2

Entry Level Visual Development Artist Jobs in Portland, OR

Help testing and expanding upon new GenAI/traditional hybrid workflows developed by other artists ... Demonstrates excellence and inspiration in storytelling, visual comedy, and innovative thinking ...

Entry Level Finisher

Portland, OR · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

... stage of development from concept to installation. Our reputation is built on integrity and ... visual projects at scale. This is one of our busiest departments, but it's also one of our most ...

Entry Level Finisher

Portland, OR · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

... stage of development from concept to installation. Our reputation is built on integrity and ... visual projects at scale. This is one of our busiest departments, but it's also one of our most ...

Entry Level Finisher

Portland, OR · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

... stage of development from concept to installation. Our reputation is built on integrity and ... visual projects at scale. This is one of our busiest departments, but it's also one of our most ...

Software Engineer II

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$101K - $138K/yr

We power designers, artists, developers and engineers by equipping them with integrated tools to ... The candidate needs to be highly collaborative with peers, productive in a fast-paced development ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Visual Development Artist information

See Portland, OR salary details

$38.7K

$114.4K

$161.7K

How much do entry level visual development artist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level visual development artist in Portland, OR is $114,352.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,900.00 and $161,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level visual development artist?

Entry Level Visual Development Artists are creative professionals who help establish the look and feel of animated films, video games, or other visual media projects. They create concept art, mood boards, character and environment designs, and color scripts under the guidance of senior artists and art directors. At the entry level, these artists are typically recent graduates or those new to the industry, focusing on learning studio workflows and contributing to the early visual explorations that shape the final product.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level visual development artist?

To thrive as an Entry Level Visual Development Artist, you need strong foundational skills in drawing, color theory, and composition, often supported by a degree or coursework in illustration, animation, or a related field. Familiarity with digital painting tools like Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, and knowledge of industry-standard workflows are typically expected. Creativity, openness to feedback, and effective collaboration make someone stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are vital for creating visually compelling concepts that align with the creative vision and production needs of animation or game studios.

What are some typical challenges faced by entry level visual development artists in a studio setting?

Entry level visual development artists often face challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing project requirements, meeting tight deadlines, and ensuring their work aligns with the established visual style of the project. Collaboration is key, as artists frequently work with art directors, animators, and other team members to iterate on designs and incorporate feedback. Building strong communication skills and developing the ability to accept and implement critiques can help new artists succeed and grow within a studio environment.

What is the difference between Entry Level Visual Development Artist vs Entry Level Concept Artist?

AspectEntry Level Visual Development ArtistEntry Level Concept Artist
CredentialsPortfolio, basic art skills, possibly a degree in art or related fieldPortfolio, strong drawing skills, often a degree in art or design
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, game development, film productionVideo game studios, animation, film pre-production
Industry UsageUsed in animation, gaming, film to develop visual styleUsed in gaming, film to create initial character and environment concepts

Both roles involve creating visual assets, but the Visual Development Artist focuses on establishing the overall look and style, while the Concept Artist specializes in designing characters and environments during early project phases. Entry Level Visual Development Artists often work closely with concept artists but have a broader scope in visual style development.

How much does an entry level visual development artist make?

Entry level visual development artists typically earn between $40,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on location, company, and portfolio quality. Starting salaries may be lower in some regions, but with skills in digital painting, concept art, and tools like Photoshop or SketchUp, new artists can increase their earning potential as they gain experience.

What do you need to be an entry level visual development artist?

To become an entry-level visual development artist, you typically need a strong portfolio showcasing your artistic skills, proficiency in digital art tools such as Photoshop or SketchUp, and a foundational understanding of color, composition, and design principles. A relevant degree in art, illustration, or a related field is often preferred, along with good communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a creative environment.

What does an entry level visual development artist do?

An entry level visual development artist creates concept art, character designs, and environment sketches to establish the visual style of a project. They collaborate with art directors and use tools like Photoshop or other digital painting software to develop ideas for animation, games, or films. This role often involves learning industry workflows and refining artistic skills through practice and feedback.

What are the most commonly searched types of Visual Development Artist jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Visual Development Artist jobs in Portland, OR are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Visual Development Artist jobs in Portland, OR?

For Entry Level Visual Development Artist jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Visual Development Artist jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Visual Development Artist jobs in Portland, OR are:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Visual Development Artist job openings in Portland, OR as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, and 19% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $114,352 per year, or $55 per hour.

CG Experimental Artist- Ink

Vancouver, WA • On-site

Netflix
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation • 5 - 10K employees

$47.01/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago


Netflix rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

71st of 78 rated media


Job description

At Netflix, our mission is to entertain the world. Together, we partner with creators as they experiment with a range of cutting-edge tools that bridge innovation with imaginative storytelling. Come join Inkubator to shape what's next and explore the creative possibilities.

Position Summary

We are seeking early career CG Experimental Artists to join our pioneering team creating animated shorts and specials using experimental GenAI-native production pipelines. Working alongside our growing team of artists, this role will specifically support experienced CG Experimental artists as they develop feature-quality content in a creator-led environment. You'll help the team execute the tasks needed to build new workflows and bring shots to life in production - a great fit for recent graduates looking to break into the space. Our other CG Experimental Artist role can be found HERE.

Key Responsibilities
  • Support a team of CG and Generative AI experts to develop unique content for animated shorts and specials, leveraging a GenAI-native pipeline that combines generative AI tools with traditional animation techniques.

  • Contribute to the creation of short stories in a fast-paced production environment.

  • Support CG artists in the creation of shot-ready assets (e.g., characters, props, environments) using a combination of generative tools and traditional DCCs (Photoshop, Maya, Houdini, Harmony, Blender, etc.)

  • Help to build datasets of assets, images, and videos to support in the building and fine tuning of generative image and video models

  • Use GenAI tools such as ComfyUI to help artists generate concept frames, style frames, character explorations, and environment designs based on scripts, outlines, or verbal direction.

  • Test and evaluate the latest generative tooling and be open to testing new technology throughout the development process.

  • Help testing and expanding upon new GenAI/traditional hybrid workflows developed by other artists and technology teams

Qualifications
  • Experience with ComfyUI and traditional CG 2D and/or 3D DCCs such as Photoshop, Maya, Houdini, Harmony, and/or Blender

  • Conceptual understanding of diffusion-based rendering and animation techniques. Experience training image LoRAs, video LoRAs, and similar are a plus.

  • Experience with the creation of animation assets, and techniques like image editing, masking, etc.

  • Strong collaborative skills and ability to work in a team environment in support of other artists, in rapidly evolving, experimental pipelines.

  • Strong organizational and communication skills are a plus

  • Passion for storytelling and animation with a portfolio showcasing the ability to create compelling narratives using AI tools. Demonstrates excellence and inspiration in storytelling, visual comedy, and innovative thinking, with a strong understanding of how to leverage generative AI tools to enhance creative storytelling.

  • Ability to adapt to new technologies and tools and quickly pivot in this fast-moving field where workflows and creative approaches are being developed in real time.

  • High level of independence and initiative, as production support structures and workflows will be evolving alongside the creative process.

This job may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement. If so, pay for the position is governed by the currently effective applicable collective bargaining agreement and thus will be no less than $47.01 an hour and up to any better conditions and terms negotiated and obtained as expressly provided therein.

Depending on whether you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, INK benefits can include medical/dental/vision plans, mental health support, retirement programs, and family-forming benefits, paid leave of absence programs, and paid time away programs to be used for vacation and sick paid time off.

Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.


What Netflix employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Netflix logo

About Netflix

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Gatos, CA, US

Year founded

1997