Dave Curd is an Illustrator, Designer and Art Director working at Raven Software in Madison, WI. He's excited to return to beautiful Oklahoma City, where he both attended school and began his freelance career. He remains frustrated the Thunder arrived a year after his departure but consoles himself with cheese curds and Spotted Cow beer. If you've ever wondered about making it as a freelance illustrator, breaking into comics, or working in game development, Dave’s got you covered. Illustration clients include GQ, Fast Company, The New Republic, Image Comics and IDW Publishing. Games shipped include the last five Call of Duty titles – currently the most profitable franchise in Western Civilization – most recently the Advanced Warfare Exo Zombies mode. Dave stresses the importance of being uncomfortable and always growing as an artist. Dave will speak to the pros and cons of working in both freelance and studio environments and will walk viewers through the process of art directing a level of a video game.