statue design

Haunted House Concept Design

That Leaves Guests Screaming (In the Best Way)

The best haunted houses tell a story. Not just a spooky vibe, but an experience that unfolds as people move through it—every shadow, sound, and scare working together to pull them in deeper.

I design immersive horror environments for theme parks, escape rooms, and seasonal haunted attractions. Whether you’re creating a standalone maze or a full narrative-driven experience, I help turn your concept into a fully visualized walkthrough that designers, fabricators, and marketing teams can build from.

My background in game and level design means I understand flow, tension, player psychology, and spatial storytelling. We’ll design an environment that builds suspense, times your scares, and gives guests moments they’ll never forget (and keep coming back for).

cave concept design full render

What's Included:

  • Environment concept art & walkthrough layout

  • Level flow and narrative path planning

  • Moodboards and horror visual language development

  • 2D & 3D spatial design

  • Lighting, FX and soundscape guidance

  • Character, prop, and scene sketches

  • Feedback loops and live collaboration

  • File handoffs for scenic teams and marketing use


What’s NOT included:
Physical fabrication, construction, or animatronics implementation. But I’ve worked with teams who do—and I can recommend trusted vendors if you need ‘em.

Research-led, story-first design that balances fear, fun, and flow. We’ll map out the path your guests take through each scene, building tension and surprise.

Typical haunted attraction design takes 4–6 weeks, but we’ll build a custom calendar with deliverables and review points that fit your production schedule.

Seasonal Haunts
Escape Rooms
Theme Park Mazes
Narrative Environments
Marketing Key Art
Digital Pitches

3D Design Services

To book, we require a 33% deposit, a 33% by mid-milestones, and a 33% billed at the end of the project. Reach and and contact for a custom setup/day rate if you have on-going needs.

Architectural concept art sketches of dark fantasy dungeon interior – layout design for immersive horror game level building

Scream Pipeline Consulting – Ensuring a cohesive aesthetic across costume, sound, and space for maximum impact.

Grungy iron gate and eerie corridor design in 3D – horror prop concept sheet for cinematic worldbuilding and game assets

Set & Prop Concepts – Scare-specific environment and object design to guide builders.

Swampy forest environment concept with mist and supernatural mood – keyframe art for horror game or dark fantasy narrative

Atmosphere Development – Visual storytelling through fog, lighting, decay, and mood.

66%

faster pre-production achieved using advanced 3D concept art workflows, delivering AAA-level results while working with Ashfall / NetEase Games. Cut costs and speed up your project with proven methods.

33%

improvement in art quality by maintaining and expanding style guides and material libraries within 3D render engines, demonstrated during work on Frictional Games’ Amnesia Rebirth.

90%

approval rate on first submission while collaborating with Electronic Arts DICE / Milford SE, minimizing revisions and keeping your project on schedule.

Special pricing available for long-term projects over 60 days. Contact me for custom arrangements tailored to your extended needs.

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  • It’s very hard to find a professional like Miguel. Very organized, prolific and effective with his workflow. Not to mention the impressive quality of ideas he brings to the table. It’s an honor to have worked with him!

    João Lira, Lead Concept Artist on Star Atlas, ATMTA Group

  • The director loved the works we just delivered from our collaboration! Thank you for helping us.

    Alice Zhang, Translator and Producer, NetEase Games

  • I want to say that your proposal was the most professional I’ve seen in a long time, even better than most freelancers and other AAA studios we’re working with.

    James Ohlen, VP Studio Head, Archetype Entertainment / Wizards of the Coast’ Company.

  • It was fantastic working with you on these, you're an exceptional talent with a wonderful work ethic. You had a tasteful process for creative exploration, and your balance of structure and freedom always invigorated our sessions. Looking forward to the future, Miguel.

    River Gandour, CEO of Third Book

Horror Game Design Portfolio

Cyberpunk alley environment concept with lighting studies – sci-fi visual development for futuristic city worldbuilding
Perspective layout and technical sketching for sci-fi game environment – storytelling-focused space design for interactive media
Medieval dungeon interior visualized with lighting cues and set dressing – fantasy or horror escape room concept art sheet
treasure room concept
Isometric and top-down sketches for interactive dungeon scene – immersive environment concept for game level design
3d environment design plan for levels
3d environment design
Fantasy gate and ancient artifact design – rusted iron portal and key item concept for dark adventure games or escape puzzle narratives
Detailed prop breakdowns for fantasy key and treasure chest – texture exploration and 3D asset visualization
Detailed prop breakdowns for fantasy key and treasure chest – texture exploration and 3D asset visualization
Mechanical altar and ritual props – eerie and symbolic item design for religious horror or occult game concepts
Gothic urn and ancient containers – fantasy horror props for museum or sacred ruins setpieces in games or film
box prop concept
gate design
cave design
cage design
Wireframe and high-poly render of a cursed throne – horror-fantasy prop modeling for environment storytelling
prop fusion for gothic horror design pipeline.
Prop concept of haunted bed, metallic cage, and torture device – horror game item visualization for immersive storytelling
Stylized jar and lighting prop with steampunk aesthetics – functional design for storytelling through environment lighting
gate horror prop design
statue concept art with ancient rune details – dark magic containment item for supernatural worldbuilding
concept art of horror character
Dark ambient character with skeletal face and ghostly pose – horror visual development for atmospheric storytelling
horror statue design
Fantasy horror priestess with glowing collar and crescent crown – spiritual concept design for dark myth storytelling
tower horror design concept iteration
tower horror design
tower horror design iterations
Interactive scene blockout in 3D software – development pipeline visual for game studio environment production

Building Haunted Worlds from the Ground Up

This is where your haunted house starts breathing — before textures, before lighting, before the fog rolls in. Right here in Maya, we’re shaping the bones of your space: designing scene flow, optimizing guest pathing, and setting the stage for every scare and story beat. It’s not just a render — it’s a functional environment blueprint that makes your vision real. You’ll get spatial logic and cinematic wow. Because a good haunt isn’t just creepy — it’s engineered to hit.

Marketing visual with quote: 'More than visuals, it’s an experience.' – narrative-focused pitch for visual development services

How It Starts: Mood, Research & Vibe.

Before anything gets drawn, we go deep. Horror isn’t just blood and fog machines—it’s psychology, folklore, pacing, and tone. We’ll build reference boards and horror archetypes together, and sketch out a vibe that sets the stage for your entire haunt.

  • professional and beautifully shot wacom tablet for digital drawing and design

    Every project starts with emotional architecture. Whether it’s for a survival horror game or a haunted walkthrough, I design tension through pacing, shape language, light, and spatial logic. You’ll get access to my full process: Miro boards, concept breakdowns, mood paths, and reference decks.

  • concept art workstation background, with professional software rendering

    You don’t just get scary — you get effective. The kind that leaves a mark. I handle everything from creature concepts and environment mood shots to scene staging and narrative props that reinforce the theme. Expect layered storytelling in every corner.

  • professional freelance artist taking notes on a macbook and leading a online meeting.

    I take on one horror-centric project at a time, because creating genuine dread and immersion demands full focus. You’ll have my full attention, with deliverables tailored for fabrication (in real-world installations) or real-time engines (in games).

  • resources and physical design books on a professional artist desk

    I combine traditional concept workflows with real-world planning: floor plans for escape rooms, scare placement diagrams for haunted houses, and immersive design that considers sound, lighting, and timing — not just visuals.

  • a beautiful selection of sketchbooks being reviewed by a professional artist and designer

    I work across Photoshop, Blender, Unreal, and VR sketching tools when needed. My pipeline is built to deliver terrifying concepts that are actually buildable, playable, and unforgettable.

Sketch-based environment planning and structure detailing on tablet – tablet workflow for concept art in professional pipelines

From Scare Zones to Flow Charts

Every haunted house is secretly a level design problem. What’s the path? Where do people slow down? What do they see before the next scare hits?
This is where I blend spatial design with horror timing, so your guests move the way the story wants them to move.

Podcast-style image of concept artist explaining design process – behind-the-scenes insight into worldbuilding practices

You Won’t Be Haunted by Communication Gaps

We’ll meet regularly to review progress, make adjustments, and brainstorm in real time. You’ll have access to layered files, WIPs, and collaborative calls. I want this process to feel like we’re building something rad together.

  • What if you’re fully booked when I reach out?

    If I’m not available, don’t worry — I’ll connect you with trusted artists in my horror-focused network who share my creative standards. You’ll either work with me, or someone I trust to deliver.

  • I don’t speak “art.” Can I still hire you?

    Absolutely. You don’t need to know what “environment direction” or “tone framing” means — you just need to have the passion. I guide every step, from spooky sparks of inspiration to fully immersive nightmares.

  • What exactly do I get when hiring you for horror design?

    You receive a fully immersive concept package: styleframes, visual research, layout maps, narrative beats, and a complete breakdown inside a collaborative board (like Miro). You’ll also get video breakdowns, direction notes, and — if scaling — referrals to build your full horror production team.

  • What kinds of clients do you work with in horror?

    From independent haunted house creators and escape rooms, to horror game developers and genre film productions — I tailor the tone and depth to your audience, budget, and goals.

  • Can your work help me pitch my horror project or get funding?

    Yes. I focus on atmospheric clarity, not just creepy visuals. Your pitch decks will include style-accurate concept art, immersive moodboards, and a horror design language that makes investors and collaborators feel your idea, not just read it.

  • Where do you work from, and can we collaborate in real-time?

    While I’m based in Porto, Portugal, I remote-work with horror creatives across the world. My studio setup is portable but professional — always ready for real-time syncs and creative jams, no matter your location.

  • Can I commission you just for a haunted house map or a horror creature design?

    Definitely. You can hire me just for the layout blueprints, or for key creature concept art — or bring me in for the full terror package. We scale based on your needs and what gives your guests chills.

  • Are deposits refundable if I cancel?

    Deposits are non-refundable, as I take on one immersive horror project at a time and block off my calendar. That time is reserved just for you. However, if life gets in the way, I’m always open to talking through solutions.

Mythological horror sculpture in glowing ritual form – stylized character-prop fusion with cinematic rendering

Ready to Bring Your Haunted House to Life?

I’ve helped design environments for game studios, theme parks, and live horror experiences. If you're looking for a freelance haunted house designer who gets narrative environments and delivers on time—let’s make something spine-chilling.