David Ryan Paul
David Ryan Paul
Art Director @ ProbablyMonsters
Seattle, United States

David Ryan Paul is an Art Director, Visual Development Artist and Illustrator based in Seattle, Washington. During his career in the games industry he has worked for LucasArts, EA/Popcap, and ArenaNet, across a broad spectrum of genres and platforms as both a generalist and specialist. He enjoys building great teams, while creating and maintaining an exciting, cohesive vision.

Resume PDF

Skills

Art DirectionConcept ArtArt Team Management

Software proficiency

Photoshop
Photoshop
SketchBook Pro
SketchBook Pro

Experience

  • Art Director at ProbablyMonsters
    Bellevue, WA
    July 2020 - October 2024

    - Established the art style.

    - Created concept art for characters, environments, VFX, key art and pitch materials.

    - Created artistic pillars.

    - Curated reference material.

    - Created the Art Style Guide.

    - Provided written and visual feedback for concept art, modeling, UI, animation and VFX.

    - Contributed to lore and tone writing.

    - Hiring manager with reports across all aspects of art production.

  • Art Director at Unknown Worlds
    San Francisco
    October 2019 - July 2020

    - Managed internal and external artists

    - Researched and provided inspiration examples via image libraries, and image boards.

  • Art Director at ArenaNet
    Bellevue
    October 2017 - February 2019

    - Managed a team of over thirteen artists encompassing concept, modeling, animation, UI, and VFX.

    - Provided art direction for backgrounds, animation, cinematics, VFX and UI via storyboards,

    concept art, key animation flipbooks, paint overs, red lines, with additional written and verbal

    communication.

    - Worked with designers and artists to develop and refine skills, units and mechanics.

    - Worked with engineers to push the engine to deliver cutting edge 2D and 3D art and animation

    while maintaining efficiency.

    - Worked with UX/UI artists to maintain a cohesive, clear style.

    - Worked with narrative design to develop game theme.

    - Researched and provided inspiration examples via image libraries, and custom reference gifs.

    - Worked with Marketing to direct game logo development, and promotional materials (toys/statues

    of key assets, outsourced cinematics).

  • Co-founder and Art Director at ATOMJACK
    Seattle
    October 2013 - May 2015

    - Provided thorough art direction for an action adventure, “Metroidvania” style game.

    - Developed illustrations and concept art for pitch presentation that secured a publishing deal for

    the company.

    - Worked with lead designer and engineers to define a cohesive, functional, and vibrant art style for

    the game which employed 3D characters interacting with 2D environments.

    - Created style guide for characters, environments, VFX, props and promotional art.

    - Created concept art for all game assets including model sheets for 3D artists.

    - Provided animation direction for animators.

    - Created 2D artwork in Photoshop for all game level assets and implemented them into Unity.

    - Created VFX using Photoshop, Unity particle systems and proprietary tools.

    - Managed art team.

  • Art Director at EA/Popcap
    Seattle
    November 2009 - October 2013

    - Provided art direction for backgrounds, animations, VFX and UI.

    - Worked with designers to develop new hero and enemy units and mechanics, and game play

    scenarios. This included concept art, and animation mock up in Photoshop and Flash.

    - Worked with engineers to push the engine to deliver cutting edge 2D art and animation while

    maintaining efficiency.

    - Created VFX using Photoshop and Flash.

    - Created and animated selection of hero units in Flash.

    - Worked with UX/UI artists to maintain a cohesive, clear style.

    - Managed art team.

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