Environment Artist (Contract)

Join the award-winning team that createdGod of War

Come join the award-winning team at Sony Santa Monica Studio as an Environment Artist! This is an opportunity to contribute to the artistic vision and development of a product with a specialized focus on creating environments and level assets.

As an Environment Artist, you will effectively collaborate with a wide range of development team members outside of their direct discipline, such as the Art Director, Designers, Technical Artists, Animators, Programmers and Producers, to optimally achieve artistic goals and implementation as they relate to design and technological considerations.

Responsibilities

• Content creation, including 3D modeling/sculpting, 2D texture map painting, material setup/UV layout, and LOD creation according to defined quality standards, artistic styles, conceptual designs, development pipelines, technical parameters and production goals
• Skilled in level art workflow, including assembly, set dressing, and asset composition across levels
• Ability to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the art production pipeline and all engine features, tools and systems associated with the creation of art assets
• Maintain artistic goals and vision through all phases of the game development cycle from pre-production through final product release - this entails ensuring environment/level assets are of the highest artistic quality and upholding the integrity of the game's design and artistic vision of the game
• Maintain a strong knowledge of the games design to support communication and enable early identification of issues, as well as help drive participation in discussions
• Facilitate requests or info needs regarding any aspect of the environment/level art creation process as needed
• Actively improve skill set and abilities by keeping aware of industry trends and techniques, evaluating competitive products, learning new software packages and traditional art methods
• Use time management and prioritization skills to collaborate with the Production group to develop task lists that ensure assignments are progressing in alignment with schedules, milestones and overall project goals
• Clearly communicate updates and properly escalate concerns to the appropriate team member(s) and manager(s)

Requirements

• Minimum three years' industry experience or related experience
• Strong traditional fine art skills, training, and production experience (illustration, painting, organic forms, color theory, perspective, 2D & 3D design)
• Proficient in the use of Maya, Zbrush, Substance Designer, and Substance Painter
• Familiarity with video game product development including, but not limited to workflow, tools, lighting, high and low poly modeling, texture painting, particle systems, UV layout, in-game animation, material setup, layout, SFX and engine parameters/optimizations
• Excellent communication, organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills
• Works under minimal direction to determine and develop approach to solutions
• B.A. in fine arts or relevant curriculum or equivalent skillset

Preferred Experience

• One or more published titles are considered a strength
• Previous or next-gen video game platform experience

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