At Mystic Interactive, we are game enthusiasts who bring our passion and talent together to push the envelope of what’s possible in VR gaming. We are looking for a talented Senior Character Artist who can breathe life into the characters for our first VR multiplayer game. We are looking for someone who is creative, independent, collaborative, self-motivating, flexible, dynamic and thrives in ambiguous situations. We are an independent small but growing studio and so in this role, you’ll not only get the opportunity to share your creative gift but also the opportunity to grow with us!

This job is for a 1099 contract for 6 months, with intent to extend into full-time employment, depending on performance and culture fit.

Please note that all applicants must reside in AND be legally eligible to work in the United States will be considered. Visa sponsorship is not offered with this role. Applications not meeting this eligibility criteria will not be considered.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As a Senior Character Artist, you will be instrumental in shaping the artistic vision for our game by helping to define the look and quality of our characters within a hand painted style
• Develop illustrations, models, textures, and PBR materials for 3D (and 2D as needed) characters, clothing, armor, and weapons, with a strong focus on customization and anatomical modeling
• Work with Mystic leaders to conceptualize and deliver the game's character style and quality standards; you'll also play a part in ensuring that character creation aligns with gameplay progression and aesthetic customization
• Contribute to the development of new 3D characters, with an emphasis on diversity and customization, including non-human characters
• Work closely with Engineering to ensure assets are optimized and meet the performance requirements of VR
• Assist in building and refining character pipelines, including developing best practices for next-gen character asset creation
• May lead members of the art production team
• Participate in team playtests and discussions to support the holistic development of the game

MAIN QUALIFICATIONS:

• 4+ years of industry experience with at least one title shipped in a Senior Character Artist/Designer role or equivalent
• Proven artistic and technical skills in 3D and or 2D art production
• Creative vision to take a character to completion from either a detailed or simple concept image, from illustration to final model, with an emphasis on character design
• Solid understanding of anatomy, mechanical principles, shape language, silhouette, color theory, and material definition
• Experience creating character topology for rigging and animation and a working knowledge of rigging workflows and techniques
• Proven proficiency with Photoshop, Maya and other commercial production software like ZBrush, and Substance Painter/Designer
• Experience with leveraging existing models as foundation for characters
• Strong experience with Unity Engine
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to take direction from leads while maintaining autonomy in execution

PREFERRED QUALIFICIATIONS:

• Experience working on VR games
• 2+ years’ experience in both armor/clothing and anatomical modeling
• Familiarity with semi-stylized character workflows and techniques in AAA game development
• Familiarity with using Git for work collaboration
• Previous experience with leading other art team members

CONTRACT DETAILS

• Pay Range: This is the yearly salary within the US: $80,000 - $100,000. This range is determined by an array of factors, including geographic location, training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and market demands. Additionally, it is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role is not eligible for benefits
• Location: This role is a completely remote role, open to applicants in any location in the United States. Interaction with other Mystic team members and work delivery will be conducted remotely. Note that interactions with the Mystic team will typically take place during working hours in the Pacific Standard Timezone (PST).

TO APPLY

If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, please provide a portfolio of work which demonstrates the following:

• Hand-painted style modeling experience in games, with an emphasis on character design
• Your direct contribution to both the conceptual thinking behind and the physical creation of detailed, high-quality product
• Drawing, sculpting, and other traditional art skills is a plus

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY NOTICE 

If you don't meet every requirement listed in this job description or are daunted by your experience level but meet most of the requirements, we encourage you to apply anyway if you're interested in the position. Studies show that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they believe they meet every single qualification. Mystic is focused on building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace so give us a chance to get to know you and the work you've delivered previously. You never know, it might just be a fit.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION NOTICE

Mystic does not accept unsolicited referrals or resumes from any source other than directly from candidates. We will not consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes from vendors including and without limitation, search firms, staffing agencies, fee-based referral services, and recruiting agencies.