Shan Qiao

Shan Qiao is an Adjunct Instructor and award-winning concept artist specialized in video game and film production. He currently works at Sony Santa Monica Studio on the God of War series, contributing to characters like Surtr and Freya under art directors Raf Grassetti and Dela Longfish. His career includes collaborations with Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, and Tencent, with notable works in Overwatch, League of Legends, and Honor of Kings. He actively educates the next generation of artists in the U.S. and internationally, sharing industry techniques to prepare students for professional careers.

His research interests focus on blending traditional artistry with cutting-edge digital tools, emphasizing storytelling through environmental and character design. Projects like the steampunk samurai mashup and the emotional narrative of 'Old man and his son' showcase his ability to merge technical skill with creative storytelling. His work has been featured in ImagineFX, Spectrum, and Infected by Art.

• Scientific Awards: Participant of the CGTrader Digital Art Competition

Shan’s advising focuses on original projects like his animated short Prolon and personal explorations of Dune and Jurassic Park aesthetics. His team collaborations at Sony and other studios highlight strengths in asset integration and art direction alignment.

Labs/Teams: Core contributor to Sony Santa Monica’s God of War team; collaborator with Raf Grassetti’s art direction; contributor to cross-studio projects with Riot Games and Tencent.