Zakia Khan
Meet Zakia Khan, a Senior Character Artist and diversity advocate in the games industry. She’s the creative force for studios like Rare and Mediatonic, and a proud voice for inclusion through her platform.
| Current job role | Lead artist at Athena Worlds |
|---|---|
| Year of graduation | 2017 |
| Course of study | BA (Hons) 3D Games Art & Design |
Switching paths and forging success
Zakia’s decision to pivot from a science-based degree to follow her artistic passion was a defining moment. Her time at Herts gave her the technical skills, industry insight, and confidence to thrive. ‘I always say that making the switch from Biomedical science to Games art and design has been one of the best and biggest decisions of my life. I chose to study here in 2015 due to the quality and consistency of the students' work before joining. The alumni went on to do amazing things, which inspired me.’
Since then, Zakia has worked with some of the UK’s leading studios, including Rare, NaturalMotion, Mediatonic, Lucid Games, and Play Well For Life. She now leads creative projects as a Senior Character Artist and Lead Artist, continuing to push boundaries in digital art and character design.
Spotlighting voices and empowering women
Beyond her technical achievements, Zakia is a passionate advocate for inclusivity in the games industry. She’s appeared on the BBC, served on BAFTA juries, and was recently selected as part of the Ensemble 2025 cohort. An initiative supported by the Mayor of London and Games London to spotlight diverse talent in gaming. Her story was featured in a public exhibition in Trafalgar Square, celebrating underrepresented professionals making a difference.
Zakia is particularly passionate about supporting and mentoring women in the games industry, especially aspiring female gamers and artists who are looking to enter a still male-dominated field. Her mission is to break down barriers and help more women see themselves represented in all areas of game development.
Advice for future creatives
Zakia’s journey is proof that it’s possible to build a meaningful and impactful career while staying true to your creative vision. She says ‘Strive to create work that inspires others, and in doing so, you will inspire new possibilities. Stick to a path and follow it – but don't be afraid of change.’
Through mentorship, leadership, and art, Zakia is helping shape a more inclusive and dynamic future for the games industry and paving the way for more women to follow in her footsteps.