Concept Artist

Electronic Arts Ltd; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 93,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

Electronic Arts’ EA Vancouver (Burnaby) is seeking a Concept Artist to translate briefs into environment art for the EA SPORTS FC franchise. You will collaborate with Art Directors, create mood boards, and deliver final environment concepts.

This 12-month contract requires onsite presence three days per week (Tuesday to Thursday). The role emphasizes strong drawing, perspective, and 2D/3D integration to shape living spaces, arenas, and cityscapes within our games.

Qualifications

• Strong drawing and ideation skills in environment concept design.
• Understanding of architectural elements to design realistic environments.
• Ability to read scripts and translate briefs into visuals.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with Development Directors and Art Directors on targets and briefs.
• Research subjects, styles, and genres; present mood/reference boards.
• Prepare multiple roughs and deliver final environment concept art renders.
• Support 3D artists with clear visual guides for in-game assets.
• Create strong environmental designs including playspaces and cityscapes.
• Develop storyboards with camera angles and movements.
• Stay updated with industry trends and bring fresh ideas.

Skills

Environment concept design

Perspective drawing

2D renders

3D integration

Mood boards

Storyboard creation

Tools

Photoshop

Maya

Blender

SketchUp

Job description

Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

Important Note: This team works onsite at EA Vancouver (Burnaby office). Applicants are required to work onsite 3 days, Tuesday - Thursday every week. This is a 12-month contract with the possibility of longer term employment.

E A SPORTS is one of the world's leading sports entertainment brands, known for top-selling video game franchises, award-winning interactive technology, and cross-platform digital experiences. EA SPORTS creates connected gaming experiences that bring the emotion of sports to life through industry-leading titles, including Madden NFL, EA SPORTS FC, NHL, NBA LIVE, and UFC.

Concept art is the foundation of a game’s visual identity. It establishes the look, feel, and tone of a project, serving as a key reference for everyone involved in development. The Concept Artist’s role is to translate ideas into compelling visuals that drive the artistic vision forward.

At EA SPORTS FC, Concept Artists play an important role in shaping the game's visual target. Their work serves as the visual building blocks for environments, characters, lighting, and props. Working closely with the Art Director, they interpret creative briefs and explore original ideas, creating artwork that sets the style and mood of the project.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with Development Directors on tasks, scheduling and assignments; collaborate with Art Directors to discuss brief details, hit visual targets, and support the World Art team during production cycles
• Work with the Concept Art Lead to research areas pertinent to the assignment including subjects, styles and genres. Create and present Mood/Reference boards in Miro for team discussion and approval.
• Prepare and present multiple design roughs for directional approval, implement feedback and create detailed final environment concept art renders in a timely manner.
• Support 3D artists by delivering clear, well-structured visual guides that translate seamlessly into in-game assets.
• Create strong and unique environmental designs including playspaces, training grounds, locker rooms, apartment interiors, cityscapes, street scenes, and stadiums using a combination of 2D and 3D software.
• Develop and create storyboards based on the provided script, identifying camera angles, framing and movements.
• Stay up to date with industry trends and techniques, bringing fresh ideas and innovations to the team.

Required Qualifications

• Strong drawing and ideation skills, with a specialization in environment concept design.
• Have a solid understanding of architectural elements and the ability to design realistic environments. This involves having a deep knowledge of various architectural styles, structures, and materials.
• Understanding of visual language - texture, color, dimension, scale, perspective, value, composition, depth of field, proportion, and spatial awareness.
• Skilled in technical perspective drawing and rendering.
• Ability to create final 2D renders of highly realistic concepts that can be used as visual targets. Rendering abilities include mood, tone, accurate lighting, time of day, weather and atmosphere.
• Solid awareness of anatomy, facial expression, pose, posture, gesture and movement. Can create realistic scenes of crowds, athletes and other dramatic encounters.
• Ability to read and interpret scripts, discuss cinematic team requirements and be a strong visual partner in storyboard creation.
• Some understanding of cinematic camera and cinematic language, including camera angles, camera movements, and editing techniques. The artist should be familiar with the visual language of cinema, including the use of lighting, color, and composition to create mood, establish character, and convey emotion.
• Knowledge of game development processes, technical restrictions and general practices

Software & Tools Proficiency

• Experience with industry-standard digital painting and 3D tools (e.g., Photoshop, Maya, Blender, SketchUp or similar 2D/3D software, AI tools etc).
• Working knowledge of 3D workflows and the ability to integrate 3D greyblocks or models into concept development.

Pay Transparency - North America

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g. education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).

PAY RANGES

* British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) *$92,900 - $129,200 CAD

Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA.

In Canada, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, and extended health/dental/vision coverage and basic life insurance.

About Electronic Arts

We’re proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.

We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well-being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.

Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.