Lead Digital Artist - Gaming

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Creative studio culture

Cutting-edge hardware

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Lead Digital Artist in Gauteng to head the art team for a fast-growing game studio in Tembisa. You will steer the visual style, oversee asset creation, and ensure high-quality virtual worlds across multiple titles.

The role requires strong leadership, an outstanding portfolio, and hands-on experience with industry-standard tools. You will work in a collaborative environment with cross-functional teams to deliver engaging gaming experiences.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in digital art for games.
• 2+ years in lead or supervisory role.
• Strong portfolio in character, environment and VFX art.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the art team with clear direction.
• Define overall art style and visual direction for projects.
• Oversee creation of 2D/3D assets and UI elements.
• Collaborate with designers, programmers and producers to integrate assets.
• Manage art production pipeline and ensure timely delivery.
• Conduct art reviews to maintain quality and consistency.

Skills

Leadership

Art direction

Mentoring

Communication

Collaboration

Tools

Maya

Blender

Substance Painter

ZBrush

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding game development studio situated in Tembisa , is seeking an exceptionally talented Lead Digital Artist to spearhead their art team. This role is crucial for defining and executing the visual style and aesthetic for upcoming gaming titles. You will be instrumental in guiding the artistic direction, ensuring the highest quality of visual assets that immerse players in compelling virtual worlds. This is an exciting chance to shape the visual future of games, working within a passionate and collaborative team in the vibrant entertainment landscape of Gauteng.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of digital artists, providing art direction and constructive feedback to ensure visual quality and consistency.
• Define the overall art style and visual direction for game projects, creating detailed art style guides.
• Oversee the creation of high-quality 2D and 3D assets, including character models, environments, and UI elements.
• Collaborate effectively with game designers, programmers, and producers to integrate art assets seamlessly into the game engine.
• Manage the art production pipeline, ensuring timely delivery of assets and efficient workflow.
• Conduct regular art reviews and provide guidance to maintain artistic integrity throughout the development cycle in Tembisa .

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in digital art for video games, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Exceptional portfolio demonstrating expertise in game art creation, including character design, environment art, and visual effects.
• Proficiency in industry-standard 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering software (e.g., Maya, Blender, Substance Painter, ZBrush).
• Strong understanding of game art pipelines, optimization techniques, and engine requirements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working within agile development environments and collaborating with cross-functional teams in Tembisa .

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and leadership.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits.
• Opportunities for professional growth and skill development.
• A creative and collaborative studio culture focused on delivering exceptional gaming experiences.
• Access to cutting-edge hardware and software for art creation.