Lead Character Artist

5 Days ago • 6-8 Years • Concept Art

Job Summary

Job Description

Lead Character Artist needed for a new ambitious fantasy RPG. Responsibilities include leading and mentoring a team of character artists, collaborating with art directors to establish artistic vision, translating concepts into optimized character models, overseeing sculpt creation, working with other artists for seamless integration, managing outsourcing, and optimizing models for their proprietary engine, Glacier. Requires 6+ years AAA experience and proficiency in 3D applications (3ds Max, Maya, etc.).
Must have:
  • 6+ years AAA experience
  • Lead & mentor character artists
  • High-quality realistic character creation
  • Collaboration with art directors
  • Optimization for Glacier engine
  • 3D software proficiency (3ds Max, Maya)

Job Details

A passion for fantasy worlds has long been ingrained in our studio, and at last we can announce we have embarked on a journey into that beloved realm. With a party of veteran IOI guild members and new wizards and sorceresses of the industry, we are building an ambitious new IP for console and PC that will revolutionize the online fantasy RPG genre. If you share a similar passion for creating welcoming, heartfelt, bold and impactful worlds, join us and together we will write the next chapter in IOI's history.

We are seeking a process-oriented Lead Character Artist with AAA experience to lead our team of Character Artists. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in creating high-quality, realistic characters, with a passion for the fantasy genre. 

We're looking for someone who can provide clear, actionable feedback, and has a proven track record of leading teams to deliver exceptional results. This role demands a creative visionary with excellent communication skills to drive our projects to the next level.

What you will do:

  • Lead and mentor a team of character artists, providing guidance, feedback, and support throughout the production cycle.
  • Collaborate closely with the Art Director and Associate Art Director to establish and maintain the artistic vision for in-game characters.
  • Translate concepts and design direction into visually stunning, optimized character models and assets.
  • Oversee the creation of character sculpts, ensuring they align with design requirements and are conceptually and aesthetically compelling.
  • Work closely with animators, rigging artists, and technical artists to ensure seamless integration of character assets within the game.
  • Prepare and manage outsourcing handouts, providing clear instructions and feedback to external partners on character-related tasks.
  • Collaborate with technical artists to optimize character models for optimal execution and performance within our proprietary engine.
  • Stay up-to-date with industry trends and advancements, sharing knowledge and best practices with the team.

Who you are:

  • You are a well-versed Lead Character Artist with 6+ years in the AAA space, and have worked on at least one AAA title.
  • You have an in-depth understanding of the technical limitations and requirements for in-game character creation.
  • You excel in optimizing character models and assets, making them ready to be placed in-engine. We work with our proprietary engine, Glacier.
  • You have experience in one or more 3D applications (3ds Max, Maya, or other).

Who we are:


IO Interactive is an independent videogame development and publishing company with studios in Copenhagen, Malmö, Barcelona, Istanbul and Brighton. As the creative force behind some of the most talked-about multiplatform video games in the last decade, we are committed to creating unforgettable characters and experiences – all powered by our award-winning, proprietary Glacier technology.

We are a studio that values in-person collaboration. Being together helps us focus our collective energy on our immediate goals. For us, being both in-office as well as connected across our studios helps us integrate our teams faster, strengthen relationships, and improve knowledge-sharing. We believe that the more time we spend together, the more quality and progress we achieve for our games and players.

We know that to achieve those goals, we need courage, talented people and a great working environment – and we do our utmost to have all of that. Across our multiple studios, we’re working on several projects. Crucially though, we’re all one team. We value the work and impact that each person brings to the table and we actively encourage new ideas, whilst listening to your insights along the way.

We have a dedicated team of People Managers, who look after you as an individual and as an employee. With more than 40 nationalities, we know that everyone is different and we are proud to have a reputation for being a friendly workplace with highly-talent people.

 Learn more about Project Fantasy.

Similar Jobs

Ubisoft - Lead FX Artist

Ubisoft

Montpellier, Occitanie, France (On-Site)
6 Days ago
Ubisoft - Graphic Technical Director (Art)

Ubisoft

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (On-Site)
2 Weeks ago
Ubisoft - Senior VFX Artist - Cinématiques - (H/F/NB)

Ubisoft

Montpellier, Occitanie, France (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Funcom - VFX Artist - Internship

Funcom

Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania (On-Site)
5 Days ago
Activision - Senior Environment Artist - World

Activision

Santa Monica, California, United States (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
Escape Velocity Entertainment - Lead Environment Concept Artist

Escape Velocity Entertainment

(Remote)
2 Weeks ago
Lakshya Digital - Senior Environment Concept Artist

Lakshya Digital

Maharashtra, India (On-Site)
6 Days ago
Welevel - Unreal Environment Artist

Welevel

Munich, Bavaria, Germany (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Activision - Expert Character Artist

Activision

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (Hybrid)
3 Months ago
Tencent - Senior 2D Character Concept Artist - 3A Stylized Realistic Shooter Project

Tencent

Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China (On-Site)
1 Month ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Similar Skill Jobs

Sperasoft - Lighting Artist

Sperasoft

Vojvodina, Serbia (On-Site)
1 Week ago
Tencent - 3D Artist

Tencent

Osaka, Osaka, Japan (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Remedy Entertainment Plc - Senior Hard Surface Artist

Remedy Entertainment Plc

Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland (On-Site)
4 Months ago
Haptic - Senior 3D Creative Designer

Haptic

Paris, Île-de-France, France (Remote)
2 Months ago
Techland - Gameplay Animator

Techland

Wrocław, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Lighthouse Games - Senior Tools Engineer

Lighthouse Games

Royal Leamington Spa, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
6 Days ago
Flying Wild Hog - Lead Technical Artist

Flying Wild Hog

Brussels, Brussels, Belgium (Hybrid)
8 Months ago
Light Speed Studios - Senior Environment Artist

Light Speed Studios

(On-Site)
6 Days ago
Ubisoft - Senior Rigger

Ubisoft

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Hybrid)
5 Days ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Jobs in İstanbul, İstanbul, Türkiye

Trendyol - Pricing Data Analyst

Trendyol

İstanbul, Türkiye (Hybrid)
5 Months ago
Voodoo - Marketing Video Artist - Gaming

Voodoo

İstanbul, Türkiye (On-Site)
5 Days ago
Blockville Digital Assets - Backend Developer (JavaScript)

Blockville Digital Assets

İstanbul, Türkiye (On-Site)
8 Months ago
Spyke Games - QA Specialist

Spyke Games

İstanbul, Türkiye (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Bigger Games - Game Artist

Bigger Games

İstanbul, Türkiye (On-Site)
10 Months ago
Dream Games - Product Specialist

Dream Games

İstanbul, Türkiye (On-Site)
10 Months ago
Bigger Games - 2D Artist

Bigger Games

İstanbul, Türkiye (On-Site)
1 Week ago
Spyke Games - Product Specialist

Spyke Games

İstanbul, Türkiye (On-Site)
6 Months ago
Fugo Games - 2D Animator

Fugo Games

İstanbul, Türkiye (On-Site)
2 Weeks ago
IO Interactive - Mobile UI UX Designer

IO Interactive

İstanbul, Türkiye (On-Site)
7 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Concept Art Jobs

Paper Games - Character Illustrator - Miracle Nikki (2025 Spring Recruitment)

Paper Games

Shanghai, Shanghai, China (On-Site)
1 Week ago
Thatgamecompany - General Art

Thatgamecompany

United States (Remote)
6 Days ago
Epic Games - Character Art Director

Epic Games

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (On-Site)
1 Week ago
SSK Interanational School - Art & craft

SSK Interanational School

Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India (On-Site)
4 Months ago
Epic Games - Concept Artist

Epic Games

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (On-Site)
1 Week ago
Steer Studios - Sr. Concept Artist

Steer Studios

Riyadh, Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia (On-Site)
2 Weeks ago
Limit Break - Concept Artist

Limit Break

Tokyo, Japan (On-Site)
1 Month ago
FromSoftware - Environment Concept Artist

FromSoftware

Japan (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Sperasoft - Lead Concept Artist

Sperasoft

Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (Hybrid)
6 Days ago
Tencent - Senior 2D Character Concept Artist - Global AAA Action Game

Tencent

Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China (On-Site)
1 Month ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

About The Company

IO Interactive is a 25-year old, AAA independent game studio, creators of HITMAN, Kane & Lynch, Mini Ninjas and Freedom Fighters. We are currently working on Project 007, Project Fantasy, and continue to develop Glacier, our award-winning game engine.


We are a diverse team of designers, producers, artists, programmers and operations supporters from 40+ different nationalities, working on cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art game design.


The creative teams involved in producing our games are supported by our tech department, which delivers our own Glacier engine, and the incubation department, which helps the team to prototype new and exciting features, game mechanics, or even brand new IPs.


We know that the gaming world is in constant change – and so is IOI - but no matter what we do, we can assure you that it will not be boring.


IO Interactive was established in September 1998. The IO Interactive technology team consists of programmers, software engineers and mathematicians with considerable experience in game programming and 3D graphics. Graphic designers, artists and animators are recruited from the game and entertainment industry, as well as the best art schools from all over the world.

İstanbul, İstanbul, Türkiye (Hybrid)

Brighton And Hove, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Brighton And Hove, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Brighton And Hove, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

İstanbul, Türkiye (Hybrid)

Brighton And Hove, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

İstanbul, İstanbul, Türkiye (Hybrid)

İstanbul, İstanbul, Türkiye (Hybrid)

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (Hybrid)

View All Jobs

Get notified when new jobs are added by IO Interactive

Level Up Your Career in Game Development!

Transform Your Passion into Profession with Our Comprehensive Courses for Aspiring Game Developers.

Job Common Plug