Senior 3D Environment Artist

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 750,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Health benefits

Hybrid work model (Paarl + remote)

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior 3D Environment Artist for a renowned game studio in Paarl, Western Cape. You will craft immersive environments from block-out to polish, collaborating with designers and art leads to maintain visual fidelity and storytelling.

You should bring a strong portfolio, 5+ years in games, and proficiency in Maya/Blender/3ds Max, Substance Painter/Designer, and Unreal or Unity. The role offers a hybrid work setup with in-office collaboration in Paarl and remote

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years as a 3D Environment Artist in games.
• Strong portfolio in modeling, texturing, environment creation.
• Proficient in Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender.
• Experience with Substance Painter/Designer.
• Experience with Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Knowledge of PBR workflows.
• Strong eye for composition, color, and storytelling.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed and visually compelling 3D environment assets, including architecture, props, and foliage.
• Build game-ready environments using industry-standard software and game engines.
• Develop and apply high-quality textures, materials, and shaders to enhance realism and aesthetic appeal.
• Implement lighting and post-processing effects to create atmospheric and immersive scenes.
• Collaborate with level designers to ensure environments support gameplay mechanics and player navigation.
• Optimize environment assets for performance across target platforms without compromising visual quality.
• Participate in art reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback to maintain artistic consistency.
• Stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in 3D environment art and game development.
• Mentor junior environment artists, sharing knowledge and best practices.

Skills

Portfolio

Artistic eye

Communication

Teamwork

Env storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts / Game Design or related field

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Blender

Substance Painter

Substance Designer

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a critically acclaimed game development studio located in the picturesque town of Paarl, Western Cape, is searching for a talented Senior 3D Environment Artist. This role is instrumental in crafting the immersive worlds and stunning visual landscapes that define our client's award-winning games. You will be responsible for creating high-quality 3D environments, from initial block-out to final polish, ensuring artistic coherence, technical optimization, and exceptional visual fidelity. The ideal candidate possesses a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in modeling, texturing, lighting, and composition, with a keen eye for detail and a passion for environmental storytelling. You will collaborate closely with level designers, art directors, and other artists to bring imaginative game worlds to life. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute your artistic vision to a beloved franchise in a beautiful setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Create detailed and visually compelling 3D environment assets, including architecture, props, and foliage.
• Build game-ready environments using industry-standard software and game engines.
• Develop and apply high-quality textures, materials, and shaders to enhance realism and aesthetic appeal.
• Implement lighting and post-processing effects to create atmospheric and immersive scenes.
• Collaborate with level designers to ensure environments support gameplay mechanics and player navigation.
• Optimize environment assets for performance across target platforms without compromising visual quality.
• Participate in art reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback to maintain artistic consistency.
• Stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in 3D environment art and game development.
• Mentor junior environment artists, sharing knowledge and best practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a 3D Environment Artist in the games industry.
• Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional skills in modeling, texturing, and environment creation.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling software such as Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender.
• Expertise in texturing tools like Substance Painter and Substance Designer.
• Experience with game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Solid understanding of PBR (Physically Based Rendering) workflows.
• Excellent artistic eye for composition, color theory, and visual storytelling.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to adapt to different art styles and project requirements.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, performance bonuses, and comprehensive health benefits.
• Employees benefit from a creative and collaborative studio culture, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to work on exciting, high-profile game projects.
• The hybrid work model allows for a balance between in-office collaboration in Paarl, Western Cape and remote flexibility.
• Enjoy access to state-of-the-art hardware and software, and become part of a passionate team dedicated to creating memorable gaming experiences.
• This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled artist to grow their career in a supportive and inspiring environment.