BASSEL ELKADI

Character Designer · Illustrator ·

Visual Development Artist · Art Educator

I’m Bassel Elkadi, a character designer, illustrator, and visual development artist based in Hamburg, Germany.

 

For more than a decade, I’ve worked across character design, illustration, visual development, children’s books, games, and narrative-driven projects, with a particular love for creating characters that feel expressive, memorable, and full of personality.

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My professional work includes character design for "His Face Is the Sun" by Michelle Jabès Corpora, part of the "Throne of Khetara" series, which became an Instant New York Times Bestseller. I’ve also illustrated and authored multiple internationally published children’s books, created character and visual-development assets for board games and narrative projects, and worked across art direction and production-ready character design.

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Alongside my professional art practice, teaching has become an important part of what I do. I currently teach drawing for animation and career preparation at university level, and I’ve taught more than 1,100 students through online courses.

 

Through YouTube and my other platforms, I share drawing techniques, character-design knowledge, and practical ways to help aspiring artists develop their skills and find their own visual voice.

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Beside pursuing art professionally, I earned a PhD in Civil and Structural Engineering. Although engineering and art may seem far apart, that background shaped the way I approach drawing: understanding structure, breaking complex subjects into simple forms, and solving visual problems step by step.

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Today, my work brings together the things I enjoy most: drawing, storytelling, character creation, and teaching. Whether I’m developing characters for a project, creating personal artwork, or helping someone become more confident in their drawing, I’m always interested in exploring new ideas, styles, and ways of telling stories visually.