Creature Processing Artist – Nighshift

Summary

The Creature Artist will be responsible for processing creature assets, providing feedback to our outsourcing vendors, and driving the outsourcing pipeline. will receive creature assets from our outsourcing partners and review/provide feedback to the outsourcing partner, ensure quality of the delivered assets, process both meshes and textures for each delivered asset to meet clients specifications and quality targets, and review/troubleshoot to ensure there are no issues with delivered assets. This is a more technically-minded role but the candidate also needs to have a good eye for form/silhouette to ensure a quality final result.

The Shift starts at 19:00 Bucharest Time

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of Creature Processing Artist

1. Mount Processing
   a. Receive assets from outsourcing partners and review to ensure compatibility with our creature pipeline system
   b. Ensure the delivered meshes/textures match the look of the concept and/or reference artwork
   c. Provide feedback to the outsourcing partner so they can make changes to the meshes/textures if needed
   d. Process meshes, which can involve the following steps:
   
   i. Set up file
   ii. Check UV layouts for proper material application
   iii. Check the mesh proportions and ensure they match closely enough to the skin meshes to ensure maximum compatibility
   iv. Transfer Skin Weights from a template mesh or the skin mesh to the creature assets
   v. Clean up any weighting issues that occur
   vi. Set up back facing for any areas where it isn’t built into the mesh
   
2. Process materials and textures, which can involve the following steps:
   a. Apply materials and textures to creature meshes
   b. Apply and check dyes and additional textures
   c. Do any additional texture polish/refinement to improve the overall quality
   d. Prepare/finalize any other textures needed for this specific asset
   
3. Finalize and review the creature asset:
   a. Name mesh pieces and apply asset properties
   b. Skin creature assets to existing rigs
   c. Export creature meshes
   d. Review newly exported asset in our internal model viewer
   e. Cycle through all other creatures of the same type (mount), to check for issues
   f. Cycle through various animation sequences (idle/run/combat ready/etc) to check for stretching/weighting issues or gaps
   g. Fix any bugs (clipping/weighting/gaps/stretching/dye or texture issues) that are reported by our Quality Assurance team
   h. Work with the Creature Art Lead and Art Director; ensures the aesthetic quality meets or exceeds standards
   i. Provides and receives feedback; adjusts art based on feedback
   j. Stays up to date on art resources, techniques, and best practices; shares new findings with peers
   k. Mentors less experienced Art team members
   
4. Outsourcing Feedback
   a. Work with vendors to ensure quality and theming of creature assets
   b. Provide technical feedback to ensure the asset will work correctly with our systems
   c. Able to provide written and illustrated feedback on work provided by outsourcing
   d. Work closely with the Creature Lead to keep feedback unified and poignant
   
5. Driving the Outsource pipeline
   a. Identify strengths and weaknesses of the current creature outsourcing pipeline
   b. Drive pipeline and documentation improvements (simplify for efficiency)
   c. Work with the Creature Lead to create demos, tutorials, and written and recorded instructions on how the creature pipeline works for our outsourcing vendors

Requirements

1. Ability to work on USA timezone. Shifts starts at 19:00 Bucharest Time.
2. Bachelor’s degree in Art or related field or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
3. 5 years of experience working in game development pipelines.
4. Very Strong design sense and a solid eye for composition and other fundamentals.
5. Excellent communication skills and works well in a team environment. Receptive to feedback and giving constructive feedback.
6. Expertise in 3D modelling, sculpting (ZBrush), UVs, Retopology, Texturing (Substance Painter/Photoshop)
7. Works effectively across all game development disciplines

Knowledge Skills & Abilities –

Competencies and qualifications directly related to successful job performance. Not an exhaustive list of all requirements. Does not include general competencies/expectations/skills universally applicable to office work.

1. Understanding of human and animal anatomy and shape language
2. Understanding of material definition, with the ability to texture and model a variety of materials
3. Understanding of design, silhouette and shape language to describe function and form
4. Technically-minded, with an ability to quickly pick up new tools/processes
5. Proficient in Maya, Photoshop, and Substance Painter
6. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
7. Excellent time management, interpersonal, and organizational skills
8. Ability to collaborate and communicate across team disciplines
9. Understanding of technical aspects of gameplay art and gameplay design
10. Understanding of how assets affect gameplay and framerate
11. Ability to receive and give criticism in a constructive but direct manner
12. Knowledge of skin weighting and working on various rigs
13. Self-motivated and passionate towards continued education
14. Ability to share knowledge with other team members

GlobalStep Care Package:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Permanent labor contract.
• Private medical insurance.
• Meal vouchers of 40 lei/workday – value is permanently updated with the law.
• Hybrid working model, with a solid focus on adaptability according to project needs.
• Cool and modern office space near Victoria Square.
• All sorts of treats and fun events inside and outside the office.
• Friendly, supportive, and professional environment to work and grow in.

Due to the high volume of applications, we can only contact candidates selected for an interview. Even if you are not contacted for this role, your qualifications may be a good fit for a future opportunity. We encourage you to apply and keep an eye out for our job postings for new positions.