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Animation Concept Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bonfire Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior/Principal)

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$113K - $129K/yr

Collaborating closely with designers, engineers, and tech artists to develop combat that feels ... concept to completion. * Are highly skilled at conveying character through gameplay animation, not ...

Tencent

Principal Technical Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$138K - $261K/yr

... artists and support from concept design, 3D modeling, animation, VFX design, technical art, cinematics, comics, and more. With a profound love for games, our Art Department is committed to exploring ...

Turtle Rock Studios

Senior UI Artist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$105K - $150K/yr

Own assigned UI features from concept through final in-game implementation, driving visual quality ... Partner closely with UI Tech Art and Engineering to integrate assets, support animation and motion ...

Canoo

3D Visualization Artist

Justin, TX · On-site

Job Title 3D Visualization Artist About Canoo Canoo's mission is to bring EVs to Everyone and build ... This position includes creating images/animations for concept presentations to executives and ...

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

From initial concept art to final in-game elements, we are crafting a compelling aesthetic ... animation discipline grows. You'll set vision, mentor artists, evolve pipelines, and hold the ...

Progressive Gaming

Animator

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$114K - $141K/yr

You'll shape the look, feel, and energy of our games-owning animation from concept to final polish ... Collaborate with designers, engineers, and artists to define and execute creative vision * Bring ...

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA

From initial concept art to final in-game elements, we are crafting a compelling aesthetic ... animation discipline grows. You'll set vision, mentor artists, evolve pipelines, and hold the ...

Turtle Rock Studios

Senior UI Artist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$105K - $150K/yr

Own assigned UI features from concept through final in-game implementation, driving visual quality ... Partner closely with UI Tech Art and Engineering to integrate assets, support animation and motion ...

IGT

Animator

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$114K - $141K/yr

You'll shape the look, feel, and energy of our games-owning animation from concept to final polish ... Collaborate with designers, engineers, and artists to define and execute creative vision * Bring ...

CoCreativ

AI Artist (freelance to hire)

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$500 - $800/day

The ideal candidate has a background in commercial production, filmmaking, VFX, animation, motion ... Ability to take projects from concept through final delivery Who Should Apply We're looking for ...

CoCreativ

AI Artist (freelance to hire)

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$500 - $800/day

The ideal candidate has a background in commercial production, filmmaking, VFX, animation, motion ... Ability to take projects from concept through final delivery Who Should Apply We're looking for ...

CoCreativ

AI Artist (freelance to hire)

New York, NY

$500 - $800/day

The ideal candidate has a background in commercial production, filmmaking, VFX, animation, motion ... Ability to take projects from concept through final delivery Who Should Apply We're looking for ...

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All JobsAnimation Concept Artist Jobs

Animation Concept Artist information

See salary details

$84.5K

$246.3K

$400K

How much do animation concept artist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for animation concept artist in the United States is $246,250.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,500.00 and $400,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Animation Concept Artist do?

An Animation Concept Artist is responsible for creating the initial visual designs and concepts for characters, environments, and props in an animated production. They work closely with directors and designers to establish the overall artistic style and visual direction. Their sketches and illustrations serve as a blueprint for animators and modelers to bring the project to life. Strong drawing skills, creativity, and an understanding of storytelling are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Animation Concept Artist position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animation Concept Artist, you need strong drawing and design abilities, a solid understanding of anatomy, color theory, and storytelling, typically supported by a degree in art, illustration, or a related field. Proficiency with digital art tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, or specialized animation software is essential, and a well-developed portfolio is often critical. Creativity, adaptability, strong communication, and collaboration skills are highly valued soft skills in this role. These competencies enable effective visual storytelling and teamwork, ensuring concepts are both imaginative and aligned with project goals.

What are the typical responsibilities of an Animation Concept Artist on a project team?

Animation Concept Artists are responsible for designing and visualizing characters, environments, and key visual elements that set the tone and style of an animation project. They closely collaborate with directors, animators, and other artists to translate scripts and ideas into compelling visuals that guide the entire creative process. Daily tasks often include sketching, creating digital paintings, participating in feedback sessions, and refining concepts based on input from the team. This role is highly collaborative, requiring clear communication and adaptability to ensure all visuals align with the project's narrative and artistic vision.

More about Animation Concept Artist jobs
What cities are hiring for Animation Concept Artist jobs? Cities with the most Animation Concept Artist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Concept Artist jobs? The most popular types of Animation Concept Artist jobs are:
What states have the most Animation Concept Artist jobs? States with the most job openings for Animation Concept Artist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Animation Concept Artist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animation Concept Artist jobs are:
Animation Concept Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Concept Artist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 72% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 6% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $246,250 per year, or $118.4 per hour.
Gameplay Animator (Senior/Principal)

Gameplay Animator (Senior/Principal)

Bonfire Studios

Irvine, CA • On-site, Remote

$113K - $129K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

What's the one game you couldn't put down? The game that connected you with friends, and made you feel like you belonged? If a game has ever defined a chapter of your life, then you already know the spark we're chasing. Our mission is to ignite that same feeling for players; the thrill of competition, the joy of community, and the belonging of finding your own corner of a larger world.
Great games begin with people who dare to dream big. If that sounds exciting, you might be exactly who we're looking for.
Bonfire is a group of experienced and ambitious developers, proud to be creating our first original IP: Arkheron. It is a fast-paced, competitive PVP game set in a surreal dark fantasy world where 15 teams of three battle their way up the Tower. In a world built from memories, you will loot powerful items to create and adapt a unique build-out that will change your strategy and combat experience with every Ascension.
The best way to understand our Art team is in their own words - here's how they describe their work.
Our goal is to immerse players in an extraordinary and haunting realm. From initial concept art to final in-game elements, we are crafting a compelling aesthetic experience that seamlessly blends with and brings to life the game's narrative, level design, combat and audio. We play the game daily and our deep understanding of it allows us to deliver visuals that put the player experience first, while still pushing artistic boundaries to fully capture the unique tone and unforgettable atmosphere of the Arkheron's world.
We're looking for a Senior/Principal Animator who understands that every frame communicates something: timing, weight, threat, opportunity. You'll help define the animation language of a competitive experience, shaping clarity and responsiveness from the earliest stages of development. On a small team, your work will directly influence the feel of every ability, encounter, and moment of impact. If you care about animation as gameplay (and want real ownership over the result) we'd love to see your reel.
YOU'LL CONTRIBUTE BY:
  • Creating high-quality, in-game character animations that bring combat, movement, and moment-to-moment gameplay to life.
  • Collaborating closely with designers, engineers, and tech artists to develop combat that feels responsive, readable, and satisfying in a competitive multiplayer environment.
  • Partnering with animation, engineering, and tech art to help shape rigs, tools, and animation systems that improve workflows and elevate quality.
  • Owning animation features end-to-end, from early exploration and iteration through polish and final implementation.
  • Aligning with the animation team on style, quality bar, and execution, while contributing your own ideas, taste, and problem-solving.
  • Participating actively in playtests, evaluating your work through the lens of the player experience and iterating based on feel, clarity, and gameplay impact.
  • Balancing animation fidelity with gameplay needs, making smart tradeoffs that serve performance, readability, and fun.
  • Wearing multiple hats in a small, focused team and using your experience to contribute beyond your core lane when it helps the game or studio.
  • Helping shape a new IP, contributing creatively and thoughtfully as the game, systems, and pipelines evolve.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT YOU BECAUSE YOU:
  • Have strong experience creating high-quality gameplay animation, ideally across multiple shipped titles.
  • Are genuinely excited by competitive multiplayer combat and understand how animation affects feel, fairness, and clarity.
  • Bring a deep understanding of combat systems and how animation drives responsiveness and player satisfaction.
  • Have experience working with or helping develop animation systems and tools, including in new or evolving engines.
  • Are comfortable owning work independently, seeing features through from concept to completion.
  • Are highly skilled at conveying character through gameplay animation, not just cinematics.
  • Push for animation excellence while prioritizing gameplay quality first.
  • Are self-motivated and good at identifying what matters most right now for the game.
  • Thrive in highly collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams and communicate clearly with partners in all disciplines.
  • Value trust, openness, and diverse perspectives, and enjoy learning from others.
  • Have a growth mindset and care about raising the quality bar for both yourself and the team.
  • Are passionate about the creative process and excited to help build something new together.

THIS MIGHT NOT BE THE ROLE FOR YOU IF:
  • You're primarily looking for a people-management or team-lead role rather than a hands-on IC position.
  • You prefer working in a highly siloed environment with minimal cross-disciplinary collaboration.
  • You're uncomfortable iterating based on playtests or adjusting work to serve gameplay needs.
  • You're looking for a role with narrowly defined responsibilities and little room to explore beyond your lane.
  • Competitive multiplayer games (and the tradeoffs they require) don't genuinely excite you.
  • You prefer fully established pipelines and systems over building and evolving things as you go.

YOU'LL LOVE WORKING AT BONFIRE BECAUSE WE:
  • Embrace bold challenges with creativity and courage, making the tough calls to build a game we're proud to play every day.
  • Keep fun at the core: we play Arkheron daily, staying grounded as players. If it's not more fun than yesterday, we fix it. We don't chase trends; we listen by playing.
  • Stay truly independent, with decisions driven by the team - not by investors or a board.
  • Thrive in a culture of passion, trust, and shared ownership; where transparency matters and egos don't.

The base salary range for this role is $196,500 - $247,133. Depending on your experience and level (whether you're closer to mid-level or principal), your offer may land above or below that range. We don't just look at years on a résumé - we think about the impact you can have on the team and the game. Of course, compensation at Bonfire goes beyond salary. Every new teammate receives equity, plus a full benefits package and some extra perks to make work (and life) better. When we connect, we'll happily walk you through the full details.
Want to get a feel for what it's like to work here? You can check out more about our culture, team, benefits, and perks at www.bonfirestudios.com. And don't worry - anything you share with us in the application process is just for recruiting and won't be shared. You can read more in our privacy policy.

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