounds; liaise with marketing; design logos, concepts, websites & advertising.
Director, Art Director, Writer, Storyboard Artist at 4Real Records
June 1, 1999 - March 1, 2000
Scripted and directed music video promo; formed and led independent production team (ODDMOB, established 1999).
Cartoonist at Hoburne Holidays
July 1, 1998 - December 1, 1998
Created ten key characters for children's holiday theme park branding; extended characters to posters, menus, website, clothing.
Concepts, Character Creator & Design and Production Designer at ViskaToons
August 1, 2021 - Present
Design and create turnarounds for development of 3D multimedia animated TV show characters; story consultant and production designer.
Mascot Designer and Concept Art at The Costume Studio/Masked Singer New Zealand
January 1, 2021 - Present
Mascot design and concept art for Masked Singer New Zealand Series 1 & Series 2; turnarounds for development of 3D multimedia animated TV show characters. NDA prevents further elaboration.
Character and Brand Designer at Invictus 2018 Games Mascot
August 1, 2018 - February 1, 2019
Design and develop ‘Cobber’ promotional character mascot for 2018 Invictus Games; for print, web promotions and 3D interactive display at events.
Concept and Visual Artist and Graphic Designer at Dogs Space Games Hands Across the Galaxy Board Game
June 1, 2018 - April 1, 2019
Design all artwork and graphic design for the game, including cards, board artwork and logo.
Character Designer; Graphic Designer; Cartoonist at The Costume Studio NZ
December 1, 2016 - Present
Design and visualise character mascots for fabrication; character turnarounds; liaise with marketing to create client visuals.

Education

BA (Hons) Visual Communications at Kent Institute of Art and Design, Maidstone, Kent, England
January 1, 1994 - December 31, 1997
BTEC Art and Design at Kent Institute of Art and Design, Canterbury, Kent, England
January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1992
A-Level and GCSE at West Kent College, Tonbridge, Kent, England
January 1, 1985 - December 31, 1990
BA (HONS) Visual Communications at Kent Institute of Art and Design, Maidstone, Kent, England
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1997
BTEC Art and Design at Kent Institute of Art and Design, Canterbury, Kent, England
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1992
A-Level and GCSE at West Kent College, Tonbridge; Cannock School, Chelsfield, Kent, England
January 1, 1985 - January 1, 1990
BA (HONS) Visual Communications at Kent Institute of Art and Design, Maidstone
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1997
BTEC Art and Design at Kent Institute of Art and Design, Canterbury
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1992
A-Level and GCSE at West Kent College; Cannock School
January 1, 1985 - January 1, 1990
BA (HONS) Visual Communications at Kent Institute of Art and Design, Maidstone, Kent, England
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1997
BTEC Art and Design at Kent Institute of Art and Design, Canterbury, Kent, England
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1992
A-Level and GCSE at West Kent College, Tonbridge; Cannock School, Chelsfield, Kent, England
January 1, 1985 - January 1, 1990

Qualifications

BA (HONS) Visual Communications
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1997
BTEC Art and Design
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1992
A-Level and GCSE
January 1, 1985 - January 1, 1990

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Other, Gaming
    paper Board Game Design

    I was hired as the sole artist on this wonderful Project from Dog Space Games’ irreverent board game: “The Hands of the Galaxy” (2018–2019).

    This project was all about designing a visual identity that made the players laugh while enjoying an engaging board game!

    Working remotely, my job was to translate the creators’ unique concept into a cohesive, hilarious experience.

    Key Contributions

    •Sole Creative Execution: I established the entire visual language for the game, delivering high-quality assets ready for print and digital expansion.

    •Visual Humour Specialist: My primary focus was using design to deliver comedy. I was given creative freedom to embed subtle visual gags across the components, reinforcing the game’s core tone of pop-culture/sci-fi parody.

    •The Odd Headline Gag: While the game contained a high volume of witty text, my specific copy input was focused on creating the occasional punchy headline or simple, impactful gag.

    Agile Partnership: We successfully navigated multiple content re-writes under an NDA. The clients’ loyalty to me as the only artist throughout the long-term process cemented a great working bond.

    The game is now progressing through U.S. licensing and distribution negotiations—excited for what’s next!

    uniE621 Anatomy of a Card.
    Attached are the various stages of producing a game card. From concept sketches to final approved design. illustrator designer…
    uniE608 Hands Of The Galaxy
    A short video clip of some further Card Designs explainervideo video animator…
    uniE621 Colour Render of Game Cards
    Final Render for Board Game Cards illustrator designer…
    uniE621 Game Cards Design
    The project required a number of initial sketches to establish a look and feel for the designs of the game cards. Attached are a selection of them. illustrator designer…
    uniE621 Pencil sketches for proppsed Spaceships
    The project required a number of initial sketches to establish a look and feel for the designs of the ships illustrator designer…