Available to hire
Hello, I’m Dan Lish, a Principal Concept Artist and illustrator with over twenty years of experience. I’ve been leading artistic direction for top gaming studios in the UK and America. I specialise in distinctive character designs and environmental concepts that align with and enhance the game’s vision and monetisation strategies.
Known for my artistic versatility, I craft diverse visual narratives that appeal to various audiences, from game cover art to murals. I excel in mentoring and nurturing artistic talent within teams, fostering a culture of creativity and innovation. I am dedicated to shaping game aesthetics and guiding projects from initial concept to final execution, with a strong preference for remote work to maximise productivity and focus.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Principal Concept Artist at Soul Assembly
November 1, 2024 - September 14, 2025Delivered a complete suite of 2D cut-scenes in a comic-book illustration style to establish the visual narrative for an unannounced VR title. Created original character and prop designs that defined the game’s distinctive style and tone. Adapted quickly to remote workflows and collaborated across departments to maintain a consistent artistic vision.
Principal Concept Artist at Mythical Games
December 31, 2024 - September 14, 2025Created character styles and environmental concepts for Blankos Block Party, NFL Rivals and Nitro Nation. Produced in-game texture art, box art, and character skins within Studio OSX, ensuring a cohesive visual narrative across assets. Directed the overall game style and established/maintained style guides to support a monetisation-driven design approach.
Lead Concept Artist at Bossa Studios
December 31, 2018 - September 14, 2025Generated innovative concept art for BAFTA-winning titles Surgeon Sim, Monster Mind and Worlds Adrift, adapting styles to evolving project requirements. Designed and executed studio and exterior murals to reinforce brand identity. Developed visual guidelines and maintained artistic coherence throughout development; produced diverse art styles and facilitated creative workshops with founders.
Lead Concept Artist at Freestyle Games
December 31, 2011 - September 14, 2025Developed original and licensed character designs, as well as interior and exterior environments, for the DJ Hero franchise. Defined the visual style for the Front End and created merchandising artwork. Conceptualised and illustrated iconic characters for the DJ Hero series and contributed artwork for high-profile gaming magazines.
Concept Artist at Zoe Mode
December 31, 2008 - September 14, 2025Developed original character concepts and environmental designs for Rock Revolution and In The Movies. Created immersive game environments that supported gameplay mechanics and narrative objectives. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive artistic direction.
Concept / Graphic Artist at Rockstar Games
December 31, 2004 - September 14, 2025Developed concept art and character designs for high-profile titles such as GTA: Vice City, The Warriors, Serious Sam 2, and Motor Cross Mania 3. Directed character development for The Warriors and aided the evolution of Serious Sam 2’s visual aesthetic. Translated abstract ideas into concrete visuals across platforms.
Graphic Artist at Take 2 Interactive - Gotham Games
December 31, 2003 - September 14, 2025Directed art projects and managed the development of visual concepts for Serious Sam 1, The Great Escape, Conflict Desert Storm, and Starsky & Hutch. Created compelling game cover designs and standardised concept designs across multiple platforms. Played a pivotal role in the visual development of Serious Sam 1 and oversaw creative processes with cross-functional teams.
Principal Concept Artist at Soul Assembly
November 1, 2024 - September 14, 2025Delivered a full suite of 2D cut scenes in a comic book illustration style that shaped the visual storytelling for an unannounced VR title. Developed original character and prop designs that defined the game's distinctive style and tone. Adapted quickly to remote workflows, collaborating across departments to maintain a consistent artistic vision.
Principal Concept Artist at Mythical Games
December 31, 2024 - September 14, 2025Created character styles and environmental concepts for Blankos Block Party, NFL Rivals and Nitro Nation. Produced in-game texture art, box art, and character skins within Studio OSX, ensuring a cohesive visual narrative across assets. Directed the overall game style and maintained style guides for Blankos Block Party; contributed to a monetisation model based on original designs and experimented with style guides to enhance project versatility. Shaped the artistic direction during conception by crafting distinctive character styles for each idea.
Lead Concept Artist at Bossa Studios London
December 31, 2018 - September 14, 2025Generated concept art for BAFTA-winning titles Surgeon Sim, Monster Mind and Worlds Adrift, adapting styles to evolving project needs. Collaborated with founders during Game Jam sessions to translate ideas into visual narratives. Designed and executed studio and exterior murals to reinforce brand identity, maintained artistic coherence with design docs, developed visual guidelines, produced diverse art styles, facilitated workshops, and transformed studio spaces with murals.
Lead Concept Artist at Freestyle Games
December 31, 2011 - September 14, 2025Developed original and licensed character designs and environments for the DJ Hero franchise. Defined the visual style for the Front End, created merchandising illustrations, and generated iconic character designs for magazines, elevating the franchise’s profile in the entertainment industry.
Concept Artist at Zoe Mode
December 31, 2008 - September 14, 2025Developed original character concepts and environmental designs for Rock Revolution and In The Movies. Created visuals that align with game narratives and player experience objectives, designed immersive environments, collaborated with cross-functional teams, and adapted artistic style to evolving industry needs.
Concept / Graphic Artist at Rockstar Games
December 31, 2004 - September 14, 2025Developed concept art and character designs for GTA: Vice City, The Warriors, Serious Sam 2, and Motor Cross Mania 3. Led visual development for GTA: Vice City, directed character development for The Warriors, and helped evolve Serious Sam 2's visual aesthetic. Translated ideas into concrete visuals across platforms to maintain visual consistency.
Graphic Artist at Take 2 Interactive - Gotham Games
December 31, 2003 - September 14, 2025Directed art projects and developed visual concepts for Serious Sam 1, The Great Escape, Conflict Desert Storm, and Starski & Hutch. Created game cover designs that captured each title's essence and standardized concept designs across platforms. Managed art direction for Celebrity Death Match and contributed to Serious Sam 1's visuals through cross-functional collaboration.
Principal Concept Artist at Soul Assembly
November 1, 2024 - September 14, 2025Delivered a full suite of 2D cut scenes in a comic book illustration style to shape the visual storytelling for an unannounced VR title; developed original character and prop designs defining the game’s distinctive style and tone; adapted quickly to remote workflows and collaborated across departments to maintain a consistent artistic vision.
Principal Concept Artist at Mythical Games
January 1, 2024 - September 14, 2025Created character styles and environmental concepts for Blankos Block Party, NFL Rivals and Nitro Nation; produced in-game texture art, box art, and character skins within Studio OSX; directed overall game style and maintained style guides; contributed to a monetisation model based on original designs and experimental style guides for various concepts; helped shape distinctive character styles during concept phase.
Lead Concept Artist at Bossa Studios
January 1, 2018 - September 14, 2025Generated innovative concept art for BAFTA-winning titles Surgeon Sim, Monster Mind and Worlds Adrift; collaborated with founders during Game Jam sessions; designed and executed studio and exterior murals; developed visual guidelines and maintained artistic coherence throughout development; produced diverse art styles for multiple titles; facilitated workshops with founders to generate new concepts.
Lead Concept Artist at Freestyle Games
January 1, 2011 - September 14, 2025Developed original and licensed character designs and interior/exterior environments for the DJ Hero franchise; defined the visual style for the Front End; crafted illustrations and designs for merchandising; conceived iconic character designs for DJ Hero and contributed magazine illustrations to raise franchise profile.
Concept Artist at Zoe Mode
January 1, 2008 - September 14, 2025Developed original character concepts and environmental designs for Rock Revolution and In The Movies; leveraged 20+ years of experience to align visuals with narratives and gameplay; collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive artistic direction; adapted styles to evolving industry needs.
Concept Artist at Rockstar Games
January 1, 2004 - September 14, 2025Developed concept art and character designs for GTA: Vice City, The Warriors, Serious Sam 2, and Motor Cross Mania 3; directed character development for major titles and facilitated visual evolution across platforms; translated abstract ideas into concrete visuals and maintained visual consistency across game development.
Graphic Artist at Take 2 Interactive - Gotham Games
January 1, 2003 - September 14, 2025Directed art projects and managed visual concepts for Serious Sam 1, The Great Escape, Conflict Desert Storm and Starski & Hutch; created game cover designs; standardised concept designs across platforms; led visual development for Serious Sam 1 and collaborated across teams to meet milestones.
Education
HND in Illustration at Portsmouth University
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1992HND in Illustration at Portsmouth University
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1992HND in Illustration at Portsmouth University
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1992Qualifications
Industry Experience
Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Hire a Concept Artist
We have the best concept artist experts on Twine. Hire a concept artist in Brighton today.