Technical Artist (Freelance)

As a Technical Artist at Local Projects, you will play a crucial role in designing interactive media for permanent exhibition projects. You will use your knowledge and experience of game engine production (Unity and/or Unreal) and your 3D art generalist skills to create technical art packages that inform and describe the 3D artwork pipeline from concept through production for interactive and linear media. You will specialize in working with an art director to transform a design intent from a concept to a buildable “game-ready” design through creating concept art, 3D modeling, texturing, rigging, and animation. You will actualize these designs through in-engine look development and prototyping, authoring materials, shaders, and visual effects. This role also involves working with software development teams to design custom software and collaborate on integrating the art assets and pipeline. This role requires working with creative and production teams across a project’s lifecycle, contributing to the creative ideation process in concept phases to detailing every aspect of the 3D art to the delivery pipeline through producing assets in production.

• Must be able to work on-site in our NYC Studio / Flexible Hybrid 
• Must be eligible to work in the United States
• Must hold a primary residence in one of these states: NY/NJ/CT/DC/VA/MD 

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Designing concept art for 3D assets, including characters, creatures, and environments
• Performing look development in-engine, including authoring models, materials, shaders, environments, and lighting (in collaboration with creative technologists)
• Modeling 3D art assets for integration into a game engine
• Texture mapping 3D models and developing texture sets for both stylized and physically based rendering (PBR) approaches, including unique texture-based visual effects
• Rigging and animation for prototyping and specifying animation and character motion
• Designing and authoring visual effects systems in-engine (in collaboration with creative technologists)
• Optimization techniques for making 3D art (characters, environments, etc.) “game ready” for use in-engine
• Producing production-ready 3D art assets for integration into production software
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to interactive media and 3D art assets
• Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies in technical art for game engines
• Performing research and technical demos of new technologies 

Skills: 

• Proficient in authoring 3D assets and integrating them into game engine(s) (Unity, Unreal, etc)
• Proficient in UVuv texturing and texture authoring (Substance, etc.) 
• Familiar with rigging models for animation, animating and exporting animations for integration into game engines
• Familiar with authoring visual effects, including flipbooks/sprite sheets and procedural graphics (particle systems a plus)
• Proficient in 3D modelling with industry-standard tool(s) (Maya, Blender, C4D, etc)
• Experience in other motion design pipelines of work (After Effects, C4D/Redshift), a plus
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot technical issues
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Detail-oriented with a keen eye for quality and creativity
• Knowledge of programming languages is a plus
• Knowledge of photogrammetry is a plus

Qualifications:

• Degree in Digital Arts, Motion Graphics, Game Design, Animation, or a related field
• Experience designing and developing interactive media for exhibitions, with a strong understanding of its application in visitor engagement.

Hourly Rate: $75.00 to $100.00 (Commensurate with Experience)

Local Projects offers to its Full-Time staff Health/Dental/Vision, FSA, 401k, access to short-term and Long Term Disability Insurance and Life Insurance, as well as a generous PTO package.

Local Projects is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce where everyone is valued and respected. A range of perspectives strengthens our collaboration and enhances the experiences we create together.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including those from historically underrepresented communities, as we strive to ensure our workplace reflects a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Local Projects is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, citizenship, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics.