Lead Character Artist
Obsidian Entertainment is looking for talented, self-motivated Lead Character Artist to join our growing team of RPG developers.
The Lead Character Artist position requires a solid understanding of current AAA-quality art, consistent character design, art pipelines, and current game console criteria and their limitations on memory and performance. This person understands the value of the production schedule and how to fit project goals within it. This is a hands-on position, by which he or she will set an example through exceptional asset creation, understanding current character art technologies, tools pipelines and interdepartmental dependencies. The Lead Character Artist will help to implement required production methods to guarantee the highest quality result, in an efficient and timely manner.
Requirements:
High proficiency of a major 3D software (3dsMax or Maya), Z-Brush, Substance Designer / Painter and Photoshop, and Marvelous Designer
Excellent High and Low poly modeling skills, as well as demonstrable skill with texture and shader creation within a PBR pipeline
Strong knowledge of human and animal anatomy, materials and garb
Solid grasp of color theory and lighting techniques for quality presentation and the best player experience
6+ years in the game industry with 3 shipped titles and 1 shipped title as a Lead Character Artist
Ability to rapidly master proprietary tools and development pipelines
Ability to be resourceful and come up with creative solutions
Ability to be receptive to art direction and critiques from project art leads
Strong foundation in traditional art
Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively coordinate with producers, programmers, designers, as well as artists.
Strong organizational, supervisory and mentoring skills
Passion for gaming
Pluses:
Exceptional visual and technical understanding of 3D modeling and texturing of characters and creatures
Experience with Epic's Unreal Engine 4
Knowledge of photogrammetry techniques
Knowledge of rig creation and skinning of verts
Character and prop concepting skills
Scripting experience in MaxScript Python or MEL
Background in portrait painting, Photography or Cinematography
Responsibilities:
Provide strong leadership and thoughtful direction
Create (Sculpt, Model, UV, texture and create materials) AAA quality characters and creatures
Provide creative and technical direction to character artists
Set the tone for character creation using advanced techniques, including Substance Designer and Painter
Work closely with Creative Director and Lead Artist to ensure the visual target is always exceeded and stylistically consistent
Actively participate in technical and aesthetic problem solving discussions for the entire project
Coordinate with tools and technology teams to develop necessary solutions for creating the best characters possible
Review assets to make certain that they satisfy their intended design and are ready for rigging and animation
Create and maintain a transparent and reliable schedule that is well coordinated with production
Mentor artists by providing creative and technical training, guidance, and feedback
The Lead Character Artist is a supervisor of skilled people and will be responsible for reviewing and interviewing potential candidates, training them, assigning work to them, as well as appraising employee performance and resolving interpersonal and performance issues.
