**About the Role**
We are seeking a skilled Benchmark Character Artist to join our team. As a key member of our art department, you will play a crucial role in setting quality standards for external partners and creating benchmark assets that inspire and define visual character quality for various game projects.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with artistic expertise, clear communication skills, and the ability to provide constructive feedback to ensure that outsourcing efforts align perfectly with project vision and standards.
Key Responsibilities:
* Oversee and help create high-quality benchmark assets that serve as a standard for external vendors.
* Assist in delivering models on time, within budget, and in the appropriate art style.
* Actively participate in team meetings and contribute to the overall development process.
* Cultivate strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners to promote excellence.
* Facilitate clear and efficient channels of communication between vendors and our in-house Character Artists.
* Estimate asset requirements accurately, including geometry, texture, and time allocations for outsourced work.
* Draft detailed briefs, specifications, and outsource packages to guide external vendors.
* Deliver comprehensive and consistent asset feedback to ensure alignment with project goals.
About You:
To succeed in this role, you will need:
* Previous industry experience with a track record of exceptional art creation.
* Good coordination skills with exceptional verbal and written communication, and the ability to share a vision by creating clear briefs for work and providing realistic estimates for each task.
* 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.
* Proven ability across all aspects of character modelling, including anatomical, cloth, and hard-surface modelling.
* Proficiency in 3D industry-standard software like Zbrush, Maya/Max, or Blender (Maya preferred).
* Familiarity with the entire real-time character creation pipeline: high-poly sculpting, retopology, UV mapping, texture baking, texture creation, setting up, and exporting to game.
* Awareness of the importance of mesh topology to ensure that character models deform well when animated.
* An adaptable attitude to working across a breadth of art styles, from high-detail realism to cartoon stylization.
We Offer:
You will work with talented and passionate people to support, develop, or publish sophisticated and enduring games in a creative, collaborative, and inclusive environment. We prioritize employee wellbeing and offer a range of activities, initiatives, and sessions to support both mental and physical health.
We provide a competitive salary and benefits package, including 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.
If you need any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition representative.