2D UI Artist

Lever, Inc.; Portugal; Remote; EUR 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Four-month freelance contract

Fully remote international team

Core collaboration hours 10:00–16:00 C

Exposure to Unreal Engine 5

Job summary

Lever, Inc. is seeking a freelance 2D UI Artist based in Portugal to shape polished, engaging visual experiences for upcoming games. You will create high-quality icons, small props, and 2D interface assets, spanning sketches to engine integration in Unreal Engine 5.

You will work remotely in an international team, collaborating with UX and design leads, and iterating assets based on playtesting feedback. Availability to start immediately for a four-month engagement is expected.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of professional experience as a 2D Artist or UI Artist.
• Advanced proficiency in digital art software such as Photoshop, Affinity, Procreate or similar.
• Strong understanding of rendering, colour theory, composition, and readability at small UI sizes.
• Solid technical understanding of UI production, including sprite sheets, asset optimization, texture compression, and engine implementation.
• Experience with Unreal Engine is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to follow established visual styles and match art direction across assets.
• Strong portfolio showcasing professional-quality game UI artwork and iconography.
• Ability to collaborate with designers and artists, and iterate quickly.

Responsibilities

• Design and render high-quality 2D game icons and UI assets.
• Take artwork through the full production pipeline from rough concepts to production-ready assets.
• Ensure final artwork meets high visual quality and fidelity standards.
• Follow art direction, visual guidelines, and color palettes across all UI assets.
• Maintain visual hierarchy and consistency across iconography and interface.
• Export, optimize, and prepare 2D assets for engine use.
• Integrate assets into Unreal Engine 5 with proper setup.
• Manage sprite sheets and texture compression for performance.
• Collaborate with UX designers, game designers, and UI leadership.
• Iterate on icons based on playtests and feedback.
• Identify opportunities to improve clarity while preserving art direction.

Skills

3+ years experience

UI iconography

Photoshop/Affinity/Procreate

Unreal Engine

Asset optimization

Portfolio ready

Collaboration

Tools

Unreal Engine

Sprite sheet workflow

Job description

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a 2D UI Artist based in Portugal.

As a Freelance 2D UI Artist, you will help shape polished and engaging visual experiences for ambitious upcoming games.
You will specialize in creating high-quality game icons, small props, and other 2D interface assets that remain clear and compelling at small sizes.
Your work will span the full creative pipeline, from initial sketches and visual exploration through rendering, optimization, and engine integration.
You will play a key role in maintaining a cohesive visual language, ensuring consistency in style, colour, hierarchy, and readability across the interface.
Working closely with UX, game design, and UI teams, you will refine assets based on playtesting insights and player feedback.
You will also contribute to the technical implementation of UI artwork within Unreal Engine 5.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a fully remote, international game development environment and contribute to high-profile gaming experiences.

Accountabilities

• Design and render high-quality 2D game icons representing items, weapons, abilities, resources, and other gameplay elements.
• Take artwork through the complete production pipeline, from rough thumbnail concepts and visual exploration to polished, production-ready assets.
• Ensure final artwork consistently meets high visual-quality and fidelity standards.
• Follow established art direction, visual guidelines, colour palettes, and style references across all UI assets.
• Maintain strong visual hierarchy and consistency throughout the game's iconography and interface.
• Export, optimize, and prepare 2D assets for use within the game engine.
• Integrate finalized assets directly into Unreal Engine 5, including appropriate setup and implementation.
• Manage sprite sheets, UI layouts, texture compression, and other technical considerations to ensure efficient in-game performance.
• Collaborate closely with UX designers, game designers, and UI leadership to deliver clear and effective interface artwork.
• Iterate on icons and other UI assets based on internal playtesting results, usability insights, and player feedback.
• Identify opportunities to improve visual clarity and readability while preserving the intended artistic direction.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of professional experience as a 2D Artist or UI Artist, with a focus on game iconography, small props, or comparable assets.
• Advanced proficiency in digital art and painting software such as Adobe Photoshop, Affinity, Procreate, or similar tools.
• Strong understanding of rendering, colour theory, composition, visual hierarchy, and designing artwork that remains readable at small UI sizes.
• Solid technical understanding of game UI production, including sprite sheets, asset optimization, texture compression, and engine implementation.
• Experience working with Unreal Engine is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work within established visual styles and consistently match art direction across a range of assets.
• Strong portfolio showcasing professional-quality game UI artwork, iconography, rendering skills, and stylistic versatility.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with designers and artists, incorporate feedback, and iterate quickly.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing polished, production-ready work.
• Ability to work independently in a fully remote environment and manage priorities within flexible working arrangements.
• Availability to start immediately and commit to a four-month freelance engagement.
• Ability to work during core collaboration hours of approximately 10:00–16:00 CET.

Benefits

• Four-month freelance contract with an immediate start.
• Fully remote position, allowing you to work from Romania while collaborating with an international team.
• Flexible working schedule, with core collaboration hours from 10:00 to 16:00 CET.
• Opportunity to contribute to ambitious, high-profile gaming projects with major releases planned across the coming years.
• Exposure to modern game development technologies and workflows, including Unreal Engine 5.
• Opportunity to collaborate with experienced professionals across art, UX, game design, and UI disciplines.
• International and inclusive working environment that welcomes people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Opportunity to contribute to visually distinctive gaming experiences reaching players worldwide.