Lead Concept Artist - Sci-Fi World Building

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,482,000 - 2,470,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement planning

Remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Concept Artist for a fully remote, globally distributed team. You will define the visual direction for ambitious sci-fi universes, guide a team of concept artists, and deliver concepts across characters, environments, props, and key moments.

You bring a strong portfolio, expert digital painting skills, and at least 8 years in concept art with 3+ in leadership. Collaboration, critique, and pushing visual storytelling are essential.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in concept art for games/film/animation.
• 3+ years in leadership roles.
• Strong sci-fi concept portfolio.
• Proficient in Photoshop, Procreate, and 3D tools.
• Excellent communication and team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Define overall visual direction for sci-fi projects.
• Lead and mentor a team of concept artists.
• Create concept art for characters, environments, props.
• Develop style guides and briefs for consistency.
• Collaborate with directors and art leads.
• Stay current with industry trends and tools.

Skills

Leadership

Concept art

Digital painting

Character design

Environment design

Color theory

Art direction

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts or related

Tools

Photoshop

Procreate

Blender

Maya

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a visionary studio at the forefront of science fiction world-building for games and interactive media, is seeking an exceptional Lead Concept Artist to join their globally distributed team. This is a fully remote position, empowering you to create incredible worlds from anywhere. You will be responsible for defining the visual direction and aesthetic of our client's expansive sci‑fi universes, guiding a team of talented concept artists. Your work will span character designs, environment concepts, prop designs, and mood pieces that establish the tone and style of upcoming projects. The ideal candidate possesses a remarkable portfolio demonstrating mastery of digital painting, strong design fundamentals, and a proven ability to lead and inspire creative teams. We are looking for an artist with a deep passion for science fiction and a collaborative spirit, ready to push the boundaries of visual storytelling. This role offers the unique opportunity to shape the visual identity of ambitious, genre-defining projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain the overall visual direction and aesthetic for sci‑fi projects, translating abstract ideas into compelling visual concepts.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of concept artists, providing clear feedback, art direction, and technical guidance.
• Create high-quality concept art for characters, environments, vehicles, props, and key story moments.
• Develop detailed visual briefs and style guides to ensure consistency across the art team and production pipeline.
• Collaborate closely with game directors, art directors, and other stakeholders to ensure concepts align with project vision and narrative goals.
• Research and explore various artistic styles, technologies, and influences to inform creative decisions.
• Manage the concept art pipeline, ensuring timely delivery of assets and efficient workflow management.
• Conduct regular art reviews, providing constructive criticism and fostering a collaborative creative environment.
• Stay current with industry trends, tools, and emerging technologies relevant to concept art and world‑building.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Illustration, Digital Art, or a related field, or equivalent extensive professional experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in concept art for games, film, or animation, with at least 3 years in a leadership or senior role.
• Exceptional digital painting skills and a strong portfolio showcasing diverse sci‑fi concepts and world‑building.
• Proficiency in industry-standard digital art software such as Photoshop, Procreate, and potentially 3D software (e.g., Blender, Maya) for concepting.
• Deep understanding of art fundamentals, including composition, color theory, perspective, anatomy, and lighting.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor an art team, manage projects, and provide effective art direction.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to articulate creative vision clearly.
• Experience working effectively in a remote, collaborative team environment.
• A profound passion for science fiction and a drive to create innovative and inspiring visuals.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive remote work benefits including health insurance and retirement planning, and significant opportunities for professional growth and creative contribution. You will be part of a passionate and talented team working on cutting‑edge projects from the comfort of your own home. We foster an inclusive and dynamic culture that values creativity, autonomy, and pushing artistic boundaries. Join us to help build the unforgettable worlds of tomorrow, contributing your expertise to the pinnacle of sci‑fi entertainment.