Lead 2D/Concept Artist (Remote)

Department: Design
Reports to: Art Lead
Location: Global or relocate to Japan
Languages: English (must have), Ukrainian / Russian / Mandarin optional

Here’s the updated job description for the Lead 2D/Concept Artist, with a focus on hand-drawn art, character and environment design, and the flexibility to adapt to different styles, with a mention of the innovative gambling company:

Lead 2D/Concept Artist

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled Lead 2D/Concept Artist to join our creative team at an innovative gambling company. In this role, you will take the lead in designing and creating high-quality hand-drawn art for characters, environments, backgrounds, and art objects. The primary focus will be on producing visually compelling and immersive game assets. While experience with UI design is a nice-to-have, the emphasis will be on creating traditional 2D artwork that supports and enhances the game’s aesthetic.

Key Responsibilities:
● Hand-Drawn Art Creation:
○ Lead the design and creation of detailed 2D assets including characters, environments,   backgrounds, and art objects, ensuring high-quality execution and alignment with the creative vision. ○ Develop concept art to establish the visual direction for new game elements, environments, and characters.
○ Work closely with the design and development teams to ensure assets are implemented smoothly and contribute to the overall player experience. 

○ Produce art in a modern semi-realistic style, while being adaptable to other artistic styles as required by the project.
○ Maintain consistency in visual elements, ensuring they meet artistic standards and enhance the game's thematic direction.

● Collaboration and Feedback:
○ Provide clear communication and artistic direction, offering constructive feedback to junior artists and ensuring the team stays aligned with the project’s goals.
○ Collaborate with other departments, ensuring that artwork aligns with gameplay requirements and enhances the player’s experience.

● Artistic Innovation:
○ As part of a forward-thinking gambling company, push the boundaries of 2D art within the industry, exploring new ways to visually captivate and engage players.
○ Stay up to date with current trends in 2D art and game design to bring fresh, innovative ideas to the table.

● AI-Driven Art (Secondary Focus):
○ While your main responsibility will focus on traditional hand-drawn art, you may also leverage AI tools to generate art variations or concept ideas, refining the outputs for integration into the overall game design.

Qualifications and Skills:

● Required:
○ 5+ years of experience in 2D art creation, concept art, or illustration within the gaming or entertainment industry.
○ Expertise in hand-drawn art, including characters, environments, backgrounds, and art objects.
○ Strong proficiency in traditional design tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and other relevant software.
○ Ability to work in a modern semi-realistic style, with the flexibility to adapt to various other styles based on project needs.
○ Strong understanding of art fundamentals, including anatomy, lighting, color theory, and composition.
○ A proven portfolio showcasing high-quality hand-drawn character, environment, and object art for games.

● Preferred:
○ Experience in the gaming industry, particularly within the innovative gambling or iGaming space.
○ Experience with AI art tools (e.g., MidJourney, DALL·E) and understanding of how to integrate AI-generated art into traditional workflows.
○ Familiarity with motion design tools like After Effects or Spine, a plus.