Lead Concept Artist - Character & Creature Design

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings options

Hybrid work model

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Polokwane, Limpopo, is seeking a Lead Concept Artist to drive the visual direction for upcoming projects. This hybrid role combines creative leadership with hands-on artistry from our Polokwane hub.

You will lead a team of concept artists, establish unique visual styles, and translate narrative requirements into striking character designs for diverse projects in the arts and entertainment sector.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years in concept art, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.
• Exceptional drawing, painting and digital illustration with a strong understanding of anatomy, form and silhouette.
• Proficiency in Photoshop, Procreate and potentially 3D tools like ZBrush or Blender for concept sculpting.
• Proven ability to design a wide range of characters and creatures, from realistic to stylized.
• Strong understanding of visual storytelling and narrative development through art.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A standout portfolio showcasing original character and creature designs is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of concept artists in the creation of original character and creature designs.
• Develop compelling visual narratives and establish unique artistic styles for project characters.
• Collaborate closely with game directors, writers, and modelers to ensure designs are feasible and align with project goals.
• Create high-quality concept art, including sketches, turnarounds, detail callouts, and mood pieces.
• Provide constructive feedback and guidance to the concept art team, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
• Oversee the creation of character bibles and style guides to ensure consistency across the project.
• Stay informed about current trends in character design, fantasy art, and the entertainment industry.
• Present concepts and design directions effectively to internal teams and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Concept art

Character design

Creature design

Digital painting

Anatomy

Silhouette

Photoshop

Procreate

ZBrush

Blender

Narrative art

Tools

Photoshop

Procreate

ZBrush

Blender

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent studio in the arts and entertainment sector, is seeking an inspiring Lead Concept Artist to drive the visual direction of character and creature design for their upcoming projects. This hybrid role, based in Polokwane, Limpopo , offers the unique opportunity to blend creative leadership with hands‑on artistry. You will be responsible for guiding a team of talented concept artists, establishing unique visual styles, and translating narrative requirements into compelling character designs. The ideal candidate is a master storyteller through visuals, with a proven ability to conceptualize unique and memorable characters. This is an exceptional chance to contribute significantly to visually rich projects from our Polokwane hub.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of concept artists in the creation of original character and creature designs.
• Develop compelling visual narratives and establish unique artistic styles for project characters.
• Collaborate closely with game directors, writers, and modelers to ensure designs are feasible and align with project goals.
• Create high-quality concept art, including sketches, turnarounds, detail callouts, and mood pieces.
• Provide constructive feedback and guidance to the concept art team, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
• Oversee the creation of character bibles and style guides to ensure consistency across the project.
• Stay informed about current trends in character design, fantasy art, and the entertainment industry.
• Present concepts and design directions effectively to internal teams and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in concept art, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.
• Exceptional skills in drawing, painting, and digital illustration, with a strong understanding of anatomy, form, and silhouette.
• Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Photoshop, Procreate, and potentially 3D tools like ZBrush or Blender for concept sculpting.
• Proven ability to design a wide range of characters and creatures, from realistic to stylized.
• Strong understanding of visual storytelling and narrative development through art.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively in a collaborative environment.
• A standout portfolio showcasing original character and creature designs is mandatory.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary of R per annum , complemented by a robust health insurance plan and retirement savings options.
• This hybrid role provides a balance between remote work flexibility and essential in‑office collaboration at our Polokwane studio.
• Employees have access to ongoing professional development, including specialized workshops and conferences.
• This position offers the chance to shape the visual identity of exciting new projects and grow within a respected organization in the Limpopo region.