Senior Character Concept Artist for Games

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plans

Generous vacation time

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa seeks a Senior Concept Artist specializing in Character Design to lead visual development for premier game projects. You’ll craft distinctive characters, turnarounds, expressions, and costumes, guiding art direction and storytelling.

You will collaborate with directors, designers, and writers, translate ideas into striking visuals, and mentor junior artists while staying current with industry trends and pipelines.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience as a concept artist with a strong character portfolio.
• Proficiency in digital painting software (Photoshop, Procreate).
• Strong anatomy, form, color theory, and composition.
• Experience designing characters for video games or animated features.
• Able to collaborate and respond to feedback constructively.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Understanding of 3D modeling and game engine pipelines is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts/Illustration or equivalent.
• Passion for character creation and storytelling.
• Familiarity with the SA creative landscape is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality concept art for game characters, including turnarounds, expressions, and costume variations.
• Collaborate with art directors, game designers, and writers to develop concepts.
• Explore a wide range of character ideas, iterating rapidly based on feedback.
• Ensure character designs are practical for implementation by 3D modelers and animators.
• Maintain a consistent art style and quality across all character assets.
• Research historical periods, cultural influences, and real-world references.
• Develop mood boards and visual guides to communicate character vision effectively.
• Mentor junior concept artists and provide constructive feedback.
• Stay updated with trends and technologies in character design and digital art.
• Participate in art team critiques and foster a collaborative environment.

Skills

Character design

Digital painting

Anatomy & color theory

Game character design

Collaboration

Communication

3D/game engine knowledge

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Storytelling

SA creative landscape familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts/Illustration or related field

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Procreate

Job description

Placements24 in Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa seeks a Senior Concept Artist specializing in Character Design to lead visual development for premier game projects. You’ll craft distinctive characters, turnarounds, expressions, and costumes, guiding art direction and storytelling.

You will collaborate with directors, designers, and writers, translate ideas into striking visuals, and mentor junior artists while staying current with industry trends and pipelines.