Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Visual Artist

💰 $55,000 - $115,000

ArtDesignCreativeGamingMedia

🎯 Role Definition

As a Visual Artist, you are the creative engine behind our projects' aesthetic and appeal. You will be a key player in a multidisciplinary team, responsible for conceptualizing and crafting stunning visual assets that define the look and feel of our products. From initial sketches to final, polished 3D models and 2D illustrations, your work will directly influence the user experience and bring our worlds to life. We're seeking a storyteller who communicates through art, someone who can blend technical skill with creative vision to produce compelling and immersive visuals. This role is perfect for a proactive and collaborative artist eager to make a significant impact in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Artist / Associate Artist
  • Graphic Design Intern or Junior Designer
  • Freelance Illustrator / Concept Artist

Advancement To:

  • Senior Visual Artist
  • Lead Artist / Principal Artist
  • Art Director

Lateral Moves:

  • Motion Graphics Designer
  • UI/UX Designer
  • Technical Artist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conceptualize, design, and create a wide range of high-quality 2D and 3D visual assets, including characters, environments, props, textures, and special effects, from initial sketch to final implementation.
  • Collaborate closely with Art Directors and creative leads to establish, define, and maintain the project's visual style, ensuring consistency and artistic excellence across all assets.
  • Develop detailed concept art, mood boards, storyboards, and color scripts to effectively communicate visual ideas and guide the production pipeline.
  • Translate abstract concepts and design requirements into compelling visual narratives and tangible artistic elements that enhance the user experience.
  • Iterate on artwork based on constructive feedback from team members, playtests, and performance metrics, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to quality.
  • Create production-ready assets that are optimized for performance, adhering to technical specifications and engine constraints without sacrificing artistic integrity.
  • Produce compelling marketing and promotional materials, including key art, social media graphics, and digital illustrations, to support product launches and campaigns.
  • Work within a multidisciplinary team, including designers, engineers, and producers, to solve creative and technical challenges throughout the development lifecycle.
  • Stay current with the latest industry trends, tools, and techniques in visual arts and digital content creation to continuously elevate the quality of your work.
  • Manage and maintain a well-organized asset library, employing clear file naming conventions and version control to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow.
  • Create and texture high-poly and low-poly 3D models of characters, props, and environments, demonstrating a strong understanding of form, silhouette, and topology.
  • Develop and implement lighting schemes that enhance mood, guide the player's eye, and contribute to the overall aesthetic of the visual experience.
  • Design and craft intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interface (UI) elements, icons, and heads-up displays (HUDs) that align with the overall art direction.
  • Paint high-quality digital textures using tools like Substance Painter and Photoshop, showing proficiency in PBR (Physically Based Rendering) workflows.
  • Participate in art reviews and critique sessions, providing thoughtful, constructive feedback to peers to foster a culture of growth and collaboration.
  • Assist in rigging and skinning 3D character models to prepare them for animation, ensuring they deform correctly and meet animation requirements.
  • Develop visual effects (VFX) for environmental phenomena, character abilities, and UI feedback to add dynamism and polish to the final product.
  • Create and refine art pipeline documentation and style guides to onboard new team members and maintain visual consistency over the project's lifespan.
  • Research visual reference material and conduct creative exploration to inspire and inform new art direction and asset creation.
  • Take ownership of artistic features from conception to final polish, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to the highest quality standards.
  • Prototype and experiment with new visual styles and techniques to drive innovation and push the creative boundaries of our projects.
  • Work with the animation team to ensure that character models and environments support the intended motion and performance goals.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the marketing and community teams with asset creation for social media, blogs, and promotional events.
  • Contribute to creative brainstorming sessions for new projects, features, and intellectual properties.
  • Mentor junior artists and interns, providing guidance, feedback, and support to help them develop their skills.
  • Assist in creating presentation materials for internal and external project pitches and milestone reviews.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects).
  • Strong skills in 3D modeling, sculpting, and texturing using software like Maya, Blender, ZBrush, and Substance Painter.
  • Experience working with real-time game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
  • Exceptional traditional art skills, including drawing, painting, and a deep understanding of composition, color theory, and lighting.
  • Demonstrated ability to create both stylized and realistic art assets.
  • Experience with character rigging and skinning is a plus.
  • Knowledge of particle systems and VFX creation for real-time applications.
  • Ability to create optimized, game-ready assets with an understanding of polygon counts and texture memory.
  • Experience in creating UI/UX elements, iconography, and motion graphics.
  • A strong, diverse portfolio showcasing a range of high-quality 2D and 3D artwork is required.
  • Understanding of PBR (Physically Based Rendering) workflows and material creation.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration in a team environment.
  • A receptive and professional attitude towards receiving, interpreting, and implementing creative feedback.
  • Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
  • Creative problem-solving abilities to overcome artistic and technical hurdles.
  • High degree of self-motivation, proactivity, and a passion for continuous learning and skill improvement.
  • Adaptability to shift priorities and thrive in a fast-paced, iterative development environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree, or equivalent professional experience demonstrated by a strong portfolio.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or Master of Fine Arts (MFA).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Fine Arts / Digital Art
  • Game Design / Game Art
  • Graphic Design
  • Illustration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2-5+ years of professional experience in a related role (e.g., game development, animation, or VFX).

Preferred:

  • Experience shipping at least one commercial title or project is highly desirable.
Explore More Careers