80 Level Job Digest: Apply to Work with Best Game Companies

Requirements:

• Strong knowledge of writing tools in Unity, Maya, and Blender.
• Strong knowledge in building shaders and VFX in and for Unity using Shader Graph.
• Good understanding of the technical implementation of customizable systems like character customization and weapon skins.
• Experience in a full digital art content creation pipeline (high and low-poly modeling, unwrapping, baking, texturing, level art).
• Experience in at least 3 mobile game titles as a Tech Artist.
• Ability to optimize art in engine and the art pipeline, and create tools to automate manual processes
• Nice to have: Knowledge of HLSL. 

Requirements:

• A minimum of 8+ years of experience as an art director, senior concept artist, or lead artist on AAA console/PC projects (mobile game experience is a huge plus).
• Ability to hold the vision of the game across multiple elements like Environment art, Characters, VFX, UI, Animation styles and Marketing art.
• Strong understanding of game engines (Unreal/Unity), and proficiency with industry-standard creative tools (Maya, Photoshop, Substance 3D, etc.).
• Experience guiding concept artists to create visuals that enhance player experience and readability.
• Strong collaboration skills to work closely with game designers, ensuring art direction aligns with mechanics and level design.
• Experience in creating or overseeing concept art for games, with a focus on functional, gameplay-driven design.
• Strong understanding of visual storytelling, color theory, lighting, and composition.
• Strong understanding of game design principles and how art impacts gameplay.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to provide clear feedback and inspire creativity across teams.
• Experience managing art production pipelines and delivery of high-quality assets.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of professional game development experience with at least 1 shipped title.
• Expert-level knowledge of industry-standard software, tools, and pipelines (e.g., 3DS Max, Maya, ZBrush, Substance 3D Suite, Marvelous Designer).
• Strong proficiency in first- and third-person asset creation.
• A portfolio showcasing realistic characters and heads in-game.
• Proven experience creating clean, efficient models with accurate UVs and textures.
• Skilled in PBR texture creation and understanding material processes.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to provide insightful feedback and collaborate effectively with other disciplines.
• In-depth understanding of character design, including silhouette, form, function, and purpose.
• Ability to manage deadlines, prioritize tasks, and stay self-motivated.
• Ability to work regularly in-person at our studio in Madison, WI.

Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience as a UI Artist in game development, with a portfolio that demonstrates shipped AAA titles or highly polished work in a senior role
• Confirmed experience developing and maintaining UI style guides or art bibles.
• Strong visual design fundamentals in typography, layout, iconography, and motion.
• Ability to deliver high-quality, functional UI that’s cohesive with the game’s world and narrative.
• Self-starter with excellent communication skills and a collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach
• Experience coordinating or providing feedback for external artists or outsource partners is a plus.
• Proficiency with industry-standard design and animation tools (Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, After Effects).
• Familiarity with game engines (Unreal, Unity, or equivalent) and implementation workflows.

Artistic and Technical Responsibilities: 

• Produce high-quality 2D assets and textures.
• Performing graphical work assigned by producers, delegate work to your team members.

Contribution in Management:

• Help supervisors with training work shop and seminars and to share knowledge and experiences.
• Possess a library of 2D references to use and to share with the art team.
• Foresee future mistakes and prevent them from happening.
• Produce, check and update 2D documentation.

Who Will Be A Great Fit:

• 5+ years in the games, film, or animation industries.
• Proficiency with C#/C++.
• Fluent in Maya with significant experience writing animation, rigging, shaders and UI tools.
• Experience with cloth and rigid/soft body physics setup for characters, including collision volumes.
• Conversant in Python, and familiarity with MEL Script/Maya API experience.
• Experience with: Maya, Substance Painter/Designer, Photoshop, Perforce, and Confluence.
• Experience researching, piloting, and rolling out new techniques.
• Interest in gaming platform limitations and advantages.
• Ability to turn creative aspirations into achievable realities.

Requirements: 

• Over 3 years of experience in game or film background production using DCC tools such as Maya.
• Over 3 years of experience in the game or film industry.

Welcome Conditions:

• Experience in managing schedules and quality, and negotiations with outsourced companies.
• Experience as a project leader, or a track record that suggests such qualifications.
• Ability to handle a variety of projects.
• Flexible thinking.
• Highly motivated for high-end graphics.
• Want to create and distribute new content to the world.
• Experience in game level design (map, stage design).