Lead 3D Environment Artist

Placements24; Mossel Bay; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Performance bonus

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead 3D Environment Artist for an on-site role in Mossel Bay, Western Cape. You will set the visual direction for environments, mentor a team of artists, and ensure the highest artistic quality across projects.

You will drive environmental storytelling, collaborate with designers and technical artists, and optimize assets for modern game engines such as Unreal Engine and Unity. A strong portfolio and leadership experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a related field.
• Extensive experience as a 3D Environment Artist with leadership responsibilities.
• Strong portfolio of game environment art covering modeling, texturing, lighting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation of high-quality 3D environments from concept to implementation.
• Set and maintain artistic vision, style, and quality across assets.
• Direct, mentor, and provide feedback to a team of 3D environment artists.
• Collaborate with level designers, art directors, and technical artists to ensure environments are compelling and functional.
• Develop environmental storytelling through composition, lighting, and asset placement.
• Create and manage environment asset pipelines including modeling, texturing, and set dressing.
• Optimize assets for performance in Unreal Engine and Unity.
• Establish and document art standards and best practices for environment creation.
• Participate in art reviews and stay updated with industry trends.

Skills

Team leadership

Art direction

Environment storytelling

Composition

Lighting

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts or Computer Graphics

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Blender

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly acclaimed game development studio renowned for its visually stunning and immersive worlds, is seeking an exceptionally talented Lead 3D Environment Artist. This pivotal role requires an artist with a proven track record of creating breathtaking game environments, coupled with the leadership skills to guide and inspire a team. You will be responsible for setting the visual direction for environments, establishing art standards, and ensuring the highest level of quality and artistic integrity across all projects. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of environmental storytelling, composition, and the technical execution required for modern game engines. This is an on-site position, fostering close collaboration and an inspiring studio atmosphere in the beautiful coastal city of Mossel Bay, Western Cape, ZA . Join us in crafting unforgettable virtual worlds.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the creation of high-quality 3D environments from initial concept to final implementation.
• Set and maintain artistic vision, style, and quality bar for all environmental assets.
• Direct, mentor, and provide constructive feedback to a team of 3D environment artists.
• Collaborate closely with level designers, art directors, and technical artists to ensure environments are compelling, functional, and technically sound.
• Develop and refine environmental storytelling through composition, lighting, and asset placement.
• Create and manage environment asset pipelines, including modeling, texturing, and set dressing.
• Optimize environment assets for performance within game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Establish and document art standards and best practices for environment creation.
• Participate in art reviews and provide critical feedback.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies in 3D environment art and game development.

Requirements

• Extensive professional experience as a 3D Environment Artist in the game industry, with significant experience in a lead or senior role.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional environment art creation for games, demonstrating mastery in modeling, texturing, and lighting.
• Proficiency in industry-standard 3D modeling software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max, Blender) and texturing tools (e.g., Substance Painter, Photoshop).
• Experience working with modern game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity) and understanding of their environmental tools.
• Strong artistic fundamentals, including composition, color theory, and lighting.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide artists.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration.
• Ability to establish and maintain a high-quality art direction for environments.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Computer Graphics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Passion for creating immersive and believable game worlds.

Benefits

• Our client provides a competitive salary, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, and an attractive performance bonus program.
• Employees enjoy a dynamic and collaborative studio environment, access to cutting-edge technology, and opportunities for professional growth and development.
• We also offer a retirement savings plan and generous paid time off.
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates looking to join our team in Mossel Bay, Western Cape, ZA.