I am an empathetic, patient, and reliable illustrator for corporate, editorial, and entertainment projects. I emphasize doing what is best in any situation. I am a great listener who can read between the lines and navigate the needs of various stakeholders. I have led teams and campaigns across branding, design, and storytelling, delivering world-building art and narrative design for video games and comics. My work spans major brands and startups alike, blending creative vision with practical execution to drive growth and impact.…

Michael Grills

I am an empathetic, patient, and reliable illustrator for corporate, editorial, and entertainment projects. I emphasize doing what is best in any situation. I am a great listener who can read between the lines and navigate the needs of various stakeholders. I have led teams and campaigns across branding, design, and storytelling, delivering world-building art and narrative design for video games and comics. My work spans major brands and startups alike, blending creative vision with practical execution to drive growth and impact.…

Available to hire

I am an empathetic, patient, and reliable illustrator for corporate, editorial, and entertainment projects. I emphasize doing what is best in any situation. I am a great listener who can read between the lines and navigate the needs of various stakeholders.

I have led teams and campaigns across branding, design, and storytelling, delivering world-building art and narrative design for video games and comics. My work spans major brands and startups alike, blending creative vision with practical execution to drive growth and impact.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Instructor - Game Design and Concept Art at Bow Valley College
January 1, 2024 - Present
Instructs students in game design and concept art; develops curricula; mentors students; contributes to program development.
Creative Director at Matrix Labs
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2024
Led creative direction for design and branding across multiple projects; oversaw visual storytelling, branding, and art direction.
Creative Director at New World Interactive
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2022
Directed creative strategy for video game branding; contributed to world-building, narrative design, and art direction.
Owner/ Art Director at Michael Grills Illustration
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2021
Owned and led art direction for an illustration business; built branding and advertising design for major brands; world and narrative design for video games and comic books; pitched and funded ventures; managed outsourcing and remote teams.
Instructor Education and Professional Development at University of Calgary
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2020
Instructor in education and professional development; curriculum design for continuing education; program development.

Education

BFA – Visual Communications at Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary, Alberta
January 11, 2030 - May 29, 2026
Course Design for Continuing Ed. Instructors at University of Calgary
January 11, 2030 - May 29, 2026
Full Stack Development Training at Lighthouse Labs
January 11, 2030 - May 29, 2026
Culture Index Training at Culture Index
January 11, 2030 - May 29, 2026
Communications Training at Culture Counts
January 11, 2030 - May 29, 2026

Qualifications

PMP Certification
January 11, 2030 - May 29, 2026

Industry Experience

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

Skills

Experience Level