Senior Concept Artist / 2D Artist

Daybreak Games; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

DC Lore expertise

MMO passion

UI/UX familiarity

Job summary

Daybreak Game Company LLC is seeking a visionary Senior Concept Artist / 2D Artist to shape the next generation of visual content for DC Universe Online. You will bridge classic comic iconography with cutting-edge game development, collaborating with Art Directors and design teams to craft iconic characters, environments, and stylized art.

You will lead and mentor junior artists, translate briefs into production-ready assets, and support marketing with high-end visuals when needed.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience as a Concept Artist or 2D Artist in the video game industry.
• Deep understanding of anatomical proportions, dynamic posing, dramatic lighting, and graphic storytelling for superhero art.
• Expert-level proficiency with industry-standard software (Adobe Photoshop, Procreate). Familiarity with 3D block-out pipelines (Blender, ZBrush) is a plus.
• Versatility across genres—from hyper-tech to stylized environments and creature design.
• Excellent collaboration skills and ability to articulate artistic choices and incorporate feedback.

Responsibilities

• Visualize the DC Universe through production-ready character turnarounds, variations, weapons concepts, and environments.
• Define style and tone to align with the DCUO visual identity.
• Support the 3D pipeline with orthographic callouts, material guides, texture breakdowns, and lighting keys.
• Collaborate with Designers and Animators to ensure concepts meet gameplay, tech, and engine constraints.
• Mentor and lead junior/mid-level artists to maintain visual quality and growth.
• Create high-end promotional illustrations, loading screens, and visual assets for marketing updates when needed.

Skills

2D concept art

Strong communication

Comic book stylization

Adaptable design toolkit

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Procreate

Blender

ZBrush

Job description

Position Title: Senior Concept Artist / 2D Artist

Studio/Department: Dimensional Ink Games/Live Development

Employee Type: Full Time, Regular

Location: Austin, TX / Remote (Daybreak Approved Remote Locations (CA, WA, TX, NY))

Salary Range: $85,000 - $110,000, pay may vary on location.

ABOUT OUR STUDIO

Dimensional Ink Games (DIG) is a Daybreak Game Company studio located in northwest Austin with a view of rolling hillsides. Our studio is centered around bringing comic adventures to life. You own your destiny in our games, and in your career here. We are a team that believes in passionately working towards our goals. Our core goal is developing DC Universe Online, and we plan to continue making it one of the best superhero video games available. We are building teams as diverse as our ideas, and you are invited to join in the adventure with us as we explore new worlds and characters year-round!

Job Summary

Dimensional Ink Games is seeking a visionary Senior Concept Artist / 2D Artist to help define the next generation of visual content for our long-running, hit MMORPG, DC Universe Online.

In this role, you will bridge the gap between classic comic book iconography and cutting-edge game development. You will collaborate closely with the Art Director, Lead Artists, and Design teams to craft iconic characters, vast environments, and stylized key art that honors the legacy of DC Comics while creating fresh, immersive experiences for our global player base.

Responsibilities

• Visualize the DC Universe: Design production-ready character turnarounds, costume variations, weapon concepts, and environments that encompass everything from the gritty streets of Gotham City to the cosmic expanses of Oa.
• Define Style and Tone: Translate complex design briefs and legendary comic lore into inspiring, functional 2D concept art that aligns with the established visual identity of DCUO.
• Support the 3D Pipeline: Create detailed orthographic callouts, material guides, texture breakdowns, and lighting keys to provide clear, unambiguous direction for 3D character, environment, and VFX artists.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner with Designers and Animators to ensure that concepts meet gameplay mechanics, technical specifications, and engine performance constraints.
• Mentor & Lead: Provide constructive feedback and artistic guidance to junior and mid-level artists on the team to foster creative growth and maintain visual quality across the board.
• Marketing & UI Support: Create high-end promotional illustrations, loading screens, and visual assets for community and marketing updates when needed.

Requirements

• Experience: 5+ years of professional experience as a Concept Artist or 2D Artist in the video game industry, with at least one shipped AAA or high-profile live-service title.
• Comic Book Stylization: A deep understanding of anatomical proportions, dynamic posing, dramatic lighting, and graphic storytelling traditions inherent to superhero comic book art.
• Technical Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in industry-standard software, including Adobe Photoshop and Procreate. Familiarity with 3D block-out pipelines (e.g., Blender, ZBrush) to aid 2D composition is a significant plus.
• Adaptable Design Toolkit: Exceptional versatility across genres—ranging from hyper-tech sci-fi and supernatural magic to gritty urban environments and stylized creature design.
• Strong Communication: Excellent collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate artistic choices and incorporate feedback from both internal leadership and external IP stakeholders.

Pluses

• DC Lore Expert: A passionate, deep-seated knowledge of DC Comics characters, storylines, and artistic eras.
• MMO Passion: Experience playing or developing live-service games, MMOs, or persistent online worlds.
• UI/UX Familiarity: Experience designing vector graphic elements or stylized iconography for game menus and interfaces.

ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Daybreak Game Company LLC is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games. Best known for blockbuster hits and franchises such as DC UniverseTM Online, PlanetSide®, EverQuest®, and Dungeons and Dragons Online®, Daybreak creates, develops, and provides compelling online entertainment for millions of gamers worldwide. We are the game publisher for Darkpaw Studios, Rogue Planet Gaming Studio, Dimensional Ink Games, and Standing Stone Games. To top it off, we are making games in three of the coolest cities in the United States: San Diego, Austin, and Boston. We make games that bring people together and build lasting communities and are totally devoted to delivering the ultimate gaming experience! Find out more about our company at www.daybreakgames.com.

**Daybreak Game Company, LLC. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to Diversity in the workplace.**