Specialized 3D Character Artist

As a Specialized 3D Character Artist at Keywords Studios, you will focus on designing, sculpting, grooming, and texturing high-quality hair assets for game characters. Collaborating with character artists and animators is essential to integrate these assets seamlessly into our production pipeline. You will also optimize hair assets for real-time rendering and implement realistic physics-based hair movement, ensuring that every detail aligns with the artistic vision and technical needs of the project.

Keywords Studios requires candidates for the Specialized 3D Character Artist position to have a minimum of 2 years of experience in head and hair modeling, grooming, and texturing. Candidates should be proficient in industry-standard software such as Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter, with a keen understanding of real-time hair workflows. Artistic skills in anatomy, form, texture, and color theory are essential for success in this role.

The ideal Specialized 3D Character Artist at Keywords Studios should be proficient in software such as Maya or Blender, ZBrush, XGen, Photoshop CC, Substance Painter, and game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity. This expertise is crucial for effectively designing and optimizing hair assets that meet the demanded quality standards of modern gaming.

Yes, having experience in AAA game development is considered a preferred qualification for the Specialized 3D Character Artist role at Keywords Studios. This experience is valuable as it enhances your understanding of high-quality asset creation and aligns you with the kind of projects you will be contributing to in our globally recognized studio.

Specialized 3D Character Artists at Keywords Studios enjoy a range of benefits, including competitive salaries, performance-based bonuses, and the option for remote work. Additionally, employees receive generous paid time off, including 26 annual leave days and holiday breaks. The company also provides term and personal accidental insurance, mental wellness programs, and further educational assistance to support your career growth.

When answering this question, outline your workflow starting from concept development to the final grooming stages. Discuss the software you use, any specific techniques for texturing and styling, and how you ensure the hair integrates well with character models. Mention collaboration with team members to align artistic and technical demands.

In your response, describe your approach to optimizing hair assets for performance in engines like Unreal Engine and Unity. Emphasize methods you use to balance quality and efficiency, such as reducing polygon count, using texture maps effectively, and creating LODs.

Explain that you make a conscious effort to stay informed by following industry publications, engaging in online communities, attending workshops, and practicing new techniques regularly. Highlight experiences where learning new tools or methods positively impacted your projects.

Share specific challenges you encountered, such as technical limitations, achieving realism, or balancing aesthetics with performance. Emphasize your problem-solving skills, how you sought solutions, and any innovative approaches you took to overcome these hurdles.

Provide a situation where you worked with another artist or department, illustrating how you communicated your vision and requirements. Discuss how this collaboration led to a successful outcome and improved the overall quality of the game character.

Discuss your hands-on experience with physics-based simulations in hair assets, detailing the techniques and software you've used. Explain how you ensure realistic hair movement and its impact on character animation.

Talk about the importance of attention to detail, unique features, and personality conveyance through character design. Discuss your artistic approach to creating memorable character models and how hair plays a significant role in their identity.

Detail your systematic approach to identifying and resolving issues, from testing assets in the game engine to checking compatibility with other team members’ work. Share an example where you successfully navigated a technical challenge.

When responding to this, focus on your passion for gaming, admiration for Keywords Studios' projects, and how your skills align with the company's vision. Describe what excites you about the possibility of contributing to their team and projects.

Mention specific artists, styles, or cultural elements that inspire your work. Explain how these influences shape your design choices and add depth to the hair assets you create, tying it back to your vision as a Specialized 3D Character Artist.