3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)
Side · United States
- Hybrid
- Contract
- $90,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Talent pool for future co-development roles.
- Create high-quality 3D game characters.
- Model, texture, and optimize character assets.
- Collaborate with art, design, and animation.
- 3+ years of game industry experience required.
About the role
About Side
Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years' experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 15+ studios in over a dozen countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets.
About This Opportunity
Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you express interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.These opportunities are contingent on client needs and project availability. As projects are initiated or client proposals are developed, we will review candidates from this pool and contact those who most closely align with the specific requirements of the co-development opportunity.
As a 3D Character Artist, you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring life and personality to our projects. This mid-level generalist role focuses on modeling, texturing, and optimizing character assets across a variety of styles for AAA-quality games on PC, console, mobile, and VR/AR platforms.
How We Keep You Engaged
We maintain strong relationships with our talent pool by providing regular updates, industry insights, and information on upcoming opportunities. We will check in to confirm your availability and interest.Our hiring teams carefully vet and select top candidates who best meet project needs, ensuring that you are matched with the right opportunity when it becomes available.
Next Steps
If you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge projects and want to be considered for future co-development opportunities, we encourage you to apply to this listing. While there may not be an immediate opening, your application ensures that you will be part of our ongoing talent review for upcoming roles.Key Responsibilities
- Create high-quality 3D character assets, including organic and hard surface elements, from concept to final game-ready models.
- Collaborate with art leads, designers, and animators to ensure characters align with the project’s artistic vision and technical requirements.
- Develop textures and materials using industry-standard tools, ensuring assets are optimized for performance across platforms.
- Work within established pipelines and workflows to maintain consistency and efficiency in asset creation.
- Ensure proper topology, rigging, and skinning for characters to meet animation and gameplay requirements.
- Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges related to character development.
- Actively participate in team critiques, offering and receiving feedback to refine assets.
Requirements
Experience:- 3+ years of experience as a Character Artist in the video game industry.
- Demonstrated contribution to at least one shipped title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR.
- Proficiency with ZBrush, Maya, 3ds Max, Substance Painter, Photoshop, and other industry-standard tools.
- Strong understanding of anatomy, proportion, weight, and volume as they relate to character design and animation.
- Experience with high- and low-poly modeling, texturing, and shading techniques.
- Knowledge of proper topology, rigging, and skinning practices.
- Strong eye for detail, form, and style consistency.
- Ability to adapt to and create a range of visual styles, from realistic to stylized.
- Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
- Ability to incorporate feedback and iterate effectively.
Preferred Skills
- Familiarity with Marvelous Designer for clothing design and simulation.
- Experience with photogrammetry and procedural workflows.
- Knowledge of Unreal Engine or Unity for integrating character assets into the game.
Key skills/competency
- 3D Character Artist
- ZBrush
- Maya
- 3ds Max
- Substance Painter
- Photoshop
- Character Modeling
- Texturing
- Game Art
- AAA Games
Skills & topics
- 3D Character Artist
- Game Art
- Character Modeling
- Texturing
- ZBrush
- Maya
- Substance Painter
- Photoshop
- AAA Games
- Co-Development
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight 3+ years of character art experience and shipped titles.
- Showcase your portfolio: Demonstrate proficiency in ZBrush, Maya, Substance Painter, and Photoshop.
- Address requirements: Emphasize anatomical knowledge, modeling, texturing, rigging, and optimization skills.
- Express passion: Convey your enthusiasm for game development and character creation.
- Apply to talent pool: Submit your application to be considered for future opportunities.
Technical preparation
Master ZBrush, Maya, Substance Painter, Photoshop.,Practice anatomy, proportion, and form.,Develop high-poly and low-poly modeling.,Learn rigging and skinning techniques.
Behavioral questions
Showcase your artistic style adaptability.,Describe your collaboration with teams.,Explain how you handle feedback.,Demonstrate your passion for gaming.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I apply for the 3D Character Artist talent pool at Side?
- To apply for the 3D Character Artist talent pool at Side, you should submit your application through their official career portal. By applying to this listing, you express your interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience as a character artist. While this isn't for an immediate opening, your application ensures you're in their talent review for upcoming roles.
- What kind of projects can I expect as a 3D Character Artist with Side?
- As a 3D Character Artist in Side's talent pool, you can expect to work on co-development projects for AAA-quality games across PC, console, mobile, and VR/AR platforms. The specific projects will depend on client needs and availability, but the role focuses on crafting high-quality characters with personality, involving modeling, texturing, and optimization.
- What are the essential technical skills required for a 3D Character Artist at Side?
- Essential technical skills for a 3D Character Artist at Side include proficiency in ZBrush, Maya, 3ds Max, Substance Painter, and Photoshop. You should also have a strong understanding of anatomy, high- and low-poly modeling, texturing, shading, and knowledge of proper topology, rigging, and skinning practices.
- Is this 3D Character Artist position a full-time or contract role?
- This listing is for a Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles, which are typically project-based. While not for an immediate open position, opportunities that arise from this pool are often contingent on client needs and project availability, suggesting they could be contract or project-specific roles rather than traditional full-time employment with Side directly.
- What is the typical experience level for the 3D Character Artist talent pool at Side?
- The 3D Character Artist role described for Side's talent pool is a mid-level generalist role. The requirements specify 3+ years of experience as a Character Artist in the video game industry and demonstrated contribution to at least one shipped title.