Meet Gaowen Fu | Visual development Artist & Concept Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gaowen Fu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gaowen, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?

One thing about the gaming and entertainment industries that outsiders are probably unaware of is the intense collaboration and iteration required to bring a single concept to life. During my time as a Visual Development Artist at Blizzard Entertainment, I’ve learned that designing characters, creatures, or environments isn’t just about making something visually stunning—it’s about creating designs that resonate with the game’s narrative, gameplay mechanics, and the expectations of our audience. Every design goes through countless reviews and refinements, involving feedback from art directors, animators, writers, and even sound designers to ensure it fits seamlessly into the game’s world.

What might surprise people is how technical this work can be. As a Visual Development artist, I often combine my background in traditional art with advanced 3D tools to experiment with forms, lighting, and materials. At Blizzard, this balance between creativity and technical expertise is key to delivering the immersive, high-quality visuals that define our games. It’s a constant learning process, but it’s incredibly rewarding to see my work contribute to worlds that players around the globe get to explore and enjoy.

Alright, so let’s jump right in! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there a person, group, organization, book, etc that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?

A special shoutout goes to Tomutsu Takishima. His mentorship not only sharpened my technical skills but also helped me develop the mindset needed to thrive in this competitive industry. He has been very influential on my work to this day. I’m also deeply grateful for my time at Blizzard Entertainment. Working alongside such passionate and talented individuals on extremely successful franchises such as Diablo IV, Overwatch, World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, World of Warcraft: The War Within, and Warcraft Rumble, has been an incredible learning experience. The collaborative environment and high standards of creativity at Blizzard have played a pivotal role in shaping my career and pushing my artistic abilities to new heights.

Please tell us more about your career. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

My career as a Visual Development Artist has been a journey shaped by passion, persistence, and continuous learning. What sets me apart from other professionals in the field is my ability to bridge the gap between realism and stylization, blending technical expertise with storytelling to create characters, creatures, and environments that resonate deeply with audiences. My background in contemporary art and my work in the game industry with notable organizations like Blizzard Entertainment have given me a unique perspective and versatility in my craft.

I’ve had the privilege of working on several exciting projects at Blizzard Entertainment that showcase my skills in character and creature design, as well as environment concepts. My work has been extensively featured in multiple cinematic trailers for some of Blizzard Entertainment’s most successful gaming franchises such as Diablo, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch. These projects require deep collaboration with other teams to ensure the visuals align with the game’s narrative and gameplay.

One of the things I enjoy most is designing assets that feel alive—whether it’s a character whose personality comes through in their outfit and posture or an environment that tells a story through its architecture and lighting. One of the projects I’m most proud of is the season cinematic trailers for Diablo IV, where I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the renowned artist Piotr Jablonski. Working alongside such a celebrated talent was both inspiring and challenging, as we combined our skills to create illustrations that are integral to the game’s world. Contributing to the visual storytelling of a franchise as iconic as Diablo was a career highlight for me, and seeing how these designs resonate with players globally is deeply rewarding.

I also worked as the Visual Development Artist behind the successful trailers for Overwatch, including “A Great Day,” an Overwatch Animated Short featuring Mauga which received over 1.5 million views on YouTube, as well as the official music video for “Perfect Night” a song by LeSserafim for Overwatch 2 which received over 113 million views on YouTube. Both of these projects were widely viewed and generated extensive buzz for the newest installment of the popular gaming franchise.

Additionally, my personal projects, which include experimenting with mixing traditional and digital media or exploring unique color palettes, have enriched my creative process and brought new dimensions to my professional work. I have recently been awarded with highly coveted awards including an Honorable Mention Award by the 10^th Portrait International Juried Art Competition hosted by Teravarna. My work has also been showcased on Times Square and featured in notable exhibitions such as the Annual Blackout National Exhibition and the Black and White Exhibition at The Hummingbird & Dragonfly Art Gallery. The fact that my personal work has been honored with prestigious awards from renowned organizations in the industry and featured in prominent exhibitions is a tremendous achievement that I am extremely proud of.

Getting to where I am today was far from easy. The entertainment industry is incredibly competitive, and breaking in required countless hours of practice, refining my portfolio, and facing rejection. One of the biggest challenges I faced was finding my voice as an artist—figuring out how to balance the technical demands of the industry with my personal creative expression. I overcame these challenges by staying adaptable, seeking mentorship, and continually pushing myself to grow.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is that perseverance and collaboration are key. Success in this industry isn’t just about talent; it’s about being willing to learn, adapt, and work well with others. Every project is a team effort, and the ability to collaborate effectively is just as important as the work you produce.

What I want the world to know about my story is that art has the power to connect people and tell stories that resonate universally. My work is about creating visuals that not only look compelling but also feel alive and meaningful. I hope to continue pushing boundaries, both technically and creatively, and inspire others to embrace their own artistic journeys.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc. In your view what are some of the most fun, interesting, exciting people, places or things to check out?

If my best friend were visiting, I’d take them to Dover Street Market in Los Angeles. It’s one of my favorite spots for its unique blend of high fashion, art, and design. Walking through the space feels like exploring a gallery, with each section curated to showcase creative expression in the coolest way possible. Whether it’s discovering a new designer, checking out a pop-up installation, or just soaking in the creative energy, Dover Street Market LA is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves art and culture. It’s the perfect complement to a day of playing badminton at LABC in El Monte!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A special shoutout goes to Tomutsu Takishima, my instructor at the Academy of Art University. His mentorship not only sharpened my technical skills but also helped me develop the mindset needed to thrive in this competitive industry. His lessons have stuck with me and continue to influence my work to this day.

I’m also deeply grateful for my time at Blizzard Entertainment. Working alongside such passionate and talented individuals has been an incredible learning experience. The collaborative environment and high standards of creativity at Blizzard have played a pivotal role in shaping my career and pushing my artistic abilities to new heights.

Website: https://www.artstation.com/gaow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaowen_art/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaowenfu/