Senior Digital Illustrator & Concept Artist

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Remote work

Learning opportunities

Collaborative remote team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Digital Illustrator & Concept Artist for a fully remote position based in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. You will shape visual identities from initial sketches to final renders, working closely with directors and writers to translate narratives into compelling art.

The role requires a strong portfolio and expertise in Photoshop/Illustrator/Procreate, with knowledge of 3D tools (Blender/Maya) a plus.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Digital Illustrator or Concept Artist.
• Proficiency in industry-standard digital art software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate; familiarity with Blender/Maya is a plus.
• Excellent understanding of anatomy, perspective, color theory, lighting, composition, and visual design principles.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote-first environment.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills for cross-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in game development, animation, or film pre-production is advantageous.
• Keen eye for detail and storytelling through visual art.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and create high-quality digital artwork, including character designs, environment concepts, prop designs, and storyboards.
• Collaborate with directors, writers, and artists to translate narrative requirements into visual assets.
• Develop and maintain a consistent artistic style across projects for brand alignment.
• Produce detailed concept art for pre-production, pitching, and production phases, meeting deadlines and quality standards.
• Experiment with various techniques, software, and styles to push creative boundaries.
• Provide constructive feedback to junior artists and maintain a productive remote team dynamic.
• Maintain an organized digital workspace and asset management workflow.

Skills

Digital illustration

Concept art

Storytelling

Remote collaboration

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Illustrator

Procreate

Blender

Maya

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading digital media house, is seeking a highly skilled and imaginative Senior Digital Illustrator & Concept Artist to join their expanding team. This is a fully remote, Pietermaritzburg -based opportunity, offering the chance to contribute to groundbreaking projects across various entertainment platforms. You will be instrumental in shaping the visual identity of new intellectual properties, from initial sketches to polished final renders. The ideal candidate possesses a strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional artistic talent and a deep understanding of visual storytelling. This role is pivotal in bringing creative visions to life, requiring a proactive and collaborative spirit within a virtual environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and create high-quality digital artwork, including character designs, environment concepts, prop designs, and storyboards.
• Collaborate closely with directors, writers, and other artists to interpret and translate script and narrative requirements into compelling visual assets.
• Develop and maintain a consistent artistic style across projects, ensuring visual coherence and brand alignment.
• Produce detailed concept art for pre-production, pitching, and production phases, meeting all deadlines and quality standards.
• Experiment with different artistic techniques, software, and styles to push creative boundaries and deliver innovative solutions.
• Provide constructive feedback and guidance to junior artists, fostering a positive and productive team dynamic in a remote setting.
• Maintain an organized digital workspace and file management system for efficient workflow and asset retrieval.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Digital Illustrator or Concept Artist, with a strong portfolio showcasing diverse artistic styles and skills.
• Proficiency in industry-standard digital art software, such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, and potentially 3D modeling software (e.g., Blender, Maya).
• Excellent understanding of anatomy, perspective, color theory, lighting, composition, and visual design principles.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote-first environment, demonstrating strong self-discipline.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate creative ideas clearly and professionally.
• Experience in game development, animation, or film pre-production is highly advantageous.
• A keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling through visual art.
• Familiarity with digital art workflows and asset pipelines.

Benefits

• Opportunity to work remotely from Pietermaritzburg , KwaZulu-Natal, on exciting and diverse creative projects.
• Competitive annual salary package.
• Access to cutting-edge digital art tools and software.
• Continuous professional development and learning opportunities.
• Collaborative and supportive remote team environment.
• Contribution to innovative projects within the entertainment industry.