Dann May

If you’d like to work together or simply make a connection, feel free to email me at contact@dannmay.com, message me on Twitter, or check out Quillsilver.com for more of what I’m up to these days! I’ll happily and promptly respond to any inquiry or feedback.

I love everything about tabletop games, and I’ve been working in the industry for over ten years now; as a visual artist, art director, game developer, and product designer.  From 2015-2019 I was the Creative Director for Starling Games. During that time I was the product designer and creative lead on games including Everdell and its expansions, Black Orchestra, A War of Whispers, Anomaly and Planetarium; and co-created PolyHero Dice. In 2020, I returned to freelance work as part of Quillsilver Studio, and we’re on the lookout for projects!

My passion for both art and game design began with a childhood love of fantasy fiction, video games, and tabletop RPGs. I worked professionally in the visual arts for 25+ years as an illustrator, graphic designer, 3D animator, art director, creative director, and software developer. In 2008 I discovered and fell in love with modern board games and the inspiring creativity on display. Soon after I began working as an illustrator and graphic designer that specialized in tabletop games. This work expanded to include art direction, game development, and product design. To date I’ve worked on over 100 tabletop gaming products, and I feel as excited as ever when first digging into a fun new game design!

 

Tabletop Games Resume

2023

  • Armello (Upcoming): Graphic Design
  • Knights of the Round Table (Upcoming): Art Direction, Illustration, Graphic Design.
  • Dog Park: New Tricks (Upcoming): Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Mirrorbound (Upcoming): Art Direction, Graphic Design, Creative Development
  • Forever Home (Upcoming): Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Lore (Upcoming): Graphic Design
  • Mycology (Upcoming): Game Development

2022 

  • Tabriz : Art and Creative Direction, Graphic Design, Illustration
  • Trekking Through History : Art and Creative Direction, Graphic Design
  • Würfelhelden: Illustration, Graphic Design
  • Florence: Illustration, Co-Graphic Design

2021 

  • Spectrum: Game Design, Art Direction, Product Design
  • Dog Park: Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design, Product Design
  • Paint the Roses: Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Panorama: Game Development, Illustration, Graphic Design (Support)
  • Agents of Smersh – Epic Edition: Graphic Design

2020 

  • Buru : Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design
  • Florence : Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design, Game Development
  • Abstract Academy: Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design
  • Flourish: Game and Creative Development (Lead), Illustration, Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • A War of Whispers (2nd Edition): Game and Creative Development (Lead), Illustration, Art Direction, Graphic Design

2019

  • Everdell Spirecrest: Game and Creative Development (Lead), Art Direction, Graphic Design, Art
  • Everdell Bellfaire: Game and Creative Development (Lead), Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • A War of Whispers: Game Development (Lead), Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Anomaly: Game Development, Art Direction
  • Archmage Ascendant: Game Development, Art Direction
  • King’s Forge Masterworks: Game Development, Art Direction
  • Polyhero Dice – Rogue Set: Concept, Design, Art Direction
  • Everdell Pearlbrook: Game Development (Lead), Creative Lead, Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Planetarium Primordial: Game Design, Art Direction, Graphic Design

2018

  • Everdell: Game and Creative Development (Lead), Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Archmage: Game Development (Lead), Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • King’s Forge – Gold: Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design
  • Polyhero Dice – Wizard Set: Concept, Design, Art Direction
  • Roll & Seek: Game Design, Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Blind Spot: Game Development, Graphic Design

2017

  • Black Orchestra: Additional Game Design, Game Development (Lead), Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Planetarium: Additional Game Design, Game Development (Lead), Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Alien Frontiers (5th Edition): Art Direction
  • Farlight: Art Direction, Art (Lead), Graphic Design
  • Storm Hollow: Game and Creative Development (Lead), Art Direction, Graphic Design, Art, Writing
  • Eleminis (2nd Edition): Game Development (Lead), Art Direction, Graphic Design, Art
  • Gimme Gimme Guinea Pigs: Art, Art Direction, Graphic Design

2016

  • Shadowrift (2nd Edition): Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Shadowrift (2nd Edition) – Eve of the Sickle Moon: Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Sunrise City – Nights: Art Direction
  • Princess Bride – I Hate to Kill You: Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Legends of the American Frontier: Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design
  • Legends of the American Frontier – Bounties: Game Design, Art Direction, Graphic Design, Writing
  • Polyhero Dice – Warrior Set: Concept, Design, Art Direction
  • PolyHero Dice – Knight Fight: Game Design, Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design
  • King’s Forge – Glassworks: Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Capture: Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design

2015

  • Poseidon’s Kingdom (2nd Edition): Art Direction, Graphic Design, Art
  • Skyway Robbery: Creative Direction, Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design
  • Princess Bride – Miracle Pill: Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Princess Bride – As You Wish: Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Princess Bride – A Battle of Wits: Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Nothing Personal – Power and Influence: Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Nothing Personal – Associates: Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • King’s Forge – Apprentices: Art Direction, Graphic design
  • Fast & Furious – Full Throttle: Game Development, Art Direction, Graphic design, Art
  • Area 1851: Art Direction, Graphic design
  • 9-shooter Quick Draw: Art Direction, Graphic design
  • Sangoku: Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Viticulture: Additional Graphic Design

2014

  • Dungeon Scroll: Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design
  • Bigfoot: Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Chaos & Alchemy – Substances: Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design
  • Chaos & Alchemy – Apprentices: Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design
  • Princes of the Dragon Throne: Additional Art Direction
  • Top Promoter: Art Direction
  • Tiger Stripes: Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Magnum Opus: Art Direction, Art
  • King’s Forge: Art Direction, Graphic design
  • King’s Forge – Queen’s Jubilee: Art Direction, Graphic design

2013

  • Nothing Personal: Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design
  • Nothing Personal – Young Turks: Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design
  • Chaos & Alchemy: Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design
  • Island Fortress: Art Direction, Art, Graphic Design
  • Formula E: Art Direction, Graphic Design
  • Impact City Roller Derby: Additional Graphic Design
  • Villains and Vigilantes: Art

Media

The Gaming Careers Podcast

Dice Hard Podcast

Everdell Designer Diary

Kind Words

“Dann makes it look easy, always getting the job done on time and at a higher standard than you expected. He is a world-builder and game designer all in one—a true craftsman and artist. Even in the crowded marketplace of the current game industry, his work stands shoulders above—a rare thing indeed.”
— Philip duBarry, designer of Black Orchestra

“I have had the privilege of working closely with Dann on a number of projects. He is patient, dependable, has a great sense of humor, and is just an all around pleasure to work with. He is an invaluable asset to any creative company, and I consider it a massive honor to have worked with him thus far.”
— James Wilson, game designer of Everdell and expansions

“Dann May was an integral part of the Storm Hollow design team. From visual design, world building, story design, and overall game development, Dann’s influence can be seen in all corners of the game.”
— Julian Leiberan-Titus, Co-designer of Storm Hollow

“Working with Dann May on the board game Planetarium was a wonderful experience. His ideas greatly improved my mechanics and the visual of the game, enhancing the player experience. Dan’s artistic sense is very impressive and it is because of him that Planetarium is such a unique and attractive game. It would be my pleasure to work with Dann again one day.”
— Stéphane Vachon, game designer of Planetarium

“I quickly learned to trust Dann’s experienced instincts as a good augmentation to my own creative desires. The end result was a game that was far superior to the initial prototype that I had submitted. It was still the game I had envisioned – just a better version thereof. I would be very happy to work with Dann as a developer on any of my future game design projects, and also feel that my own skills as a designer have greatly increased as a result of his mentorship.”
— Tim Heerema, designer of Archmage

Links of interest

Quillsilver Studio
My creative studio serving all aspects of tabletop publishing, from game design and development, through product design and art, to marketing. Founded with Brenna Noonan and Greg May. Visit quillsilver.com

PolyHero Dice
My brother Greg and I are the creators of PolyHero Dice, a line of imaginatively sculpted dice. Visit polyhero.com

Brenna Noonan – Game Development and Marketing
My wife Brenna is a brilliant and versatile creative. We have collaborated on several well-known projects. Visit brennanoonan.com

Greg May – Animator and 3D Artist
My brother Greg is a highly talented 3D artist with whom I regularly collaborate. Visit gregmay.com.au

Tabletop Game Designers Australia
I belong to the TGDA. Visit TGDA Facebook page

The Kanga Awards

In 2019 and 2020 I was the proud winner of a Kanga Award for Best Game. The Kanga’s are a new annual award to recognize excellent work by Australians in the tabletop game industry. Visit their Twitter page.