About the Role
Our client, a renowned game development studio based in the picturesque region of Paarl, Western Cape , is seeking a highly skilled Senior Character Artist to contribute to their exciting portfolio of games. You will be responsible for creating high-quality 3D character models, from initial concept to final in-game assets, ensuring they meet the artistic vision and technical requirements of our projects. This role demands exceptional proficiency in modeling, sculpting, texturing, and potentially rigging for characters that are both visually stunning and performant. You will collaborate closely with character concept artists, animators, and technical artists to bring diverse characters to life. Join our creative team in Paarl and leave your mark on characters that players will remember and connect with for years to come.
Key Responsibilities
- Model, sculpt, and texture high-fidelity 3D characters based on concept art and art direction.
- Ensure character models meet technical specifications for polygon count, texture resolution, and performance budgets across target platforms.
- Create realistic or stylized textures, including diffuse, normal, specular, and other maps.
- Work closely with riggers and animators to ensure character models are optimized for animation and deformation.
- Contribute to the establishment of character art pipelines and best practices.
- Collaborate with the art team to maintain visual consistency and quality across all character assets.
- Potentially assist with character rigging and skinning as needed.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest character art techniques, tools, and industry trends.
- Provide feedback and guidance to junior character artists.
Requirements
- A minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a 3D Character Artist in the video game industry.
- A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional 3D character models with diverse styles, demonstrating proficiency in modeling, sculpting, and texturing.
- Expertise in industry-standard software such as ZBrush, Maya, 3ds Max, Photoshop, and Substance Painter.
- Proficiency in creating PBR materials and textures.
- Understanding of anatomy, form, and silhouette for character design.
- Familiarity with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their requirements for character assets.
- Good understanding of the animation pipeline and requirements for rigged characters.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Digital Art, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Generous paid time off and flexible working arrangements.
- Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
- A dynamic and collaborative work environment in the beautiful Paarl region.
- Relocation assistance for qualified candidates.
- Work on exciting and diverse game projects.