Senior Concept Artist - Environmental Design

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Retirement plan

Hybrid work

Career growth

Job summary

Placements24 in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, is seeking a Senior Concept Artist with a specialization in environmental design to lead the visual direction of game environments. You will translate briefs into high fidelity concept art, shaping mood, architecture, and landscapes and collaborate closely with art directors, level designers and 3D artists.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience, a strong portfolio of AAA or high-fidelity titles, expert Photoshop skills, and proficiency with

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience as a Concept Artist with a focus on environmental design for games.
• Strong portfolio of AAA or high-fidelity game titles.
• Excellent digital painting skills in Photoshop and related tools.
• Solid understanding of composition, perspective, color theory, lighting and form.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality concept art for game environments including landscapes, architecture, props, and mood pieces.
• Develop visual styles, color palettes, and atmospheric elements for game worlds.
• Collaborate with art directors, level designers, and 3D artists to refine environment designs.
• Produce detailed sketches, illustrations, and digital paintings conveying design intent.
• Research references across historical periods, architectural styles, natural environments, and cultural influences.

Skills

Concept art

Environmental design

Team collaboration

Time management

Education

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

Tools

Photoshop

Maya

Blender

ZBrush

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious game development studio recognized for its visually stunning and immersive worlds, is seeking a talented Senior Concept Artist with a specialization in environmental design to join their team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. This role is crucial for envisioning and defining the aesthetic direction of game environments, from initial sketches to detailed paintings. You will be responsible for creating captivating concept art that establishes the mood, style, and architecture of our client's game worlds. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional artistic skills, a deep understanding of architectural and natural forms, and a passion for world-building. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to visually rich projects and collaborate with a team of highly skilled artists and designers. You will play a key role in shaping the player's visual journey through unique and memorable environments. We are looking for a creative visionary who can translate abstract ideas into tangible, inspiring visual concepts. Your work will be instrumental in guiding the 3D art team and ensuring a cohesive and breathtaking visual experience for players. Your contributions will directly enhance the immersive quality and artistic merit of our client's games, reinforcing their reputation for exceptional visual design.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-quality concept art for game environments, including landscapes, architecture, props, and mood pieces.
• Develop visual styles, color palettes, and atmospheric elements for game worlds.
• Collaborate closely with art directors, level designers, and 3D artists to define and refine environment designs.
• Produce detailed sketches, illustrations, and digital paintings that communicate design intent clearly.
• Research and gather references for historical periods, architectural styles, natural environments, and cultural influences.
• Explore and iterate on design ideas rapidly, presenting multiple options for consideration.
• Ensure consistency in style and quality across all environmental concept art.
• Provide clear visual direction and feedback to the 3D environment art team.
• Stay current with trends and advancements in concept art and environmental design.
• Contribute to world-building by developing detailed visual backstories for environments.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a Concept Artist, with a strong focus on environmental design for video games.
• Proven experience creating compelling concept art for AAA or high-fidelity game titles.
• Exceptional digital painting skills using software such as Photoshop.
• Strong understanding of composition, perspective, color theory, lighting, and form.
• Familiarity with 3D software (e.g., Maya, Blender, ZBrush) for model kitbashing or perspective drawing assistance is a plus.
• Ability to translate written descriptions and abstract ideas into visual concepts.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines in a fast-paced production environment.
• A strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of environmental concept art.
• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Illustration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package including medical and retirement plans, and significant opportunities for career growth. Employees enjoy a creative studio environment, access to industry-leading tools, and the chance to work on exciting, visually ambitious projects. We foster a collaborative culture that values artistic innovation. This role is based in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, with a hybrid work model offering flexibility.