Senior Character Artist

Placements24; Kimberley; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Retirement plan

Performance bonuses

Paid time off

Career development

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Character Artist to join our Kimberley studio and lead the creation of high-fidelity 3D characters for our game projects. You will sculpt, texture, retopologize, and implement characters while collaborating with concept artists and animators to ensure consistency with artistic direction.

The role demands a strong portfolio, deep anatomy knowledge, and proficiency in Maya, ZBrush, Blender, Substance Painter, and Photoshop.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a Character Artist in the video game industry, with a portfolio showcasing exceptional character models.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling software such as Maya, ZBrush, and Blender.
• Expertise in texturing and material creation using software like Substance Painter and Photoshop.
• Strong understanding of human and creature anatomy, form, and proportion.
• Experience with PBR workflows and real-time rendering engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Familiarity with the rigging and animation process for characters.
• Excellent artistic eye and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, 3D Animation, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Must be able to work on-site in our Kimberley studio.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality 3D character models, including sculpting, retopology, UV mapping, and texturing.
• Ensure character models meet technical specifications for performance and integration into game engines.
• Collaborate closely with concept artists and art directors to interpret and execute character designs accurately.
• Develop realistic or stylized textures and materials that bring characters to life.
• Work with the animation team to ensure models are properly rigged and deform well.
• Optimize character assets for various platforms, maintaining visual fidelity and performance.
• Stay updated on the latest character art techniques, tools, and industry trends.
• Provide constructive feedback and mentorship to junior character artists.
• Participate in art reviews and contribute to the overall artistic quality of the game.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to character models.

Skills

Character sculpting

Maya

ZBrush

Blender

Texturing (Substance Painter)

PBR workflows

Unreal Engine/Unity

Anatomy knowledge

Rigging familiarity

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts / 3D Animation or related field

Tools

Maya

ZBrush

Blender

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly respected studio renowned for creating detailed and memorable characters, is seeking a talented Senior Character Artist to join our team in Kimberley . This role is central to bringing our game's characters to life with exceptional quality and artistic integrity. You will be responsible for modeling, sculpting, texturing, and implementing high-fidelity 3D characters, ensuring they meet both artistic and technical requirements. The ideal candidate possesses a strong portfolio demonstrating mastery of character creation across various styles, excellent attention to detail, and a deep understanding of anatomy, form, and visual storytelling. You will collaborate closely with the art director, concept artists, and animators to ensure character designs are realized effectively and consistently. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute your skills to visually compelling projects and grow within a supportive and creative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-quality 3D character models, including sculpting, retopology, UV mapping, and texturing.
• Ensure character models meet technical specifications for performance and integration into game engines.
• Collaborate closely with concept artists and art directors to interpret and execute character designs accurately.
• Develop realistic or stylized textures and materials that bring characters to life.
• Work with the animation team to ensure models are properly rigged and deform well.
• Optimize character assets for various platforms, maintaining visual fidelity and performance.
• Stay updated on the latest character art techniques, tools, and industry trends.
• Provide constructive feedback and mentorship to junior character artists.
• Participate in art reviews and contribute to the overall artistic quality of the game.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to character models.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Character Artist in the video game industry, with a portfolio showcasing exceptional character models.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling software such as Maya, ZBrush, and Blender.
• Expertise in texturing and material creation using software like Substance Painter and Photoshop.
• Strong understanding of human and creature anatomy, form, and proportion.
• Experience with PBR workflows and real-time rendering engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Familiarity with the rigging and animation process for characters.
• Excellent artistic eye and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to take direction and iterate on work effectively.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, 3D Animation, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Must be able to work on-site in our Kimberley studio.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. This includes private medical insurance, retirement plan options, and potential for performance-based bonuses. Employees receive generous paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and public holidays. We are dedicated to professional growth, offering access to industry conferences, specialized training, and opportunities for career advancement. Our Kimberley studio provides a creative and collaborative work environment with modern facilities. We also provide relocation assistance for qualified candidates looking to move to Kimberley . Join a studio where artistic talent is celebrated and contribute to creating memorable characters.