Lead Character Artist

Placements24; Mossel Bay; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Mossel Bay location

Creative studio environment

Professional growth opportunities

Access to advanced tools and tech

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an exceptional Lead Character Artist to guide the creation of memorable characters in Mossel Bay. You will shape the artistic direction and ensure consistency across all character assets while mentoring a team of artists, from concept to engine integration.

You will collaborate closely with concept artists, designers, and directors to bring diverse personalities to life, maintaining high standards and driving innovation in character design for major projects.

Qualifications

• Extensive professional experience as a Character Artist with a proven leadership track record.
• Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional character work in gaming or film.
• Deep understanding of anatomy, form, color theory, and material definition.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills within a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the character art team, establishing and maintaining high-quality standards for models, textures, and materials.
• Oversee the full character creation pipeline from high-poly sculpting to low-poly optimization and texturing.
• Collaborate with concept artists, designers, and art directors to realize character visions.
• Mentor and guide junior and senior character artists, providing constructive feedback.
• Ensure assets are optimized for performance and integrate with animation and engine requirements.
• Stay current with industry trends, tools, and techniques in character art creation.

Skills

Leadership

Art direction

Mentoring

Communication

Tools

Maya

ZBrush

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an exceptionally talented and experienced Lead Character Artist to guide the creation of memorable and visually stunning characters for their upcoming entertainment projects. You will be instrumental in defining the artistic direction for character design and execution, ensuring the highest standards of quality and consistency across all character assets in Mossel Bay . This role involves leading and mentoring a team of talented artists, collaborating closely with character concept artists, riggers, and animators to bring diverse personalities to life. It is a prime opportunity for an artist with a passion for character creation to shape the visual identity of significant projects within a studio known for its artistic excellence and innovative spirit.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the character art team, establishing and maintaining high-quality standards for character models, textures, and materials.
• Oversee the entire character creation pipeline, from high-poly sculpting to low-poly optimization and texturing.
• Collaborate closely with concept artists, game designers, and art directors to realize character visions.
• Mentor and guide junior and senior character artists, providing constructive feedback and fostering skill development.
• Ensure character assets are technically sound, optimized for performance, and integrate seamlessly with animation and engine requirements.
• Stay current with industry trends, tools, and techniques in character art creation.

Requirements

• Extensive professional experience as a Character Artist in the gaming or film industry, with a proven portfolio showcasing exceptional character work.
• Demonstrated experience in a leadership or Lead Artist role, managing a team and overseeing art production.
• Expertise in 3D modeling software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush) and texturing tools (e.g., Substance Painter, Photoshop).
• Strong understanding of anatomy, form, color theory, and material definition.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills within a team environment.

Benefits

• A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• The chance to work on visually rich and engaging character designs in Mossel Bay .
• Access to advanced modeling and texturing tools and technologies.
• A creative, collaborative, and supportive studio environment.
• Opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement.