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Contract Concept Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Marketing Artist (Contract)

Boulder, CO · On-site +1

$131K - $157K/yr

Marketing Artist This is a ~30 hour/week contract position. Get into Unity , beautifully arrange ... If you utilize AI in your concept process, please let us know how, and clearly disclose pieces with ...

Marketing Artist (Contract)

Boulder, CO

$131K - $157K/yr

Marketing Artist This is a ~30 hour/week contract position. Get into Unity , beautifully arrange ... If you utilize AI in your concept process, please let us know how, and clearly disclose pieces with ...

Marketing Artist (Contract) (Remote)

Boulder, CO · Remote

$130K - $155K/yr

Marketing Artist This is a ~30 hour/week contract position. Get into Unity , beautifully arrange ... If you utilize AI in your concept process, please let us know how, and clearly disclose pieces with ...

Graphic Artist

Randolph, TX

$145K - $174K/yr

... contract with the US Air Force (USAF). All duties must be performed on-site in Government ... Develops animation concept by studying text, layouts, sketches of proposed animations ...

$116K - $139K/yr

... contract with the US Air Force (USAF). All duties must be performed on-site in Government ... Develops animation concept by studying text, layouts, sketches of proposed animations ...

Los Angeles, CA (hybrid schedule) Duration: 3 to 6+ month contract (expected end 12/2026 ... Be able to quickly concept, prototype, and implement VFX solutions in a fast paced R&D environment.

Contract - 18 months Pay: $25-$29/hr. DOE Location: Dallas, TX Schedule: In Office Monday-Thursday ... from concept through final production. Key Responsibilities: * Collaborate with the Marketing ...

Contract - 18 months Pay: $25-$29/hr. DOE Location: Dallas, TX Schedule: In Office Monday-Thursday ... from concept through final production. Key Responsibilities: * Collaborate with the Marketing ...

Graphic Artist II 2D

Orlando, FL · On-site

$110K - $132K/yr

Creative thinker able to create concept boards. * Possess excellent organizational and ... first federal contract in 2004, we have continued to grow and diversify our services while ...

Graphic Artist II 2D

Orlando, FL

$110K - $132K/yr

Creative thinker able to create concept boards. * Possess excellent organizational and ... first federal contract in 2004, we have continued to grow and diversify our services while ...

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Contract Concept Artist information

See salary details

$120K

$132.8K

$146.5K

How much do contract concept artist jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract 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 in the Contract Concept Artist position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Concept Artist, you need strong illustration skills, creative vision, and a solid portfolio demonstrating your ability to develop original characters, environments, or props. Proficiency with digital art tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, or Sketchbook Pro is standard, and knowledge of 3D modeling software or related certifications can be beneficial. Excellent communication, adaptability, and time management are key soft skills, especially when working remotely with diverse teams and meeting tight deadlines. These competencies are essential for effectively translating a client’s ideas into compelling visual concepts while navigating the demands of project-based work.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities for a Contract Concept Artist?

As a Contract Concept Artist, your daily tasks often include creating initial sketches, refining concepts based on feedback, and producing polished illustrations for use in games, films, or marketing materials. You’ll regularly attend virtual meetings with art directors and other team members to discuss project goals and align your work with the overall visual style. Collaboration and communication are key, as you may need to revise your designs to fit client specifications or project requirements. The role usually involves working on multiple projects simultaneously, requiring good organization and time management to meet deadlines. This dynamic environment offers creative variety and frequent opportunities to expand your professional portfolio.

What is a Contract Concept Artist job?

A Contract Concept Artist is a freelance or temporary artist who creates visual concepts for characters, environments, props, or other assets for games, films, or other media. They typically work on a project-by-project basis, collaborating with art directors and design teams to bring creative visions to life. Unlike full-time employees, contract artists may work remotely or on-site for a set duration. Their responsibilities include sketching, digital painting, and refining designs based on feedback. This role requires strong artistic skills, creativity, and proficiency in industry-standard software like Photoshop or Blender.

More about Contract Concept Artist jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Concept Artist jobs? Cities with the most Contract Concept Artist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Concept Artist jobs? The most popular types of Concept Artist jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Concept Artist jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Concept Artist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Concept Artist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Concept Artist jobs are:
Infographic showing various Contract Concept Artist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 75% In-person, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,826 per year, or $63.9 per hour.
Concept Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Concept Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Nintendo

Austin, TX • On-site

$125K - $144K/yr

Other

Medical, PTO

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

THIS IS AN ONSITE CONTRACT POSITION - Austin, TX 

Position includes: 

  • Paid weekly
  • Health care benefits available
  • Paid time-off provided
  • Paid holidays observed
  • Access to Nintendo discounts

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, Artists, and Designers to define the look of our games by working to establish consistent visuals for characters, environments, props, and effects, with an emphasis on boss characters.
  • Work closely with Design to rapidly iterate gameplay thumbnails to be used in conjunction with design specifications to communicate gameplay properties, interactions and sequencing of boss characters.
  • Adopt a broad range of styles from realistic to highly stylized based on goals and direction for a given project to produce concept art with an appropriate sense of color, drama, shape language, personality, and design.
  • Take ownership of concept work for various game features while actively collaborating with other disciplines such as Design, Art, and Engineering to achieve high-quality, innovative concept art.
  • Produce boss, character, environment, and prop concept art in the form of thumbnails, sketches, breakdowns, reference sheets, paintings, and other digital imagery.
  • Provide visual contextualization support for game design efforts at all stages.
  • Perform research as necessary to support visual development.
  • Work with Art Director and Leads to provide feedback and guidance to artists.
  • Create storyboards, background illustrations, and promotional artwork.
  • Provide and receive feedback professionally. 

*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:   

  • Has 3 or more years' gaming industry experience as a concept artist, including at least one complete product cycle shipping AAA title.
  • Must present online portfolio with high-quality, varied examples of character and environment concept art.
  • Excellent 2D drawing skills with a strong grasp of composition, color theory, perspective, lighting, environment and architecture.
  • Examples of modern rendering process using 3D art and modeling tools (Maya, Blender).
  • Mastery of fundamental artistic principles.
  • Experience executing a wide range of artistic styles.
  • Good communicator, self-motivated, driven to grow professionally.
  • Undergraduate degree in art-related subject, completion of an intensive art training program, or equivalent professional 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.