Summary
I'm Ryan Alexander Lee, a passionate illustrator and concept artist with a sturdy foundation in traditional art mediums and years of experience bringing imaginative worlds to life. Trained across a wide variety of 2D tool sets like Photoshop, Clip Studio, Procreate and more - I also can bring the qualities of traditional mediums into my digital work thanks to my experience with pencil, ink, charcoal, oil painting, sculpture, and more. I excel at rapidly iterating and communicating ideas through dynamic visuals and strong compositions - whether crafting character illustrations, creatures, props, or environments.
My career began at a San Francisco Concept Art House, collaborating with top-tier talent to create concept, production, and polish artwork for renowned game studios like Disney, Square-Enix, and Ubisoft. At Riot Games, I currently help guide Art Outsourcing for VALORANT, partnering with global teams to deliver vibrant, player-focused assets while continuing to hone my craft in visual storytelling and world-building.
Skills
Software proficiency
Productions
- Video GameVALORANT
- Year2017
- Role2D Illustrator
- CompanyRiot Games
- Video GameAssassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
- Year2013
- RoleStoryboard and Marketing Artist
- Companyubisoft
Experience
- Illustration & Concept Art Outsourcing at Riot GamesMercer Island, USMarch 2025 - Present
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including illustrators, concept artists, 3D modelers, and animators, to conceptualize and deliver high-quality visual assets for VALORANT Premium Content, such as Player Cards, Sprays, in-game accessories, and visual effects, enhancing the immersive game world.
Serve as a key contributor to Agent Likeness fidelity, ensuring visual assets align with VALORANT’s IP and artistic vision, maintaining consistency across characters and thematic elements.
Provide artistic direction and detailed feedback to external art outsourcing partners, ensuring their work meets VALORANT’s high standards for quality, style, and thematic coherence.
Partner with teams beyond core scope, including narrative and gameplay teams, to integrate visual assets that support storytelling and gameplay mechanics, fostering a cohesive player experience.
Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, proactively communicating progress, addressing challenges, and ensuring timely delivery of visually stunning content to meet global player expectations.
- Character Concept Art Lead at N3twork StudiosRemote, USJanuary 2023 - July 2024
I develop character concepts across multiple projects, while also managing teams of artists across a diverse range of artistic styles/disciplines. I interface with animators and special effects artists to generate impactful character assets. Additionally, my organizational skills play a crucial role in managing and tracking important deadlines, ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of content for live game operations.
- Principal Artist - Ryan Lee LLC - Writer & Illustrator at Hessyst: Book One - Graphic NovelSan Francisco, United States of AmericaJune 2020 - Present
Helmed, designed, scripted, and illustrated a Dark-Fantasy graphic novel saga due for limited physical release in Q3 2022. Learn more at www.hessyst.com
- Artist at Fogbank EntertainmentSan Francisco, United States of AmericaMarch 2018 - February 2020
Worked closely with a team of artists and designers on Storybook games for mobile. Specific roles involved concept art for creatures and characters, environment design, and illustration key art for important narrative scenes.
- Concept Artist at MZPalo Alto, United States of AmericaMarch 2017 - March 2018
Worked with a team of Artists in the Game Department on Concept and Marketing art for various titles including Game of War and Final Fantasy XV.
- Artist at UbisoftSan Francisco, United States of AmericaMay 2010 - May 2013
Worked closely with the Marketing Art department on a number of IPs under the Assassin’s Creed banner, as well as provided Storyboards, Concept Art, Illustration, and direction on numerous other titles including Far Cry, Splinter Cell, Watch Dogs, and Rabbids.
- Marketing Artist at Kabam Inc.San Francisco, United States of AmericaMarch 2014 - March 2017
Worked as an in-house Concept Artist for the Marketing Department at Kabam Inc. creating Concept Art, Illustration, and Storyboards for various titles and IPs including Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings.
- Artist at Wizards of the CoastUnited States of AmericaJanuary 2013 - December 2021
Ongoing experience creating card illustration for Magic: The Gathering. Recently created 4 illustrations for a Secret Lair Artist Series pending imminent release. In the past I’ve been invited to the HQ of Wizards of the Coast to work in-house with other artists devising the concepts for future releases. Some of my contributions in this department include work for Zendikar, Amonkhet, and Innistrad. I have also contributed illustration work to official Dungeons & Dragons campaign books.