Senior Character Artist

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Generous leave

Career growth

Mahikeng North West

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Character Artist for its Mahikeng, North West studio. You will craft high-fidelity 3D character models, sculpt, texture, and contribute to PBR material creation for upcoming titles.

You will collaborate with art directors and concept artists, ensuring assets meet performance and engine integration requirements while mentoring junior artists and advancing team capabilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a Character Artist in the game development industry.
• Strong portfolio showcasing high-quality 3D character models, sculpts, textures and presentation renders.
• Proficiency in ZBrush, Maya, Substance Painter, Photoshop and Marmoset Toolbag.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Game Design, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Create high-fidelity 3D character models, including sculpting, retopology, UV unwrapping, and texture painting.
• Develop realistic and stylized PBR materials for characters.
• Collaborate with the art director and concept artists to translate 2D designs into 3D assets.
• Ensure character models meet technical specifications for performance and integration into the game engine.
• Optimize character assets for efficient rendering and animation.
• Work with riggers and animators to ensure character models deform correctly.
• Maintain a high level of artistic quality and consistency across all character assets.
• Participate in art reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback.
• Stay updated on the latest character art techniques, tools, and industry trends.
• Mentor junior character artists and contribute to the team's overall skill development.

Skills

ZBrush

Maya

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Marmoset Toolbag

Character anatomy

PBR workflows

Education

Bachelors in Fine Arts / Game Design

Tools

ZBrush

Maya

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Marmoset Toolbag

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a game development studio celebrated for its richly detailed characters and immersive worlds, is seeking a Senior Character Artist to join their talented team in Mahikeng, North West. In this role, you will be responsible for creating high-quality, realistic, and stylized 3D character models, textures, and potentially materials for our client's upcoming titles. You will work closely with the art director and design team to bring characters to life, ensuring they align with the game's overall aesthetic and technical requirements. The ideal candidate will possess a strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional character art skills, a keen eye for anatomy and form, and a passion for creating compelling digital personalities. This is a superb opportunity to contribute to visually striking games and grow your career within a collaborative studio in Mahikeng.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-fidelity 3D character models, including sculpting, retopology, UV unwrapping, and texture painting.
• Develop realistic and stylized PBR materials for characters.
• Collaborate with the art director and concept artists to translate 2D designs into 3D assets.
• Ensure character models meet technical specifications for performance and integration into the game engine.
• Optimize character assets for efficient rendering and animation.
• Work with riggers and animators to ensure character models deform correctly.
• Maintain a high level of artistic quality and consistency across all character assets.
• Participate in art reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback.
• Stay updated on the latest character art techniques, tools, and industry trends.
• Mentor junior character artists and contribute to the team's overall skill development.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a Character Artist in the game development industry.
• A strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of high-quality 3D character models, with clear examples of sculpts, textures, and presentation renders.
• Proficiency in industry-standard software such as ZBrush, Maya, Substance Painter, Photoshop, and Marmoset Toolbag.
• Deep understanding of human and creature anatomy, form, silhouette, and fabric/clothing principles.
• Experience with PBR workflows and creating realistic material definitions.
• Knowledge of optimization techniques for real-time rendering.
• Ability to interpret and execute concept art effectively.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to different art styles and project requirements.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package reflecting experience and artistic talent.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Generous paid leave and holiday schedule.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional growth.
• A creative and collaborative work environment in Mahikeng, North West.
• Involvement in exciting and visually impactful game projects.
• Company-sponsored training and workshop attendance.
• Potential for bonuses based on project success and performance.