Senior Character Artist

Our client, a celebrated studio renowned for its distinctive character designs, is seeking an accomplished Senior Character Artist to join their team in Centurion . This role is integral to bringing unique and memorable characters to life for their upcoming flagship title. You will be responsible for the complete character art pipeline, from high-polygon sculpting and detailed texturing to optimizing assets for real-time rendering within the game engine.

The ideal candidate possesses exceptional artistic talent, a meticulous eye for anatomy and form, and a deep understanding of character creation workflows and tools. Join our collaborative environment in Gauteng and shape the visual identity of our game's cast.

• Sculpt high-polygon characters using ZBrush or similar software, focusing on anatomy, detail, and artistic style.
• Create high-quality P  textures and materials for characters, ensuring they align with the project's art direction.
• Retopologize sculpted models into efficient low-polygon meshes suitable for real-time performance.
• UV map and bake normal maps, ambient occlusion, and other necessary maps from high-poly to low-poly models.
• Rig characters for animation, ensuring proper deformation and functionality.
• Implement character assets into the game engine (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity), including material setup and lighting.
• Collaborate closely with concept artists, animators, and technical artists to achieve desired character visuals and functionality.
• Stay updated on the latest character art techniques, software, and industry trends.
• Mentor junior character artists, providing feedback and guidance on artistic and technical execution.

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in character art for video games or related fields.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional character models, texturing, and presentation across various styles.
• Proficiency in 3D sculpting software (e.g., ZBrush), modeling software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max), and texturing tools (e.g., Substance Painter, Photoshop).
• Experience with game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity, including asset implementation and material workflows.
• Solid understanding of human and creature anatomy, form, and proportion.
• Knowledge of rigging and skinning principles is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to receive and incorporate feedback effectively.
• Ability to work independently and manage time efficiently to meet project deadlines.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Digital Art, Game Design, or equivalent professional experience.

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, performance-based bonuses, and excellent opportunities for career progression.
• You will work in a creative and collaborative studio in Centurion , equipped with industry-leading tools and technology.
• Benefits include generous paid time off, retirement planning support, and engaging team activities.