Summary
DanielDociu@gmail.com
425 883 9007 h.
425 443 0179 c.
LinkedIn / Facebook / ArtStation
Daniel Dociu is an award winning sci-fi and fantasy artist in the entertainment industry. Raised in the capital of Transylvania, in Romania, Daniel studied art and architecture, earning a Master Degree in Industrial Design from the Academy of Fine Arts. He moved to the US in 1990 after spending two years in Athens, Greece and he has lived in the Seattle area for the last 28 years. After working as a toy designer, Dociu changed careers and joined the interactive entertainment industry in 1993.
He has worked in an Art Director capacity for the some of the most prominent publishers and developers. Daniel is also a prolific freelance artist, with notable contributions to publications, advertising, film as well as educational speaking engagements all over the world.
WORK HISTORY
2020-Present, Studio Art Director, One More Game
2019-2020, Original IP Visual Identity Development Consultant
• Clients include: The Expanse, Dune, Disney, Microsoft, Wizards of the Coast, Tor Books, Honda, National Geographic, The Wachowskis, Sara Brightman, THQ, 2K
2017-19, Director of Art, Amazon Game Studios
• Overseeing art development across all Amazon Game Studios
2007-17 NCsoft West, Chief Art Director
• Overseeing art development for several unannounced titles across all NCsoft's North American studios, with primary focus on ArenaNet's Guild Wars franchise.
2003-17 ArenaNet, Art Director / Concept Artist
• Guild Wars 2
• Guild Wars 2 Heart of Thorns
• Guild Wars: Eye Of the North
• Guild Wars Nightfall
• Guild Wars Factions
• Guild Wars
2000-03 EA Canada, Creative Art Director / Concept Artist
• SSX 3
• Triple Play 2003
• Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
• James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing
• James Bond 007: NightFire
• FIFA Soccer 2002
• SSX Tricky
1996-00 Zipper Interactive, Art Director / Concept Artist
• SOCOM: US Navy Seals
• Crimson Skies
• MechWarrior III
• MechWarrior: Pirates’ Moon
• Recoil
1994-96 Electronic Arts Seattle, Art Director / Concept Artist
• Reboot
• FIFA
1992-94 SquareSoft, Art Director / Concept Artist
• Secret of Evermore
• Shadow Madness (development completed by Big Rain / Crave)
1990-92 Ace Novelty: Entertainment Product Designer
1989-90 Gourlis Signs (Athens, Greece), Graphic Designer
1986-89 Fine Arts Academy (Cluj, Romania), Assistant Professor
1982-86 Industrial Designer (Romania)
Masters Degree in Industrial Design
• Fine Arts Academy of Cluj, Romania, class of 1982
AWARDS
Game Developer Magazine Power 50
• Top Ten Influential Artists 2012
Spectrum, The Best In Contemporary Fantastic Art
• Spectrum 20, Silver Medal, Concept Art
• Spectrum 19, Silver Medal, Concept Art
• Spectrum 17, Gold Medal, Concept Art
• Spectrum 16, Gold Medal, Concept Art
• Spectrum 15, Gold and Silver Medal, Concept Art
• Spectrum 14, Gold Medal, Concept Art
• Spectrum 13, Silver Medal, Concept Art
• Spectrum 13-19, numerous pieces published
Luerzer's Archive:
• 200 Best Digital Artists 2023
• 200 Best Digital Artists/ Illustrators Worldwide 2021-2022
• 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide 2018-2019
• 200 Best Digital Artists Worldwide 2017-2018
• 200 Best Digital Artists Worldwide 2013-2014
• 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide 2011-2012
• 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide 2009-2010
Best Art Direction, Guild Wars 2
NBCNews.com 2012
Into The Pixel
• 2016 gallery show selection
• 2013 gallery show selection
• 2012 gallery show selection
• 2010 gallery show selection
• 2009 gallery show selection
• 2008 Judging Panel
• 2007 gallery show selection
• 2006 gallery show selection
EXPOSÉ, Ballistic Annual
• EXPOSÉ 9, Grand Master, Career Achievement
Past honorees: Syd Mead, H R Giger, Ralph McQuarrie
• EXPOSÉ 7, Master Award
• EXPOSÉ 6, Master Award, Environment Art
Excellence Award, Science Fiction Art
• EXPOSÉ 5, Master Award, Transport Art
Excellence Award, Creature Design
Excellence Award, Science Fiction Art
Excellence Award, Concept Art
Excellence Award, Environment art
• EXPOSÉ 4, Masater Award, Best Environment
Master Award, Best Cityscape
CGHUB, Master Artist Award