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Assistant Character Concept Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nintendo

Lead Concept Artist (Retro Studios)

Austin, TX · On-site

Offer mentorship, guidance, and actionable feedback to internal artists, fostering their growth and ... A strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in character and environmental concept design. * Mastery ...

Scattermesh

3D Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$124K - $130K/yr

The role requires a skilled artist with a strong foundation in anatomy, sculpting, and character ... based on concept art. * Deliver Results - Conceptualize, present, and execute ideas within a ...

Scattermesh

3D Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$124K - $130K/yr

The role requires a skilled artist with a strong foundation in anatomy, sculpting, and character ... based on concept art. * Deliver Results - Conceptualize, present, and execute ideas within a ...

Kavaliro

Character Artist (Unreal Engine)

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

$112K - $117K/yr

... concept art, animation, and technical art teams to ensure visual consistency and functionality ... * Assist with cloth simulation setup, optimization, and troubleshooting for in-game performance

Scattermesh

Senior 3D Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$124K - $130K/yr

The role requires a skilled artist with a strong foundation in anatomy, sculpting, and character ... on concept art. * Pass on Your Knowledge - As an expert in your field, help your peers grow by ...

Scattermesh

Senior 3D Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$124K - $130K/yr

The role requires a skilled artist with a strong foundation in anatomy, sculpting, and character ... on concept art. * Pass on Your Knowledge - As an expert in your field, help your peers grow by ...

Side

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

$123K - $130K/yr

Create high-quality 3D character assets, including organic and hard surface elements, from concept ... Artistic Skills : * Strong eye for detail, form, and style consistency. * Ability to adapt to and ...

Epic Games

Character Outsource Lead

Cary, NC · On-site

ART What We Do Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment, character and concept artists who strive to innovate and inspire. What You'll Do Epic Games is searching ...

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Assistant Character Concept Artist information

See salary details

$120K

$132.8K

$146.5K

How much do assistant character concept artist jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant character concept artist in the United States is $132,826.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,000.00 and $146,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Assistant Character Concept Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Character Concept Artist, you need a solid foundation in drawing, anatomy, visual storytelling, and familiarity with design principles, often backed by a relevant art degree or portfolio. Proficiency with digital art tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, or Clip Studio Paint is typically required, and knowledge of 3D modeling software can be a plus. Creativity, strong communication, and the ability to take feedback and collaborate effectively are essential soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the creation of compelling character designs that meet project requirements and facilitate smooth teamwork in a fast-paced creative environment.

How does an Assistant Character Concept Artist typically collaborate with other members of the art and game development team?

As an Assistant Character Concept Artist, you’ll frequently collaborate with lead artists, 3D modelers, animators, and game designers to ensure your designs align with the project’s visual direction and gameplay needs. You may attend team meetings to discuss feedback, iterate on sketches based on input, and help refine character concepts for consistency. This collaborative environment helps you learn from senior artists and exposes you to different aspects of the creative pipeline, making it a great opportunity for professional growth.

What is the difference between Assistant Character Concept Artist vs Character Concept Artist?

AspectAssistant Character Concept ArtistCharacter Concept Artist
Required CredentialsTypically a relevant art or design degree, portfolio, and some industry experienceSimilar credentials, often with more experience and a stronger portfolio
Work EnvironmentCollaborates within a creative team, often under supervisionLeads or independently manages concept design tasks
Industry UsageCommon in animation, gaming, and film studios as an entry or supporting roleMid-level to senior roles in similar industries

The Assistant Character Concept Artist supports the main character designer by creating initial sketches and concepts, often under supervision. In contrast, the Character Concept Artist takes on more responsibility, developing detailed character designs and leading creative decisions. Both roles require a strong art background and industry experience, but the assistant position is typically an entry-level or supporting role within the creative team.

What does an Assistant Character Concept Artist do?

An Assistant Character Concept Artist supports the lead concept artist and design team by creating initial sketches, refining character designs, and generating visual ideas for characters in games, animation, or film. Their work helps define the look, personality, and style of characters before they are modeled or animated. They often collaborate closely with other artists, writers, and directors to ensure that the characters fit the overall vision of the project.
More about Assistant Character Concept Artist jobs
What cities are hiring for Assistant Character Concept Artist jobs? Cities with the most Assistant Character Concept Artist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Character Concept Artist jobs? The most popular types of Character Concept Artist jobs are:
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Assistant Character Concept Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Character Concept Artist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Part Time. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,826 per year, or $63.9 per hour.
Lead Concept Artist (Retro Studios)

Lead Concept Artist (Retro Studios)

Nintendo

Austin, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Nintendo rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

94th of 190 rated software companies

Job description

RETRO STUDIOS:
Founded in 1998, Retro Studios is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nintendo Co., Ltd., and a powerhouse in game development. Working hand-in-hand with Nintendo, we craft award-winning titles for the company's cutting-edge platforms, blending innovation, artistry, and gameplay excellence.
Our home base is Austin, Texas, a vibrant city known for its creative energy, live music, stunning natural scenery, and forward-thinking culture. With year-round sunshine and endless options for outdoor adventures, Austin offers the perfect backdrop for world-class developers to stay inspired, balanced, and at the top of their game.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
  • Collaborate with the Art Director and cross-disciplinary teams to define and execute the visual style of the project.
  • Create high-quality concept art across a variety of subjects including characters, environments, and props-from thumbnails to final illustrations.
  • Adapt to a wide range of visual styles, from realistic to stylized, based on project needs.
  • Own and drive concept development while aligning with Design, Art, and Engineering teams to ensure visual cohesion and innovation.
  • Provide contextual visual support for gameplay design throughout development.
  • Offer mentorship, guidance, and actionable feedback to internal artists, fostering their growth and career development.
  • Partner with Producers to plan, schedule, and manage internal and external concept art resources.
  • Advocate for the concept art team within the studio and help define best practices and pipelines.
  • Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and support individual career goals for direct reports.

*This job description outlines primary duties and requirements and is not intended to identify all tasks that may be performed; individuals occupying the position may be required to perform other duties. The company may modify job duties from time to time, either in practice or in writing.
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:
  • 8+ years of professional experience in concept art, with at least 2 full product cycles and 1 shipped project in a lead role.
  • A strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in character and environmental concept design.
  • Mastery of 2D art fundamentals including composition, color, lighting, anatomy, and perspective.
  • Versatility across a wide range of art styles.
  • Proficiency in standard industry tools; 3D skills (modeling, sculpting, materials, lighting) are a strong plus.
  • Experience with project management tools such as Flow or Jira is a plus.
  • Excellent communication skills, highly self-motivated, and team-oriented.
  • Degree in an art-related field, formal art training, or equivalent experience.

Retro Studios is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment in service to one another, our products, the diverse consumers we represent, and the communities we call home. We do all of this with kindness, empathy and respect for each other.

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