Marc Simonetti (born 1977 in France) is a well-established art director, concept artist, illustrator and fine artist based in Annecy.

Having originally trained as an engineer at INSA, the National Institute of Applied Sciences in Lyon, Marc decided to pursue an artistic career and studied at the Beaux Arts in Annecy then at the Emile Cohl School. He quickly established himself as concept artist, making his mark in high profile productions such as the 3D space opera Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, when he worked in close partnership with acclaimed French director Luc Besson. Further collaborations with leading visual effect companies include Los Angeles-based MPC, and Wētā digital. His most recent work as a concept artist, making visual development and staging dramatic lightings and designs, include Aladdin, Maleficent 2, Aquaman 2 and the upcoming Transformers Movie Rise of the Beasts, among many others.
He's now working as Art Director at DNEG, one of the world's leading VFX and animation studios.

Best known for his work on GRR Martin's books A Song of Ice and Fire and The Iron Throne, Marc has also illustrated some of the best known fantasy and Sci-Fi novels, such as Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, Robin Hobb’s The Royal Assassin trilogy, Patrick Rothfuss's Name of the Wind, Terry Brook's  Shannara Cycle and Frank Herbert's ‘Dune’, working with high profile publishers.

Marc regularly works for many video games companies including Activision, Ubisoft, Magic: The Gathering, EA, Square Enix and King Isle Entertainment, creating compelling concept art, illustrations and marketing campaigns.

Since 2020, Marc has been developing his fine art practice. His artistic palette merges traditional art, music and storytelling techniques, to convey emotions and raise questions about the world we live in. Drawing on his extensive experience as a concept artist, Marc creates NFTs that conjure up imaginary worlds and dreamlike environments, rooted in history. His work often features animation to add depth and vitality to his imagery.

Following a first NFT launch in March 2021, Marc’s work in this sphere has now gathered a significant collector base as he has sold some 25 artworks to a loyal following of 22 high profile collectors.
In 2021, Marc was invited to join NFT curated marketplace, SuperRare

https://superrare.com/marcsimonetti

in September 2022, he also sucessfully debuted on Nifty Gateway:

https://www.niftygateway.com/collections/once-upon-a-time

Exhibitions

Invited to perform live in 2015, 2016 and 2021 at The Numerik Games Festival, at the Maison d'Ailleurs museum in Yverdon les Bains, Swizterland

Milan Art Week 2021, Innovation Art exhibition. Outdoor display on 10m-high LED wall on Piazza Gae Aulenti, Milan

Exhibited at the Non-Fungible Conference.2022 in Lisbon, April 2022.

NFT Liverpool exhibition, 2022


Awards

Winner of the 2018 Locus Magazine’s Chesley Award: Best Cover Illustration : Hardcover for The Sword of Shannara, Terry Brooks (Grim Oak)

2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018 : Winner r/Fantasy Stabby Awards (Reddit), for best Fantasy illustrations

2006- Grand winner Blizzard Art Contest (open to both amateur and professional )