Concept Artist Character - Talent Pool (APAC)

Side; Auckland; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Side is seeking a skilled Character Concept Artist to contribute to a range of game projects. You will collaborate with art leads, 3D artists, and designers to translate ideas into compelling characters that fit the game's world and gameplay.

You bring 3+ years of professional experience, a shipped title, and proficiency with Photoshop or Procreate. Knowledge of anatomy, storytelling through design, and a passion for gaming are essential.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience as a Character Concept Artist.
• Demonstrated contribution to at least one shipped title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR.
• Proficiency with Photoshop, Procreate or equivalent software.
• Strong understanding of anatomy, proportion and character design.
• Ability to design characters with personality, storytelling and gameplay in mind.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed and visually striking character concept art, including clothing and accessories.
• Collaborate with art leads, 3D artists, and game designers to align designs with project vision.
• Generate character designs across diverse styles as needed.
• Develop iterations and provide options exploring visual ideas.
• Maintain design consistency and quality to fit the game's world.
• Provide callouts and references for 3D artists and animators.

Skills

Character design principles

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Creative ideation

Tools

Photoshop

Procreate

Job description

About Side

Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years' experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 15+ studios in over a dozen countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.

Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets.

About This Opportunity

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you express interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

These opportunities are contingent on client needs and project availability. As projects are initiated or client proposals are developed, we will review candidates from this pool and contact those who most closely align with the specific requirements of the co-development opportunity.

How We Keep You Engaged

We maintain strong relationships with our talent pool by providing regular updates, industry insights, and information on upcoming opportunities. We will check in to confirm your availability and interest.

Our hiring teams carefully vet and select top candidates who best meet project needs, ensuring that you are matched with the right opportunity when it becomes available.

Next Steps

If you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge projects and want to be considered for future co-development opportunities, we encourage you to apply to this listing. While there may not be an immediate opening, your application ensures that you will be part of our ongoing talent review for upcoming roles.

Key Responsibilities

• Create detailed and visually striking character concept art, including clothing, accessories, and other character elements.
• Collaborate closely with art leads, 3D artists, and game designers to ensure character designs align with the project’s creative vision and gameplay requirements.
• Generate character designs across a variety of styles, from realistic to stylized, depending on the project needs.
• Develop iterations of character concepts, providing a range of options and exploring unique visual ideas.
• Maintain consistency and quality in design, ensuring characters fit cohesively into the game’s world.
• Provide detailed callouts and reference materials for 3D artists and animators to guide asset production.
• Participate in regular feedback sessions, iterating on designs based on team and client input.

Requirements

Experience:

• 3+ years of professional experience as a Character Concept Artist in the video game industry.
• Demonstrated contribution to at least one shipped title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Photoshop, Procreate, or equivalent software.
• Strong understanding of anatomy, proportion, and character design principles.
• Ability to design characters with attention to personality, storytelling, and gameplay functionality.
• Knowledge of rendering techniques to create high-quality, polished concept art.

Creative and Collaborative Skills:

• Ability to generate original and imaginative character concepts that push creative boundaries.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities, with experience incorporating feedback into iterative designs.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to delivering exceptional character designs.

Passion for Gaming: Genuine enthusiasm for character design in video games and an understanding of how design choices impact gameplay and storytelling.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with 3D modeling tools for block-out or rough sculpting.
• Experience designing characters for a range of genres, including fantasy, sci-fi, and realistic settings.
• Background in visual storytelling or narrative illustration.
• Knowledge of current trends and techniques in concept art and game development.

Note: Specific requirements may vary depending on project needs.