Character Artist - Contract

Character Artist - Contract

Royal Leamington Spa Freelance 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Create stunning game characters and collaborate with talented teams.
  • Company: Join Playground Games, a leading Xbox Game Studio known for the Forza Horizon franchise.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, relocation assistance, and a supportive work environment.
  • Why this job: Be part of a diverse team creating award-winning games that are fun and accessible.
  • Qualifications: Proficiency in 3D software and a passion for video games and modern fashion required.
  • Other info: We celebrate diversity and inclusion, ensuring everyone feels welcome and valued.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Playground Games is looking for a Character Artist to join our talented Forza Horizon team here in Leamington Spa on a contract basis.

As a premier first-party Xbox Game Studio, we are passionate about making genre-defining games that are accessible, beautiful, and most of all, fun. We are looking to expand our diverse team as we continue driving forward our BAFTA award-winning Forza Horizon franchise.

As a Character Artist you will work closely with the Character teams to deliver high quality game characters, as well as providing feedback and documentation to outsource partners. Our ideal candidate is a highly skilled artist who is passionate about their craft, proficient in sculpting human anatomies and realistic clothing, and can communicate efficiently with others.

This is a contract role based at our state-of-the-art facilities in Royal Leamington Spa. We have a hybrid work model in place with a minimum of 3 days a week in studio. Relocation assistance is available if required.

What you’ll do:

  • Creation of realistic sculpting, retopology and texturing, as well as assets briefs for body, face, hair and garments
  • Integration of character assets in engine, troubleshoot rendering and shader issues and balance textures
  • Collaborate closely with the Character, Tech Art, Tech Animation and Animation Teams to define pipelines and workflows whilst maintaining their documentation
  • Provide feedback to our outsource partners

What you’ll bring:

  • An interest in modern fashion
  • A self-motivated team player attitude with good communication skills
  • A passion for video games
  • Proficiency in 3DSMax, Maya, Marvelous Designer, ZBrush, Wrap3D and Substance Painter
  • Understanding and demonstration of human anatomy and proportions
  • A good understanding of technical considerations for character creation, with the ability to communicate with technical team members

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a world-class game with an established, talented, and collaborative team at one of the industry’s most exciting first-party game studios.

Playground Games is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity and inclusion fuels creativity. We are dedicated to creating a safe, comfortable and welcoming working environment. We strive to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices of our team members. It drives our innovation and connects us closer to our players. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion across age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

At Playground Games we recognise the importance of self-development, career progression, well-being and retention of our colleagues. We celebrate difference and welcome everyone to join us and to be themselves at work.

If you require any reasonable accommodation to apply for this position, please contact us on recruitment@playground-games.com

Character Artist - Contract employer: Playground Games Limited

Playground Games is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture in the heart of Leamington Spa. As a premier Xbox Game Studio, we provide our Character Artists with opportunities for professional growth while working on the BAFTA award-winning Forza Horizon franchise. With a commitment to diversity, equity, and employee well-being, we ensure that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique talents.
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Contact Detail:

Playground Games Limited Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Character Artist - Contract

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Playground Games' previous titles, especially the Forza Horizon series. Understanding their art style and character design will help you tailor your portfolio to showcase relevant skills and align with their vision.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of Playground Games on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Character Artist role.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare a demo reel that highlights your proficiency in the required software such as ZBrush and Substance Painter. Focus on showcasing your best work related to human anatomy and realistic clothing to demonstrate your fit for the role.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay updated on industry trends, particularly in character design and modern fashion. This knowledge can help you during interviews, allowing you to discuss how current trends can influence character creation in games.

We think you need these skills to ace Character Artist - Contract

Proficiency in 3DSMax
Proficiency in Maya
Proficiency in Marvelous Designer
Proficiency in ZBrush
Proficiency in Wrap3D
Proficiency in Substance Painter
Strong understanding of human anatomy and proportions
Experience in sculpting and retopology
Texturing skills for realistic character creation
Ability to integrate character assets in game engines
Troubleshooting rendering and shader issues
Good communication skills
Team collaboration skills
Understanding of technical considerations for character creation
Interest in modern fashion

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience and skills relevant to character art. Focus on your proficiency in tools like 3DSMax, Maya, and ZBrush, and include any specific projects that showcase your ability to create realistic characters.

Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for video games and the Forza Horizon franchise. Mention your understanding of human anatomy and your collaborative spirit, as these are key traits they are looking for.

Showcase Your Portfolio: Include a link to your portfolio that demonstrates your best work in character design. Make sure it features a variety of styles and techniques, especially those that align with the job description, such as realistic sculpting and texturing.

Follow Up: After submitting your application, consider sending a polite follow-up email to express your continued interest in the position. This can help keep you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Playground Games Limited

✨Showcase Your Portfolio

Make sure to bring a well-organised portfolio that highlights your best character art. Include a variety of works that demonstrate your skills in sculpting, texturing, and understanding of human anatomy. Be prepared to discuss your creative process and the techniques you used.

✨Understand the Company Culture

Familiarise yourself with Playground Games' values and their approach to diversity and inclusion. Show that you align with their mission by discussing how you can contribute to a collaborative and innovative environment.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect questions about your proficiency in software like 3DSMax, Maya, and ZBrush. Brush up on your technical knowledge regarding character creation and be ready to explain how you would troubleshoot common issues in rendering and shaders.

✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration Skills

Since the role involves working closely with various teams, be prepared to share examples of past collaborations. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve successfully worked with others to achieve a common goal.

Character Artist - Contract
Playground Games Limited
Location: Royal Leamington Spa
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