Rigger (Senior)

As a Senior Rigger at Ubisoft, your primary responsibilities include collaborating with the art team to understand the game vision, rigging and skinning characters and objects, and ensuring a high-quality blend of artistic elements with technical constraints. You will work closely with animators to make character movements believable and iterate on your work based on team feedback.

To apply for the Senior Rigger position at Ubisoft, you should have a minimum of 4-5 years of experience in video game rigging, modeling, or animation. A strong knowledge of 3D software like 3DS Max, Maya, or MotionBuilder, along with a solid understanding of anatomy and cloth is essential. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal is a plus.

Collaboration is key for a Senior Rigger at Ubisoft. You’ll work closely with the art team, character modelers, and animators to align on rigging and skinning requirements and troubleshoot any challenges that arise. This collective approach ensures that the characters and objects move naturally and align with the game’s artistic vision.

The most important skills for a Senior Rigger at Ubisoft include excellent observation and problem-solving abilities, strong organization, and effective communication skills. A collaborative spirit, creativity, and flexibility are vital, along with the motivation to seek feedback and adapt your work.

At Ubisoft, the work environment for a Senior Rigger is dynamic and supportive. You'll be part of a hybrid model that combines in-person collaboration with remote work, allowing for a balance that fosters creativity and teamwork. Plus, the company values diverse perspectives, enriching the overall gaming experience.

Certainly! My rigging process first involves thoroughly understanding the character requirements and the artistic vision from the art team. I scout for reference materials and concept art, then proceed to model the rig, ensuring flexibility and functionality while keeping the structure organized and clean.

To ensure my rigs are user-friendly for animators, I communicate closely with them to gather their input during the development phase. I create intuitive controls that support their animation needs, and I incorporate their feedback after testing the rig to make adjustments that enhance usability.

One challenge I often face is balancing the artistic vision with technical constraints. To overcome this, I leverage strong problem-solving skills and collaborate with technical directors to ensure the rig meets both the aesthetic needs and the functional requirements. Open communication is key to resolving these challenges.

In one project, I developed a library of reusable rig components, which significantly sped up the rigging process for multiple characters. By streamlining the rigging workflow and standardizing naming conventions, I improved efficiency while maintaining high-quality results.

I prefer using Maya for rigging due to its robust toolset and versatility. Its powerful modeling and animation features make it ideal for creating intricate rigs, and I find that it allows for great creativity while also being efficient for technical tasks.

I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. When I receive feedback on my rigs, I analyze it thoroughly and prioritize the aspects that need adjustments. I then implement the changes and often follow up with the team for further input to ensure satisfaction.

In character skinning, I focus on aligning the weight paints with the character's anatomy for natural movement. I adjust the skin influences based on the character’s motion range while continually testing the rig in various poses to identify and resolve any issues.

I regularly engage with online communities, partake in courses, and attend workshops focused on rigging and animation. Staying connected with industry experts and participating in forums helps me understand emerging trends and best practices.

When rigging a character with complex cloth simulations, I first analyze how the cloth interacts with the character's movements. I then create a rig that accommodates the fabric’s behavior, ensuring that skinning weights support the cloth dynamics, and work collaboratively with animators to test and adjust.

My motivation stems from my passion for storytelling and creativity. Working in the gaming industry as a Rigger allows me to play a critical role in bringing fantastical worlds and characters to life, which directly impacts player engagement and experience. It's incredibly rewarding!