3D Games Artist

Contract

Fixed term or permanent positions, as well as freelance opportunities.

Hours

Usually 40 hours per week with exact hours of work as required by demands of the role. In a permanent position, the pattern of your working hours are unlikely to vary, though there are times when coming up to deadlines or game releases that more work is required. In freelance work, working hours will vary and these could sometimes include weekend and evening work. Bonuses are sometimes given, usually in bigger studios on game’s release.

Salary

Junior - £20,000-£30,000 annually. Day rates ranging from £85-£125.

Mid-level - £30,000-£50,000 annually. Day rates ranging from £125-£210.

Senior - £50,000-£70,000 annually. Day rates ranging from £210-£300.

Day rates depend on the individual and may be more or less depending on experience and type of work.

This information is based on a Junior 3D Artist working in a small indie games company, as opposed to other industries or other company sizes.

As a Junior 3D Artist you will collaborate closely with a creative team of professionals to help bring the game vision to life. You'll be responsible for assisting in the creation of 3D assets and environments, ensuring they align with the game's artistic direction and technical requirements. Due to the small team size, there will be cases where you will be working outside of your initial skill set in a more generalist style role. You will be working closely with the other members of the team, specifically the lead artist, to make sure that the work produced suits all discipline specifications.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Assist in creating 3D models of characters, objects, and environments using industry-standard software.

• Work on applying textures and materials to 3D models to achieve the desired visual style.

• Learn to optimise 3D assets for real-time rendering and implement LOD (level of detail) systems as needed.

• Animation Support: Collaborate with the team to support character and object animations, including rigging and basic animations.

• Work closely with game designers, programmers, and other members of the team to ensure the assets work cohesively within the game world.

• Ensure a high-quality of standards and attention to detail throughout the art creation process.

• Troubleshooting and finding solutions to technical challenges that may arise during development.

Essential Skills and Qualifications:

• An enthusiastic interest in the gaming industry and a strong desire to pursue a career as a 3D artist in game development.

• Proficiency in 3D modelling fundamentals, including an understanding of polygon modelling, edge flow, and subdivision surfaces.

• Familiarity with industry-standard 3D modelling and texturing software such as Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, or equivalent.

• A strong artistic and creative mindset, with the ability to demonstrate this through a portfolio or examples of previous work.

• Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate with a small team of artists, designers, and programmers.

• A keen eye for detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality 3D assets.

• The ability to troubleshoot and find creative solutions to technical and artistic challenges.

• Eagerness to learn and adapt to new techniques and software tools as the industry evolves.

Although not essential, a university degree in computer graphics, games design or a related field is desirable. 

Other desirable skills are; animation basics, familiarity with creating concept art of sketches, experience of working with game engines like Unity3D or Unreal Engine, some proficiency in texture creation using software like Substance Painter or Adobe Photoshop, familiarity with digital sculpting software such as ZBrush.

3D Artists usually start off in a junior role and can work their way up the ladder to mid-level, senior, lead and principle roles or art director. This can sometimes be done in one company but is more likely through working at different companies. The higher roles are usually achieved when working at AAA studios (game studios with high profile and budget).

Some companies will be willing to pay for training, starting you off at a lower level and getting you ready for a junior/ mid-level from an internship or entry level role.

A 3D games artist might work in video games for indie companies, AAA studios or anywhere in between. The may also use their skills within animation studios, film and visual effects (VFX), architectural visualisation, product design and manufacturing, advertising and marketing, freelance and contract work and education and training.