Art Director - Game Development

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an imaginative and experienced Art Director for a Durban-based game studio, overseeing visual development for a AAA title. You will define aesthetic direction, lead a diverse art team, and ensure high-quality, consistent visuals across characters, environments, UI, and effects.

The role requires 8+ years in game art, with at least 3 years in an Art Director/Lead Artist capacity, and a strong portfolio across shipped titles.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in game art production
• 3+ years in Art Director or Lead Artist roles
• Strong art portfolio across multiple shipped titles
• Proficiency in Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Photoshop
• Deep understanding of game engines (Unreal/Unity)
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Clear feedback and collaboration across disciplines
• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts/related field or equivalent experience

Responsibilities

• Define and communicate the overall art direction and visual style for the game project.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of artists including concept artists, 3D modelers, animators and texture artists.
• Collaborate with designers, programmers, and producers to align art with gameplay and narrative.
• Develop and maintain style guides, mood boards and concept art to guide the art team.
• Oversee creation of all visual assets: characters, environments, props, UI, effects.
• Ensure quality and consistency of art assets per specs.
• Manage the art production pipeline including asset creation, integration and optimization.
• Conduct art reviews and provide constructive feedback.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging art tech.

Skills

Art direction

Leadership

Mentoring team

Art pipelines

Communication

Color theory

Feedback

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or related field

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

ZBrush

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent independent game studio situated in Durban, is seeking an imaginative and experienced Art Director to lead their visual development team. This role is central to defining the aesthetic direction and visual quality of our upcoming AAA title. You will be instrumental in creating compelling art styles, guiding character and environment design, and ensuring artistic consistency across all aspects of the game. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of game art pipelines, exceptional leadership skills, and a passion for creating visually stunning interactive experiences. Join our client in Durban and contribute to a game that will captivate players worldwide with its unique artistic vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and communicate the overall art direction and visual style for the game project.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of artists, including concept artists, 3D modelers, animators, and texture artists.
• Collaborate closely with game designers, programmers, and producers to align art with gameplay mechanics and narrative.
• Develop and maintain style guides, mood boards, and concept art to guide the art team.
• Oversee the creation of all visual assets, including characters, environments, props, UI, and special effects.
• Ensure the quality and consistency of all art assets, adhering to technical and artistic specifications.
• Manage the art production pipeline, including asset creation, integration, and optimization.
• Conduct art reviews and provide constructive feedback to the art team.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging art technologies.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in game art production, with at least 3 years in an Art Director or Lead Artist role.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional art direction, concept art, and game art across multiple shipped titles.
• Proficiency in industry-standard art software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Photoshop).
• Deep understanding of game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide clear and constructive feedback.
• Strong understanding of color theory, composition, anatomy, and perspective.
• Experience with defining and maintaining art pipelines.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Digital Art, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and paid time off. Working in Durban provides access to a vibrant creative community and the opportunity to work on exciting, next-generation projects. We foster a collaborative and innovative work environment, encouraging professional growth and development for all team members.