Deputy Lead 3D Artist
Atomhawk Newcastle /
Atomhawk – 3D /
Full-Time, Permanent
/ Hybrid
Description
Office based in our Sumo Leamington Spa location.
We are looking for an experienced 3D Art Deputy Lead who has a passion for quality 3D Art. Experience working in a wide variety of styles/purposes across full game-development cycles and a solid understanding of 3D packages are essential.
Deputy Leads are responsible for supporting Discipline Leads to support the creation of 3D Art in accordance with the requirements of each project/client. The role involves creating artwork and design at all stages of the development cycle as well as supporting the Discipline Lead, providing team management and feedback. We're looking for personalities who will fit our innovative creativity and collaborative problem-solving culture, someone who is committed to continuous development and sharing of knowledge.
If this interests you, we encourage you to send us your portfolio and show us what you’d bring to our flock.
Artists at Atomhawk work on a variety of projects alongside their team members. We work at all stages of visual development, from early concepting through to production and marketing. We work with brands including WB Games, XBOX Game Studios, 2K, EA and Sony, helping shape the visual design of the games of tomorrow.
NOTE - At this time we are considering remote work applications due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions on movement.
We look for the following things in people who want to join our team:
- Quality at all stages of the process – Creation of 3D models that are cleanly modelled, organised workflow& files, well presented and defined from initial blockout through to final model & maps.
- Design thinking – Solving creative problems when adapting 2D concept, balancing form and function, always being aware of the whole pipeline and the requirements
- Technical skill – Max/Maya/Blender, Zbrush, Substance, Marmoset, Photoshop and an understanding of the usual development software & tools. An understanding and interest in real world mechanics would also be a benefit.
- Art fundamentals – A strong grasp of proportion, silhouette & anatomy.
- Variety and iteration – The ability to provide multiple creative options, then iterate upon them as projects progress.
- Adaptability – Switching quickly and fluidly to new requirements and processes when required.
- Working to a brief – Understanding creative briefs, then considering elements such as context, timescales and creative constraints when solving tasks.
- Time management – Creation of high-quality work within allocated timescales.
- Collaboration – Receptive to taking feedback and working together with team-mates and clients.
Skills and Experience:
- At least 10 years experience in 3D Art (ideally within video games)
- Been through the full development cycle of at least 2 games.
- Thorough knowledge of current 3D software and tools.
- Experience providing feedback and mentoring more Junior members of the team.
- Great technical understanding of Games Development 3D creation processes from start to finish.
- Knowledge of creating efficient meshes that are good for performance.
- Create well laid out, high-quality textures suitable for both traditional and PBR pipelines.
Responsibilities:
- Mentoring and developing the 3D team; maintaining quality and supporting the growth of more junior team members.
- Support Discipline Lead across multiple teams to deliver work for a variety of projects, in various styles to various levels of finish and time constraints.
- Responsible for effectively briefing teams on new and existing work.
- Has a strong understanding of the creative processes and workflows with the ability to direct their aesthetic output and quality.
- Helps to define creative workflows.
- Supporting Discipline Lead in the recruiting and hiring process for their team.
- Sets schedules and breaks down workflows for new projects alongside Production.
- Gives regular feedback to team members with the ability to inspire those around them.
- Support the Discipline Lead to review documentation, briefs, and visual targets for multiple projects.
- Required to speak on behalf of the project, to clients during onsite and offsite visits and weekly meetings.
- Expected to represent the company and its values at external events and communicate its message safely and effectively.
- Actively proposes mitigation plans for identified risks and problems.
- Identifies areas requiring innovation and is a part of creating innovative solutions for an area of expertise.
- Stays current with trends and brings innovation where possible.
- Helps define and communicate both technical and non-technical, information to Art Team, Production and Management.
- Adapts content of information for the intended audience.
- Partners within the Creative Leadership Team.
About Atomhawk
Atomhawk produces the very best in cutting-edge creative conceptualisation, visualisation, and realisation. Our client list includes major names - Warner Bros, Sony, Microsoft, SEGA, Activision, 2K, EPIC, The Pokémon Company and Blizzard all feature. And we like variety. Every project is different from the last. The spectrum covers gritty, hard-hitting Mortal Kombat, irreverent and stylised Surgeon Simulator 2, comic book superheroes, nostalgic childhood favourites and all things in between. Whichever franchise is on today’s agenda - DC, Halo, Marvel, Mortal Kombat and Warhammer - we move through their worlds with ease and creative curiosity.
The work our team produces is world-class. We’ve celebrated that fact in three artbooks. Each one features concept art, tutorials and professional tips. Volume 3 was created to mark the studio’s 10th anniversary, and was displayed and sold at the Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle, where we held the exhibition Other Worlds: The Art of Atomhawk in 2020. You can take a virtual tour of the exhibition here.
Our output hasn’t gone unnoticed. We received Best Companies’ 3 Star Accreditation 2021 and Top Companies North East 2021. We hold the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, as well as the TIGA Star Award 2021. We were also named Best Art/Animation/Trailer Supplier at the 2021 Develop Star Awards.
Creativity thrives through diversity, not conformity. Every Atomhawk applicant and employee is afforded space and freedom to be their true self, with no fear of prejudice or persecution. During the application process, you won’t be judged on your name, your gender, your sexuality, your ethnicity, your age, your religion, or any other factor unrelated to your ability to do the job.
Benefits
As well as having the chance to work on some incredible projects, Atomhawk offers a unique environment for those wanting to be surrounded by like-minded creative people. We have one of the largest in-house teams of specialist digital artists in the world, providing a collaborative community that works, develops and socialises together.
Atomhawk provides structured career development and training pathways for staff at all levels. We offer flexible working hours and a strict ‘No-Crunch’ culture, meaning overtime is not required or forced within the art team. This is alongside a competitive salary, relocation allowance and comprehensive benefit and bonus scheme.
Our UK studio is based in the North East of England on the banks of the River Tyne. Newcastle Quayside is just a short walk from our office, with hundreds of bars, shops and restaurants to choose from. Not only being one of the UK’s most affordable major cities to live in, it is also close to the coast and countryside, perfect for when you want a change of pace from the buzz of the city. Transport connections are excellent, with Newcastle International Airport offering flights across the world.
Atomhawk is part of Sumo Group Ltd, one of the UK’s leading videogame developers.
