Mario Garcia Arevalo

Head of Design

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain14 yrs 10 mos experience

Key Highlights

Led art vision for major franchises.
Mentored over 40 artists into leadership roles.
Reduced delivery times by up to 25%.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Gaming and Animation expert with strong leadership in creative direction.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Creative DirectionArt DirectionVisual Development

Other Skills

Cross-functional Team LeadershipTeam MentoringMobile GamesVisual EffectsTypographyCreative LeadershipGame ArtConcept ArtLeadershipUser Experience (UX)Creative Problem SolvingTeam LeadershipAAA GamesAdobe PhotoshopAdobe InDesign

About

Creative leader with 14+ years shaping the art direction of global IPs across games, film & animation. Experienced in AAA & mobile leadership, scaling teams of 100+, and driving crossmedia IP development for studios like Voodoo, King, Gameloft, Paramount, and Netflix. Career highlights include leading the art vision for franchises such as Candy Crush Soda, Farm Heroes, Rebel Riders, Asphalt 9, Asphalt Legends Unite, and Disney Speedstorm, as well as visual development for feature films like The SpongeBob Movie and Sherlock Gnomes. Known for building strong creative cultures, mentoring 40+ artists into leadership roles, and optimizing pipelines that reduced delivery times by up to 25%. I thrive at the intersection of creativity and strategy, ensuring world-class visuals while aligning with business goals.

Experience

14 yrs 10 mos

Total Experience

2 yrs 4 mos

Average Tenure

1 yr 8 mos

Current Experience

Voodoo

Head of Art

Sep 2024 – Present · 1 yr 8 mos · Barcelona, Cataluña, España · Hybrid

As Head of Art at Voodoo, I lead the studio’s art department, defining the creative vision and production strategy for new mobile RPG and casual puzzle titles while mentoring and scaling the art team.
Alongside the studio’s main IP development, I also contribute to Voodoo’s portfolio game initiatives, working on prototyping and visual direction for several casual puzzle concepts.
Key Scope:
Defined the visual identity for the studio’s new mobile IP line-up.
Aligned visual direction with product strategy, business KPIs, and player experience.
Collaborated with Voodoo’s global publishing and production teams in Paris and internationally.
Contributed to the development of portfolio game prototypes, including:
Card Factory
Block Jam
This is Blast
Match Hunters

Creative DirectionVisual DevelopmentCross-functional Team LeadershipTeam MentoringMobile GamesArt Direction+8

Lightbox animation studios

Principal Visual Development Artist

May 2023 – Oct 2023 · 5 mos · Barcelona, Spain · Remote

Led visual development for an unannounced animated feature, focusing on environments and look development.

Visual DevelopmentConcept Art

Gameloft

Studio Art Director

Dec 2022 – Sep 2024 · 1 yr 9 mos · Barcelona, Cataluña, España · On-site

As Studio Art Director, I led the art direction and team management for multiple AAA mobile and console titles, working with cross-disciplinary teams and international partners.
Key Projects:
Disney Speedstorm (Console / PC / Mobile) – co-developed with Disney, responsible for visual identity and production alignment.
Asphalt 9 & Asphalt Legends Unite (Console / PC / Mobile) – contributed to the evolution of one of Gameloft’s flagship racing franchises.
Prototype & cancelled projects – supported early-stage visual direction and greenlight decisions.
Highlights:
Directed and coordinated art production across 60+ artists (concept, 3D, UI, animation, VFX).
Implemented optimized pipelines, reducing delivery times by 25%.
Partnered directly with Disney stakeholders, aligning creative direction with brand standards.
Scaled and mentored internal teams, promoting seniors into leadership roles.

Creative DirectionVisual DevelopmentCross-functional Team LeadershipTeam MentoringTeam LeadershipMobile Games+10

Scattershot

Art Director

Dec 2021 – Dec 2022 · 1 yr · Barcelona · Remote

Led the art direction for ATHENA, a competitive FPS e-sport project (PC/Console), setting up the studio’s art department and production pipelines from scratch.
Highlights:
Built and managed an art team of 20+ artists, defining structure, workflows, and production goals.
Designed and implemented art pipelines and Jira-based workflows, improving efficiency and delivery consistency.
Collaborated directly with founders and investors, presenting progress and aligning creative vision with business strategy.
Oversaw budget planning, outsourcing strategy, and resource allocation to balance quality and scalability.
Mentored senior artists into leadership positions, fostering a sustainable creative culture in an early-stage studio.

Creative DirectionVisual DevelopmentCross-functional Team LeadershipTeam MentoringTeam LeadershipMobile Games+9

King

2 roles

Senior Concept Artist

Sep 2019 – Dec 2021 · 2 yrs 3 mos

Activision / Blizzard / King
New games
· Projects:
Rebel Riders - Mobile

Visual DevelopmentAdobe PhotoshopMobile GamesGame ArtConcept Art

Senior Concept Artist

Sep 2018 – Dec 2021 · 3 yrs 3 mos

Live Games:
Candy Crush Soda
Farm Heroes Saga
Bubble Witch 3 Saga

Visual DevelopmentAdobe PhotoshopMobile GamesVisual EffectsTypographyGame Art+2

Animum creativity advanced school

Concept Art Instructor – Animum & ECIB

Sep 2019 – Sep 2021 · 2 yrs · Barcelona · Remote

Taught Concept Art and Visual Development to aspiring artists in collaboration with Animum Creativity Advanced School (international online program) and ECIB Barcelona (local film & games school).

Visual DevelopmentAdobe PhotoshopConcept Art

Blue-zoo animation studio

Senior Concept Artist

Jun 2018 – Aug 2018 · 2 mos · London, Reino Unido · On-site

Projects:
Go Jetters (Season 3)
Paddington

Netflix

Senior Concept Artist

Jul 2017 – Jul 2018 · 1 yr

Visual DevelopmentAdobe PhotoshopConcept Art

Motion pictures s.a.

Lead Environment Concept Artist

Apr 2017 – Jul 2017 · 3 mos · Barcelona y alrededores, España

Projects:
Virtual Hero (2018) - Movistar +

Visual DevelopmentAdobe PhotoshopConcept Art

Paramount pictures

Senior Concept Artist

Apr 2016 – Apr 2017 · 1 yr · London, Reino Unido

Projects:
Sherlock Gnomes
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run

Visual DevelopmentTeam MentoringTeam LeadershipAdobe PhotoshopArt DirectionConcept Art+1

Walt disney animation studios

Concept Artist

Apr 2016 – May 2016 · 1 mo

Projects:
Cancelled title - Gigantic

Visual DevelopmentAdobe PhotoshopConcept Art

Gameloft

2 roles

Lead Artist

Dec 2014 – May 2016 · 1 yr 5 mos · Valencia, España

Visual DevelopmentAdobe PhotoshopConcept Art

Senior Concept Artist

Aug 2012 – May 2016 · 3 yrs 9 mos · Valencia, España

Projects:
Trivial Pursuit and Friends - Mobile
Cancelled Project (Bubble Shooter) - Mobile
Cancelled Project (Life simulator) - Mobile
Disney Magic Kingdoms - Mobile

Creative DirectionVisual DevelopmentTeam LeadershipAdobe PhotoshopMobile GamesArt Direction+3

Freelance

Freelance Concept Artist – Various Clients

Feb 2011 – Nov 2015 · 4 yrs 9 mos · London, Madrid, Valencia, Los Angeles, Remote · Remote

As freelance concept artist, I collaborated with top international studios, agencies, and brands on advertising campaigns, animated features, and video game projects.
Key Clients & Projects:
LEGO – LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Maximum Overload
Warner Bros Animation – Teen Titans GO!
Passion Pictures – Justino (Lotería de Navidad 2015)
Ogilvy & Mather – Christmas Campaign IBERIA 2014, Panda Security Ads
Wacom Europe GmbH – Concept campaigns and product visuals
Nexus Studios (London) – Coca-Cola (Man and the Dog), Michelin, Moët & Chandon
Shilo TV (New York) – HBO Holiday Shorts, Travelers Cars
Grupo Planeta / SCPF – Editorial and advertising illustrations