Hi, I am Yergali Yelshibekov, a concept artist and digital illustrator with a passion for crafting cohesive visual identities for games and NFT projects. I have led art teams, created high-quality character designs, and helped grow community engagement through compelling visuals and brand-aligned design. My work balances historical accuracy, narrative-driven illustration, and efficient production workflows to deliver impactful assets on time. I thrive on collaborating with cross-functional teams to push creative boundaries, refine visual styles, and translate client needs into memorable art that resonates with audiences. I'm excited to bring storytelling through visuals to new projects and contribute to elevated player experiences.…

Yergali Yelshibekov

Hi, I am Yergali Yelshibekov, a concept artist and digital illustrator with a passion for crafting cohesive visual identities for games and NFT projects. I have led art teams, created high-quality character designs, and helped grow community engagement through compelling visuals and brand-aligned design. My work balances historical accuracy, narrative-driven illustration, and efficient production workflows to deliver impactful assets on time. I thrive on collaborating with cross-functional teams to push creative boundaries, refine visual styles, and translate client needs into memorable art that resonates with audiences. I'm excited to bring storytelling through visuals to new projects and contribute to elevated player experiences.…

Available to hire

Hi, I am Yergali Yelshibekov, a concept artist and digital illustrator with a passion for crafting cohesive visual identities for games and NFT projects. I have led art teams, created high-quality character designs, and helped grow community engagement through compelling visuals and brand-aligned design. My work balances historical accuracy, narrative-driven illustration, and efficient production workflows to deliver impactful assets on time.

I thrive on collaborating with cross-functional teams to push creative boundaries, refine visual styles, and translate client needs into memorable art that resonates with audiences. I’m excited to bring storytelling through visuals to new projects and contribute to elevated player experiences.

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Language

Russian
Fluent
Turkish
Fluent
English
Fluent

Work Experience

Concept Artist & Digital Illustrator at Bannerlord2, Taleworlds Community
June 1, 2024 - Present
Engineered detailed character designs and unit illustrations, leading to a 40% increase in positive user reviews and enhancing overall player satisfaction as measured through feedback collected on gaming platforms. Formulated visual character concepts and unit illustrations resonating with target demographics, engaging over 35,000 players in the first month post-launch and boosting community involvement. Developed a comprehensive art asset library featuring historically accurate designs utilized in 3 major game titles, positively impacting player retention rates by 22%. Led initiatives to revamp existing art assets focusing on historical accuracy, achieving a measurable increase in player satisfaction scores and a 58% reduction in negative reviews.
Art Team Lead at HistoriaNFT Gamify Project
May 31, 2024 - July 18, 2025
Engaged the art team in producing high-quality line art, flat coloring, and polished illustrations, driving a cohesive visual style that elevated the project's impact and consistently exceeded project standards. Delivered engaging animations for demos and advertisements, increasing visibility and community interest. Established a unique artistic style integrating client brand guidelines to create a compelling visual identity. Successfully launched NFTs valued at 1,000 SOL, resulting in a surge of community engagement and substantial revenue generation. Achieved remarkable MVP production and secured venture capital commitments raising approximately $6 million to develop a thriving community hub for historical and NFT enthusiasts.
Project Art Manager at Snkrsden
January 31, 2021 - July 18, 2025
Managed art-focused projects, driving a 78% increase in app subscriptions and significantly boosting user engagement. Directed creation and implementation of digital illustrations and visual assets, contributing to a 65% reduction in project turnaround time. Collaborated with coders to resolve technical issues swiftly, improving app performance and user satisfaction. Compiled and analyzed defect reports, improving digital illustration processes by 40%. Conducted business and project mapping, optimizing workflows and integrating art into web3 platforms like MetaPlex and SolSea, resulting in an 87% increase in platform activity due to impactful design and strategic market placement.
Brand Exec at FES INC
April 30, 2016 - July 18, 2025
Designed and implemented innovative brand strategies, resulting in an 87% increase in visibility within Horeca and key accounts, ensuring dominant market positioning. Developed and executed high-impact brand campaigns, achieving 96% regional coverage and substantial market engagement. Launched and managed successful trade programs and account loyalty initiatives, strengthening brand loyalty, boosting repeat business, and expanding market reach. Orchestrated the integration of brand strategy with market placement, significantly increasing account acquisition and retention within the restaurant industry.
Concept Artist & Digital Illustrator at TaleWorlds
June 1, 2024 - Present
Engineered detailed character designs and unit illustrations, leading to a 40% increase in positive user reviews and enhanced overall player satisfaction as measured through feedback on gaming platforms.
Project Art Team Lead at Historia NFT Gamify
May 1, 2024 - September 20, 2025
Led the art team for the Historia NFT Gamify project; produced high-quality line art, flat coloring, and polished illustrations; established a cohesive visual style that elevated the project’s impact and community engagement.
Project Art Manager at Snkrsden
January 1, 2021 - September 20, 2025
Managed art-focused projects, driving a 78% increase in app subscriptions and significantly boosting user engagement.
Brand Exec at Fesinc
April 1, 2016 - September 20, 2025
Designed and implemented innovative brand strategies, leading to an 87% increase in visibility within Horeca and key accounts.

Education

Master of Art and Illustration at UIB, Almaty, Kazakhstan
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2013
Bachelor of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering at Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2010
Master of Art and Illustration at Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
January 11, 2030 - September 20, 2025
Bachelor of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering at Almaty, Kazakhstan
January 11, 2030 - September 20, 2025

Qualifications

Digital Illustrator CGI Certificate
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Digital Illustrator
January 11, 2030 - September 20, 2025
CGI Certificate
January 1, 2019 - September 20, 2025

Industry Experience

Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Consumer Goods, Retail, Software & Internet, Professional Services, Education
    uniE621 Tales World/Bannerlord2 Mod Community Character Dev
    Project: Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord – Modding Community Contributions Role: Character Concept Artist – Faction and Unit Development As a character concept artist within the Bannerlord 2 modding community, I contributed to the visual development of original and historically inspired factions, focusing on creating cohesive and immersive unit designs. My role involved extensive research into medieval cultures and equipment, particularly from Eurasian, Turkic, and Eastern European contexts, to ensure each concept respected historical authenticity while supporting creative gameplay adaptation. I produced detailed turnaround sheets and armor breakdowns for various troop tiers, from levy infantry to elite cavalry units. Working closely with 3D modelers, writers, and gameplay designers, I helped define faction identities through visual storytelling, balancing realism with stylized elements that fit Bannerlord's game engine and aesthetic. These designs served as foundational references for rigging, sculpting, and in-game integration, enhancing both the visual fidelity and narrative depth of the mods.…
    uniE621 Tales World/Bannerlord2 Mod Community Character Dev
    Project: Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord – Modding Community Contributions Role: Character Concept Artist – Faction and Unit Development As a character concept artist within the Bannerlord 2 modding community, I contributed to the visual development of original and historically inspired factions, focusing on creating cohesive and immersive unit designs. My role involved extensive research into medieval cultures and equipment, particularly from Eurasian, Turkic, and Eastern European contexts, to ensure each concept respected historical authenticity while supporting creative gameplay adaptation. I produced detailed turnaround sheets and armor breakdowns for various troop tiers, from levy infantry to elite cavalry units. Working closely with 3D modelers, writers, and gameplay designers, I helped define faction identities through visual storytelling, balancing realism with stylized elements that fit Bannerlord's game engine and aesthetic. These designs served as foundational references for rigging, sculpting, and in-game integration, enhancing both the visual fidelity and narrative depth of the mods.…
    paper Attila Total War SEGA /1212 Mod community project

    As a contributing concept artist to the 1212 AD Mod for Total War: Attila, I focused on developing historically grounded unit concepts that reflect the diverse military aesthetics of the High Medieval period. My work involved close collaboration with historians and mod developers to ensure that each unit design was both visually compelling and culturally authentic.

    This included detailed studies and illustrations of armor, heraldry, weaponry, and regional uniform styles across various European, Middle Eastern, and Eurasian factions. Each concept aimed to support 3D modelers with accurate visual blueprints while enhancing the immersive quality of the game’s battlefield experience. I approached every design with an emphasis on realism, faction identity, and battlefield functionality, helping bring the late 13th-century military world to life.