Graduate Character Artist

Frontier is an independent video game developer and publisher, crafting immersive gaming experiences with fun gameplay and unparalleled artistic quality. Renowned for its iconic creative management simulation games, Frontier captivates players worldwide with immersive and authentic game worlds. The modern studio is located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK). The talented team at Frontier are dedicated to nurturing our existing portfolio and delivering our exciting future roadmap.

This role is offered on a full in-studio basis or a hybrid basis (minimum 3 days per week in the studio). We can provide a comprehensive relocation support package as part of any offer, should you need to relocate. We welcome applications from all, however please note that this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We’re looking for a Graduate Character Artist to join our team. As a company we produce a wide spectrum of subject matter from stunningly photorealistic animals to beautifully stylised characters, so populating our games is always a rewarding experience. As a Graduate Character Artist in our world-class team, you will be building the cast for the next generation of Frontier games. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to our ambitious future roadmap of games.

• Creating game-ready 3D models and textures using Maya, ZBrush and Substance Painter.
• Collaborating with fellow Character Artists to maintain the highest quality throughout development, delivering models on budget, on time and in the appropriate art style.
• Bringing a new perspective, and where appropriate, suggesting potential improvements to existing pipelines.
• Actively participating in team meetings and contributing to the overall development process.
• Demonstrated expertise in anatomical and organic sculpting from reference, with a portfolio showcasing work across both stylised and realistic art styles.
• Ability to work collaboratively and take on feedback and guidance from the rest of the team.
• Experience with translating 2D concepts or reference into 3D Character models. Making artistic decisions to troubleshoot the transformative process and refine the final 3D design.
• Ability to adapt to and work within established art styles, ensuring consistency with the concept art.
• An exceptional level of character modelling in ZBrush.
• Extensive knowledge of preferred 3D packages such as Maya.
• Excellent Substance Painter texturing skills and hand painting.
• Familiarity with the entire real-time character pipeline from high-poly sculpting, retopology, UV mapping, baking, texture creation and ending in the setup and exporting of assets to game.
• An awareness of the importance of efficient UV layouts and mesh topology, to ensure that character models are optimised for performance, budgets and deform well when animated.
• Experience with PBR materials and real-time engines.
• An understanding of development pipelines, including how your work will be used in dependent disciplines.
• Excellent communication skills are essential.
• Solid foundational art skills such as 2D drawing.
• An Art degree or relevant game art course.
• Genuine passion for sculpting creatures.

You will work with talented and passionate people to support, develop or publish our sophisticated and enduring games, in a creative, collaborative and inclusive environment. We love what we do, and we work hard to provide outstanding experiences for our players. Wellbeing is a big focus at Frontier, and we are continually evolving how we can support our people. We encourage a healthy work/life balance and provide a range of wellbeing activities, initiatives and sessions to support both mental and physical health.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a success-based annual bonus, share option schemes, life assurance, private family healthcare, flexitime working hours, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, in-house subsidised catering, support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, free bike servicing, and social activities and events.

We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully demonstrate their capability and potential. If you therefore need any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition representative.

We would love to see a great portfolio with all of your best work. Make sure that the work in your portfolio is a true reflection of your abilities – be it art, iconography, clever solutions to tricky design issues or code examples to solve complex issues. When showing work, make sure it is clear to see what your personal involvement was. At the end of the day, we are hiring you, not your team.