Velan Studios seeks a Senior Environment Artist to join their team on an unannounced title.  Responsibilities include building high-definition, game-ready models, materials, and world geometry; populating and decorating environments; collaborating with the Art Director, designers, and programmers; supporting outsourcing needs; integrating outsourced assets; engaging in R&D; and receiving and acting on feedback.  The ideal candidate possesses 7+ years of experience creating realistic AAA environments, expertise in asset creation and level layout, a strong understanding of physically-based rendering, proficiency in Maya, Substance Designer, and Painter, and familiarity with ZBrush and Unreal Engine.  The role involves working on a small prototyping team and requires strong communication and organizational skills.

<p>Velan Studios is a new development studio made up of a diverse team of game industry veterans. We have created hundreds of games, selling millions of copies over the past 25 years. Our team is embarking on a new journey to create breakthrough experimental games that will stoke the imagination and entertain, and new kinds of experiences that push the frontier of gaming forward.</p>

Velan Studios

Environment Artist

Environment Artist - Contract (Mid-Senior)

<section aria-labelledby="job-description-title" class="styles--3vx-H" data-ui="job-description"><h2 id="job-description-title">Description</h2><div><p>At Velan Studios, we foster a culture of curiosity. Our games embrace diversity and are fueled by the adventurous spirit of our team. We are the creative minds behind titles like Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, Knockout City, Hot Wheels Rift Rally, Midnight Murder Club as well as the VR game Bounce Arcade, and our journey continues! Our studio's mission is to pioneer groundbreaking gaming experiences and reimagine play in new ways. We're committed to pushing the boundaries of traditional gaming, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, and revolutionizing the industry one game at a time. </p><p></p><p>We are looking for a <strong>senior level Environment Artist</strong> to join our growing team on an unannounced title. As one of our Environment Artists, you should be comfortable working on a small prototyping team with engineers and designers to create eye-opening experiences. You will be actively collaborating with the Art Director to match the set style of the game and work with those in house and work coming in from outsourcing. If you are a 3D Environment Artist with the passion and curiosity to make amazing, eye-catching visuals, please apply! </p><p> </p><p>The responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to: </p><ul> <li>Build high definition, game ready models, materials, and world geometry. </li> <li>Populate and decorate environments with props and decals. </li> <li>Collaborate with the Art Director, game designers, and programmers to ensure art assets are high-quality, support the artistic direction of our projects, and are fully optimized on target platforms. </li> <li>Support any outsourcing needs as requested by the Art Outsourcing Manager.</li> <li>Integrate outsourced assets with your own into in-engine environments.</li> <li>Engage in R&amp;D efforts on new techniques to implement into our production pipeline. </li> <li>Receive feedback and modify work based on direction. </li> </ul><p></p></div></section><section aria-labelledby="job-requirements-title" class="styles--3vx-H" data-ui="job-requirements"><h2 id="job-requirements-title">Requirements</h2><div><ul> <li>7+ years of industry experience as an Environment Artist, or other relevant experience, creating realistic AAA environments. </li> <li>Expertise in asset creation and level layout and terrain generation. </li> <li>Experience with art principles and techniques such as lighting, composition, color theory, and staging. </li> <li>Strong understanding of physically-based rendering and experience complex building shaders. </li> <li>Expert in 3d modeling with Maya (or equivalent 3d modeling software). </li> <li>Proficiency in both Substance Designer and Painter. </li> <li>Familiarity with ZBrush (or equivalent sculpting software)</li> <li>Comfortable with procedural workflows both in engine and DCC tools.</li> <li>Deep understanding of real-time performance.</li> <li>Experience working in Unreal, Unity or other AAA Game Development Engines. </li> <li>Strong communication and organizational skills. </li> <li>Self-direction, passion, and creativity in your work. </li> <li>A receptiveness to feedback and the ability to act successfully on direct critique. </li> </ul><p></p><p><strong>Big Plusses</strong></p><ul> <li>Comfortable creating realistic as well as stylized artwork.</li> <li>Experience with Particle FX</li> </ul><p></p><p>The salary for this position is typically within the range specified below* per year. Please note that the actual base pay may vary based on factors such as your qualifications, skills, experience, and other relevant considerations. In addition to your salary, our comprehensive compensation package includes various perks, such as potential annual bonuses (though they are not guaranteed), health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and flexible time-off benefits.</p><p>Salary Range: $80,000. - $120,000. USD Annually</p><p>We're thrilled that you're considering joining our team. We want to let you know that candidates who can work onsite in our Troy, NY studio are highly preferred. We believe that working together in person can foster better collaboration and creativity, and we're excited about the opportunity to have you right here with us. Velan Studios is made up of a team of remote, hybrid, and onsite employees, with hybrid and onsite team members operating from our Troy, NY office.</p><p>Velan Studios is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about a role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to submit a General Application. Velan Studios is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion, diversity, and providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We seek to create a work culture that matches the diversity of our players.</p><p></p></div></section>