Character Artist

Piranha Games

$90K — $110K *
US-AnywhereRemote in Canada
Media
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 4-7+ years' experience in AAA game production, with minimum 2 shipped titles as Character Artist.
  • Post-secondary education in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or Game Art & Design, or relevant experience.
  • Strong understanding of human and animal anatomy, emphasizing form and movement.
  • Solid knowledge of character modeling, texturing, and lighting for games.
  • Expertise with 3D software like 3ds Max or Maya, and texture tools like Z-brush and Substance Painter.
  • Experience with Unreal Engine 5, including advanced material shader systems.
  • Familiarity with grooming techniques for hair and characters.

Responsibilities

  • Implement artistic vision for character designs and concepts.
  • Collaborate with leads to create a streamlined character production pipeline.
  • Model and texture high-quality 3D characters with anatomical accuracy.
  • Ensure characters effectively express personality through design details.
  • Work closely with various artists to meet or exceed visual targets.
  • Assist in developing a cohesive character creation process that aligns with creative direction.
  • Mentor junior artists and contribute to team problem-solving discussions.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and training.
  • Collaborative and creative work environment.
  • Mentorship roles available for personal growth.
  • Access to the latest industry tools and technologies.
  • Flexible work arrangements that promote work-life balance.
Full Job Description
OVERALL OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE:

Under the guidance of the Art Director and Lead Character Artist, model characters with a special focus on anatomy, ensuring they and supporting characters meet the same standards in terms of quality and style.

RESPONSIBLITIES:

  • Implement the overall artistic vision of characters based on designs, concepts and descriptions
  • Work with the Art Director and Lead Character Artist to combine ideas and methodologies of character production to create an efficient, streamlined pipeline, understanding the technical limitations of the engine
  • Design, model, and texture high quality 3D characters, paying close attention to anatomical proportions, scale, and skeletal templates
  • Ensure that the character models can convey a sense of personality in the game (morphology, silhouette, facial expressions, etc.)
  • Collaborate closely with concept artists, animators, game designers, and VFX artists to ensure the visual target is met or exceeded
  • Assist with the integration of a character development process that works in congruence with the creative direction, meets the technical constraints of the game, as well as production deadlines
  • Actively participate in technical and aesthetic problem-solving discussions with the team
  • Display exceptional integrity and understanding of the work; constantly seeking ways to improve the efficiency of the workflow and provide documented feedback to improve in-house tools
  • Stay up to date on best practices and industry trends, work to integrate them into the project and share knowledge with inter-project colleagues
  • Mentor and train junior artists
  • Other ad-hoc responsibilities as requested


REQUIREMENTS:

  • 4-7+ years' experience working on AAA console and/or PC titles with at least 2 shipped games as a Character Artist
  • Post-secondary education in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, Game Art & Design or equivalent education, and/or experience
  • Possess an exceptional understanding of human and animal anatomy with a keen eye towards form, structure, silhouette and organic movement
  • Solid knowledge of character modeling, texturing, and lighting as related to game development
  • Comprehensive knowledge of a major 3D package (3ds Max, Maya, etc.), Photoshop,
  • Z-brush, Substance Painter, Marmoset Toolbag, Marvelous Designer, etc.
  • Demonstrated experience in the design and development of fantasy characters and creatures.
  • A detail obsessed eye for creating and manipulating texture maps and excellent understanding of the value of UV space
  • Be able to create characters with finished, rough, or no concept art that fits within the style
  • Expertise in incorporating characters in Unreal Engine 5
  • Expert experience using of advanced material shader systems for characters
  • Experience with groom(strands) and hair cards, to support in-game and cinematics characters
  • Equally proficiency in clothing and hard surface modeling
  • Knowledge of animation typology (rigging, skinning, etc.)


We are open to candidates at Intermediate to Senior levels depending on experience. Intermediate: 4+ years, Senior: 7+ years of experience. Compensation will be based on experience and skill level.

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