Senior Digital Artist - Game Development

Placements24; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

State-of-the-art hardware and software

Career advancement opportunities

Collaborative studio environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Digital Artist for its Randburg-based game development studio. You will create high-fidelity 2D and 3D assets, environments, and characters, shaping the visual identity of our projects. The role demands strong portfolio development and leadership to mentor junior artists.

You will collaborate with designers, animators, and programmers to integrate art assets into the engine, optimize performance, and stay ahead of industry trends in a creative team.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience as a digital artist in the video game industry or Arts & Entertainment sector, with a strong portfolio showcasing expertise in game asset creation.
• Proficiency in industry-standard 2D and 3D art software such as Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Photoshop, and a modern game engine (Unreal Engine or Unity).
• Demonstrated ability to create high-quality models, textures, and lighting for realistic or stylized game environments and characters.
• Strong understanding of art fundamentals, including anatomy, composition, color theory, and perspective.
• Proven experience in mentoring and leading junior artists.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing project requirements.

Responsibilities

• Create high-fidelity 2D and 3D art assets, including characters, environments, props, and UI elements, adhering to project art style guides.
• Develop concept art, mood boards, and style guides to define the visual direction of game projects.
• Optimize assets for performance across various gaming platforms, ensuring efficient memory usage and frame rates.
• Collaborate closely with game designers, animators, and programmers to integrate art assets seamlessly into the game engine.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior artists, fostering their artistic and technical development.
• Stay current with the latest trends, techniques, and technologies in game art development.
• Contribute to the technical art pipeline, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions.
• Ensure consistency and quality across all art assets throughout the development cycle.
• Participate in art reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical art issues during production.

Skills

Mentoring junior artists

Communication

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

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

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

ZBrush

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic force in the Arts & Entertainment sector, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Digital Artist to join their innovative game development studio in Randburg, Gauteng. This role is crucial in shaping the visual identity and aesthetic of cutting-edge video games. You will be responsible for creating high-quality 2D and 3D assets, environments, and characters that immerse players in compelling virtual worlds. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional artistic talent, a deep understanding of game art pipelines, and the ability to mentor junior artists. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned artist to contribute significantly to visually stunning and engaging gaming experiences within a collaborative and creative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-fidelity 2D and 3D art assets, including characters, environments, props, and UI elements, adhering to project art style guides.
• Develop concept art, mood boards, and style guides to define the visual direction of game projects.
• Optimize assets for performance across various gaming platforms, ensuring efficient memory usage and frame rates.
• Collaborate closely with game designers, animators, and programmers to integrate art assets seamlessly into the game engine.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior artists, fostering their artistic and technical development.
• Stay current with the latest trends, techniques, and technologies in game art development.
• Contribute to the technical art pipeline, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions.
• Ensure consistency and quality across all art assets throughout the development cycle.
• Participate in art reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical art issues during production.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience as a digital artist in the video game industry or Arts & Entertainment sector, with a strong portfolio showcasing expertise in game asset creation.
• Proficiency in industry-standard 2D and 3D art software such as Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Photoshop, and a modern game engine (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Demonstrated ability to create high-quality models, textures, and lighting for realistic or stylized game environments and characters.
• Strong understanding of art fundamentals, including anatomy, composition, color theory, and perspective.
• Proven experience in mentoring and leading junior artists.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing project requirements.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Passion for video games and a keen eye for visual aesthetics in the gaming world, based in Randburg, Gauteng.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience.
• Opportunity to work on exciting and visually rich game titles.
• Collaborative and inspiring studio environment.
• Access to state-of-the-art hardware and software.
• Potential for career advancement and skill development.
• Be part of a team that pushes the boundaries of interactive entertainment.