Hyoung Taek Nam Senior Character Concept Artist & Illustrator Hyoung Taek Nam is a veteran concept artist with over 20 years of experience shaping the visual landscape of the entertainment industry. Most recently, he served as a Principal Character Concept Artist at Naughty Dog, where for over 16 years he played a foundational role in the artistic development of the The Last of Us and Uncharted franchises. A versatile creator, Hyoung Taek bridges the gap between digital and traditional media, utilizing a toolkit that ranges from ZBrush and Blender to Oil and Watercolor painting. His portfolio spans across AAA gaming, live-action television—including creature design for HBO’s The Last of Us—and narrative illustration for Magic: The Gathering. An honors graduate of Art Center College of Design, he is also a dedicated educator who has lectured globally on the principles of realistic character design.

Hyoung Taek Nam

Hyoung Taek Nam Senior Character Concept Artist & Illustrator Hyoung Taek Nam is a veteran concept artist with over 20 years of experience shaping the visual landscape of the entertainment industry. Most recently, he served as a Principal Character Concept Artist at Naughty Dog, where for over 16 years he played a foundational role in the artistic development of the The Last of Us and Uncharted franchises. A versatile creator, Hyoung Taek bridges the gap between digital and traditional media, utilizing a toolkit that ranges from ZBrush and Blender to Oil and Watercolor painting. His portfolio spans across AAA gaming, live-action television—including creature design for HBO’s The Last of Us—and narrative illustration for Magic: The Gathering. An honors graduate of Art Center College of Design, he is also a dedicated educator who has lectured globally on the principles of realistic character design.

Available to hire

Hyoung Taek Nam
Senior Character Concept Artist & Illustrator

Hyoung Taek Nam is a veteran concept artist with over 20 years of experience shaping the visual landscape of the entertainment industry. Most recently, he served as a Principal Character Concept Artist at Naughty Dog, where for over 16 years he played a foundational role in the artistic development of the The Last of Us and Uncharted franchises.
A versatile creator, Hyoung Taek bridges the gap between digital and traditional media, utilizing a toolkit that ranges from ZBrush and Blender to Oil and Watercolor painting. His portfolio spans across AAA gaming, live-action television—including creature design for HBO’s The Last of Us—and narrative illustration for Magic: The Gathering. An honors graduate of Art Center College of Design, he is also a dedicated educator who has lectured globally on the principles of realistic character design.

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Language

Korean
Fluent
English
Fluent

Work Experience

Principal Character Concept Artist at Naughty Dog
June 1, 2009 - November 1, 2025
Developed character, environment, and prop concepts for multiple AAA titles across PlayStation 3, 4, and 5 consoles.
Senior Character Concept Artist/ Consulting Creature Designer at HBO
August 1, 2022 - September 1, 2024
Collaborated with VFX to design the 'Child Clicker' for HBO's The Last of Us (Ep. 5), providing original character concepts and visual guidance for live-action adaptation. Contributions also across The Last of Us Part 1 and Part 2 for HBO Max.
Concept Artist at Nihilistic Software
April 1, 2008 - May 1, 2009
Designed comprehensive visual assets—including characters, vehicles, and environments—for Xbox 360 and PS3 titles, alongside conceptualizing art for confidential internal pitches.
Concept Artist at Perpetual Entertainment
May 1, 2004 - March 1, 2008
Conceptualized and developed diverse assets—including characters, vehicles, and environments—for Star Trek Online, ensuring brand-accurate visual storytelling within the iconic franchise.
Textile Designer at Foria International
June 1, 2003 - April 1, 2004
Created seasonal textiles, logos, and visual assets for men’s and women’s casual apparel.
Senior Illustrator at Hasbro Inc
September 1, 2025 - Present
Designed narrative-driven character and environment illustrations for card-based gameplay, focusing on composition and storytelling.
Cover Artist (Contract) at Stranger Comics
June 1, 2006 - Present
Conceptualized and designed cover illustrations for The Untamed, Niobe, Dusu, Tales of Asunda, Escape Velocity and Win City.
Concept Artist at The Mission Entertainment
March 1, 2020 - May 1, 2020
Conceptualized and designed production illustrations for the characters and environments for an announced TV series.
Cover Artist (Contract) at Applibot
August 1, 2017 - May 1, 2018
Conceptualized and executed high-end cover illustrations for characters and environments, adapting to traditional Japanese manga aesthetics and visual storytelling conventions.

Education

Bachelor of Illustration at Art Center College of Design
January 11, 2030 - February 7, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

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