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2D Game Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Embedding VC

Founding Game Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$182K/yr

Pebble first version is a 2D exploration game built in Godot 4. Children explore a procedurally ... The game designer's job isn't to build levels, it's to design the systems and constraints that make ...

Epoch Games

Lead 3D Game Artist

Winston Salem, NC

Company Description Epoch Games is a volunteer-based, all-online, global game development team. We ... Pixologic ZBrush / Mudbox Recommended 2D Image Software (either or both): * Photoshop (CS4 and up)

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 2D Artist

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$20 - $50/hr

Experience: 2 plus years of experience as a 2D Artist or Graphic Designer, ideally within games, UGC platforms, or interactive media. * Roblox Familiarity: Hands-on experience creating art for Roblox ...

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 2D Artist

Los Angeles, CA

$20 - $50/hr

Experience: 2 plus years of experience as a 2D Artist or Graphic Designer, ideally within games, UGC platforms, or interactive media. * Roblox Familiarity: Hands-on experience creating art for Roblox ...

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 2D Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$20 - $50/hr

Experience: 2 plus years of experience as a 2D Artist or Graphic Designer, ideally within games, UGC platforms, or interactive media. * Roblox Familiarity: Hands-on experience creating art for Roblox ...

Candywriter

Unity Developer

Miami Beach, FL

Designing and building game code for chart-topping IP. * Identifying and fixing code errors and ... Knowledge of 2D/3D development and integrated game physics. * Experience with mobile game ...

Candywriter

Unity Developer

Miami Beach, FL · On-site

Designing and building game code for chart-topping IP. * Identifying and fixing code errors and ... Knowledge of 2D/3D development and integrated game physics. * Experience with mobile game ...

dsn-it

Technical Designer

Las Vegas, NV

... elements, and game componentsDesign and implement 2D/3D assets optimized for real-time ... designs are achievable and performantIterate quickly based on feedback, gameplay needs, and ...

Stellantis

UX Motion Design Lead

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$104K - $136K/yr

... Designers, 2D/3D Visual Designers, Motion Graphic Artist, Researchers, and Prototypers. We are ... A bachelor's degree in Motion Design, Game design, Entertainment Design, Communications Design ...

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2D Game Designer information

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How much do 2d game designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for 2d game designer in the United States is $149,118.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $155,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a 2D Game Designer job?

A 2D Game Designer is responsible for creating the visual and interactive elements of a 2D video game. They design characters, environments, UI elements, and animations, ensuring a cohesive visual style that enhances gameplay. Their role also involves collaborating with developers, artists, and writers to bring a game’s vision to life. Strong artistic skills, proficiency in design software, and knowledge of game mechanics are essential for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the 2D Game Designer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 2D Game Designer, you need strong artistic abilities, knowledge of game design principles, and experience with 2D animation and illustration, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Spine, and game engines like Unity or Godot is highly valued. Creativity, collaboration, and effective communication help you excel when working with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for creating engaging visuals, seamless gameplay, and successful game projects in a fast-evolving industry.

What are some typical challenges a 2D Game Designer may face in their daily work?

2D Game Designers often encounter challenges such as balancing creative vision with technical limitations and adapting artwork to fit various screen sizes or platforms. They may need to iterate quickly based on feedback from developers, producers, or playtesters, which requires flexibility and a willingness to adjust designs on short notice. Tight deadlines and working collaboratively with programmers, writers, and sound designers can also present scheduling and communication hurdles. Overcoming these challenges requires patience, adaptability, and strong problem-solving skills, which ultimately contribute to producing polished and cohesive gaming experiences.

More about 2D Game Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for 2D Game Designer jobs? Cities with the most 2D Game Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of 2D Game Designer jobs? The most popular types of 2D Game Designer jobs are:
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2D Game Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various 2D Game Designer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 79% In-person, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,118 per year, or $71.7 per hour.

Founding Game Designer

Embedding VC

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

$182K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Pebble - Founding Game Designer
About us
We're second-time founders and former Google and Synthesia leaders (Search, Voice, and Assistant). We're assembling a core team of engineers, artists and educators to build the interface between AI and childhood.
The problem we're solving
Kids between 6 and 10 spend hours every day on screens, but most digital content is passive (TV, YouTube) or repetitive (apps, games). Parents want safe, engaging, and educationally positive experiences. Kids crave play, parents crave development and safety, and the industry hasn't bridged that gap.
Our product
Pebble is building the first generative learning world. If you've read the Diamond Age, you know what that means. If you haven't, this video will bring you up to speed.
Pebble first version is a 2D exploration game built in Godot 4. Children explore a procedurally generated world alongside an AI companion character they interact with through voice. Conversations are open-ended, not scripted. The companion isn't a sidekick, it's the core relationship that drives engagement, learning and emotional investment.
The design challenge is unlike traditional game design. The world is generated and the narrative is emergent. The content adapts to each child's interests and developmental needs in real time. The game designer's job isn't to build levels, it's to design the systems and constraints that make a generative world feel coherent and worth coming back to.
Founders
Guillaume (CPTO): First product hire at Synthesia, where he scaled from $3 to $100M ARR and helped define the category of AI video. Spent 7 years at Google as a PM on Search. Dad of two (ages 7 and 9), giving him a front-row seat to what captivates and educates kids today.
Lio (CEO): Second-time entrepreneur: founder of Neoplants, raised $25M+ from top-tier US investors. Ex-Google PMM, part of the original Google Assistant EMEA launch team (2017). Creative technologist and product builder with 15 years across tech, storytelling, and consumer launches.
About you
You think of yourself as a pirate. Wait, maybe that's too specific. A bear will do too. The point is, you want to bring something special to this world. Something wonderful.
In corporate speak, we might say that we're looking for an ambitious and forward looking Game Designer who's excited at the prospect of inventing a new gaming paradigm with AI at its core. You're comfortable thinking from first principles about what makes a great game. You understand what AI will change and what will remain the same. You've worked on 2+ games from scratch, at reputable studios or on your own. You have strong opinions about what the future of games look like.
What we're looking for, really, is someone who knows games in and out, and wants to join us to build something extraordinary for children.
The role
You'll be Pebble's first game designer, responsible for defining how an AI-powered world actually feels to play. That means designing the exploration systems, pacing, and progression mechanics that make kids want to come back, not through dark patterns, but through genuine curiosity and a deepening relationship with an AI companion character. You'll work at the intersection of game design, child development, and generative AI, building design frameworks from scratch in a Godot 4 environment where the content is procedural and the interactions are voice-driven.
This is a unique opportunity to create a completely new kind of game experience that goes beyond entertainment. This is an opportunity to shape the future of parenting and education in the age of AI.
Requirements
You have:
  • Shipped at least one game or interactive product where you owned core design decisions: progression, pacing, systems, or economy design.
  • A portfolio or body of work that demonstrates systems thinking: you can show how you designed rules that produced emergent player behaviour, not just authored fixed content.
  • The ability to prototype quickly and iterate based on playtesting, not just theory.
  • Strong design communication skills. You can write a clear design doc, argue for a mechanic, and explain your reasoning to engineers and non-designers without hand-waving.

You're comfortable with:
  • Being the first designer. There's no existing design language, style guide, or established framework. You'll be making foundational calls with incomplete information and revising them as you learn.
  • Providing a strong input on the visual side. You have a strong visual eye and opinions about art direction
  • Designing for an audience that isn't you. Our players are 6-10 years old. You don't need a background in child development, but you need genuine curiosity about how kids think, play, and learn.
  • Working with generative systems. Much of Pebble's content is procedural and AI-driven, which means you're designing constraints, rules, and possibility spaces rather than hand-crafting every encounter.

Nice to have:
  • Experience with Godot, or any 2D game engine's design/prototyping tools.
  • Familiarity with educational game design, edutainment, or serious games.
  • Interest in or exposure to AI/LLM-powered interactive experiences.
  • Experience designing for young children or family audiences.

Genuinely optional:
  • Charizard card in mint condition to add to our cabinet of curiosities
Work conditions
  • Salary up to 80k-110k GBP depending on experience
  • Strong equity component
  • In person work from London Shoreditch, open to remote for the right candidate

Apply