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Character Artist

At Velan Studios, we foster a culture of curiosity. Our games embrace diversity and are fueled by the adventurous spirit of our team. We are the creative minds behind titles like Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, Knockout City, Hot Wheels Rift Rally, Bounce Arcade, and Midnight Murder Club, with multiple new projects in the works! Our studio's mission is to pioneer groundbreaking gaming experiences and reimagine play in new ways. We're committed to pushing the boundaries of traditional gaming, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, and revolutionizing the industry one game at a time.

We’re looking for a skilled Character Artist to bring our games to life!

Responsibilities

  • Create high quality character assets such as faces, hair, outfits, and props
  • Collaborate with Art Director and Leads to ensure assets are high-quality and support the artistic vision for the project.
  • Work closely with other teams such as concept, animation, and design to make sure characters are built to meet specifications
  • Work from loose concepts and use your creativity to polish designs or generate new ideas by reusing parts from other characters
  • Setup basic rigs and skinning for your characters
  • Help establish processes and pipelines for the project
  • Assist production and leads with reviewing schedules, providing estimates, and completing tasks on time.
  • Stay up on current trends and techniques in the industry to help push quality and speed on the character art team.

  • Experience with stylized character art in a production environment
  • 5+ years of industry experience as a Character Artist, or other relevant experience.
  • Expertise in modeling, sculpting, topology, and texturing and material work for characters.
  • Ability to create high-quality characters based on existing concept art in addition to working with the animation team with the goal of creating high quality, expressive characters.
  • Solid understanding of modern pbr material authoring techniques
  • Basic working knowledge of rigging and skinning
  • Advanced understanding of ZBrush, Maya, Adobe Photoshop, Substance Painter and/or other game production tools.
  • Experience working in Unreal, Unity or other AAA Game Development Engines
  • Strong communication and organizational skills.
  • Self-direction, passion, and creativity in your work.
  • A receptiveness to feedback and the ability to act successfully on direct critique.

Bonus Points

  • Concept and creative ideation (2D or 3D).
  • Experience with character customization pipelines
  • Rigging, skinning, and animation experience.
  • Leadership and/or mentoring experience.

We're thrilled that you're considering joining our team. We want to let you know that candidates who can work onsite in our Troy, NY studio are highly preferred. We believe that working together in person can foster better collaboration and creativity, and we're excited about the opportunity to have you right here with us. Velan Studios is made up of a team of remote, hybrid, and onsite employees, with hybrid and onsite team members operating from our Troy, NY office.

The salary for this position is typically within the range specified below* per year. Please note that the actual base pay may vary based on factors such as your qualifications, skills, experience, and other relevant considerations. In addition to your salary, our comprehensive compensation package includes various perks, such as potential annual bonuses (though they are not guaranteed), health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and flexible time-off benefits.

*salary range: $80k - $120k annually

Velan Studios is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about a role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to submit a General Application. Velan Studios is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion, diversity, and providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We seek to create a work culture that matches the diversity of our players.

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Average salary estimate

$100000 / YEARLY (est.)
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$80000K
$120000K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Character Artist, Velan Studios

At Velan Studios, we are on the lookout for a talented Character Artist to join our passionate team! Known for our innovative titles such as Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit and Knockout City, we’re dedicated to pushing the boundaries of gaming by creating unique experiences that resonate with players. As a Character Artist, you'll have the opportunity to bring our characters to life, from crafting intricate faces and hairstyles to designing outfits and ensuring every prop fits perfectly within our creative vision. Collaboration is key here; you’ll work closely with our Art Director and various teams to seamlessly align with project specifications while also injecting your own creativity into designs. We believe in fostering a culture of curiosity and creativity, allowing you to not only polish existing concepts but also reimagine and innovate. If you’ve got over five years of experience in the industry, a knack for modeling and texturing, and are excited about the chance to shape character art in the gaming world, we’d love to hear from you! We’re also keen on candidates who can work onsite at our Troy, NY studio, as we believe that collaboration thrives best when we’re all together. Join us and take part in redefining the future of play as a key member of the Velan Studios’ family!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Character Artist Role at Velan Studios
What responsibilities does a Character Artist have at Velan Studios?

As a Character Artist at Velan Studios, you will be responsible for creating high-quality character assets, including faces, hair, outfits, and props, while collaborating closely with Art Directors and Leads to ensure these assets support the project's artistic vision. You’ll also work with various teams, including concept, animation, and design, to ensure characters are built according to specifications, as well as assisting in establishing processes and pipelines for projects.

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What qualifications are needed for the Character Artist position at Velan Studios?

The Character Artist role at Velan Studios requires a minimum of 5 years of industry experience, expertise in modeling, sculpting, and texturing, as well as a strong foundation in using tools like ZBrush, Maya, and Substance Painter. Candidates should also have a basic working knowledge of rigging and skinning, with a passion for creativity and the ability to take feedback constructively.

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What is the expected salary range for a Character Artist at Velan Studios?

The salary range for the Character Artist position at Velan Studios typically falls between $80k and $120k annually. This can vary depending on your qualifications, experience, and skills. In addition to salary, our comprehensive package includes benefits such as health insurance, retirement savings plans, and flexible time-off options.

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Is prior experience in game development crucial for a Character Artist at Velan Studios?

Yes, prior experience in game development is crucial for a Character Artist position at Velan Studios. We are looking for candidates with at least 5 years of experience in the industry, particularly those who have a solid understanding of character creation processes within AAA Game Development Engines like Unreal or Unity.

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What is the significance of working onsite at Velan Studios for Character Artists?

Working onsite at Velan Studios is highly preferred for Character Artists because it fosters better collaboration and creativity among team members. The dynamic of sharing ideas and feedback in person enhances the creative process, ultimately leading to more innovative and high-quality outputs in our gaming projects.

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Common Interview Questions for Character Artist
Can you describe your process for creating a character from concept to final design?

In answering this question, be sure to outline your workflow, emphasizing your ability to interpret concept art, create assets, and collaborate with animators and designers. Discuss tools you use, like ZBrush or Maya, and any unique techniques you might employ that set your character designs apart.

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What are the most important aspects to consider when texturing character assets?

When discussing texturing, mention key considerations such as realism, the character's style, and how the textures complement the overall design. Highlight your understanding of PBR material authoring techniques and your approach to ensuring that textures contribute to the character's personality and story.

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How do you handle feedback on your character designs?

Explain your receptiveness to feedback and how you view it as an opportunity to improve. Share a specific example where you successfully incorporated critique into your work, resulting in a better final product, which demonstrates your adaptability and collaborative spirit.

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What techniques do you use for rigging and skinning characters?

List preferred techniques and tools used for rigging and skinning, such as specific practices in Maya and how you ensure the character's range of motion post-animation. Mention any complex rigs you’ve worked on and your approach to problem-solving in this area.

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How do you stay updated with current trends in character art and game development?

Discuss methods such as following industry blogs, participating in online forums, and attending Webinars or workshops. Sharing how you apply new trends or techniques learned to your work will illustrate your commitment to growth and staying relevant as a Character Artist.

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Can you give an example of a challenging character design problem you solved?

Provide a specific challenge and detail your thought process in addressing it. This could involve design constraints, technology limitations, or time pressures. Be sure to focus on your problem-solving skills and creativity in finding solutions.

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What role does collaboration play in the character creation process?

In your response, highlight the importance of working closely with other teams, such as animation and design. Discuss how collaboration leads to more coherent character designs and enhances the production process. Share any personal experiences that underscore the value of teamwork.

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Describe a time when your character design was particularly well-received.

Select a project where your character design stood out and discuss the feedback you received. Detailing how you achieved that success, including concept, production, and reception, will help you convey your design philosophy and ability to resonate with both team members and the audience.

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What do you consider when developing characters for different game genres?

Describe how you tailor your designs based on the genre of the game. Discuss elements like tone, audience engagement, and visual style, clarifying how character design needs to align with the narrative and mechanics of the game at Velan Studios.

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How important is it to incorporate player feedback into character design?

Elaborate on the significance of player feedback for refining character designs. Describe how player insights can influence not only aesthetics but also gameplay, enhancing the overall gaming experience at Velan Studios.

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DATE POSTED
April 16, 2025

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