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Internship Visual Development Artist Jobs in Texas

Concept Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Austin, TX · On-site

$125K - $144K/yr

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 ...

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Internship Visual Development Artist information

What is an Internship Visual Development Artist?

An Internship Visual Development Artist is a student or recent graduate who assists in creating the look and feel of animated films, games, or other visual media. They work under the guidance of senior artists to develop concept art, color scripts, environments, characters, and props that define the project's artistic direction. The internship provides hands-on experience in a professional studio setting, allowing interns to build their portfolios and learn industry-standard tools and workflows.

What types of projects and collaborations can an Internship Visual Development Artist expect during their internship?

As an Internship Visual Development Artist, you will typically work on a variety of projects, ranging from concept art for characters and environments to mood boards and color scripts for upcoming productions. Interns often collaborate closely with art directors, storyboard artists, and 3D modelers, participating in team meetings and creative reviews. This collaborative environment helps interns gain insight into the full animation pipeline and develop strong communication skills. It's common to receive mentorship and constructive feedback, which supports both technical growth and creative development throughout the internship.

What is the difference between Internship Visual Development Artist vs Visual Development Artist?

AspectInternship Visual Development ArtistVisual Development Artist
CredentialsTypically enrolled in or recently graduated from relevant art or design programsProfessional degree or equivalent experience in art, illustration, or design
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, entry-level projects, supervised tasksFull-time employment, independent project work, collaborative teams
Industry UsageUsed by studios for training and talent scoutingEstablished role in animation, gaming, film industries
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level opportunities and training rolesSeeking professional roles and career progression

The main difference between an Internship Visual Development Artist and a Visual Development Artist is experience and responsibility. Internships are designed for students or recent graduates gaining industry exposure, often with supervised tasks. Full-time Visual Development Artists are experienced professionals responsible for creating concept art, character designs, and environment visuals independently within a collaborative team environment.

How much do DreamWorks interns get paid?

DreamWorks internship visual development artists typically receive stipends or hourly pay, with compensation varying based on location and program duration. Interns often work full-time during the summer and may be required to have relevant skills in drawing, design, or digital tools like Photoshop or Maya.

How much does a visual development artist make?

A visual development artist typically earns between $50,000 and $85,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level artists may start lower, while those with several years of experience or specialized skills in tools like Photoshop or SketchUp can earn higher salaries.

What is a visual design internship?

A visual development artist internship is a temporary position where interns assist in creating concept art, character designs, and environment visuals for projects such as films, games, or animations. Interns typically use tools like Photoshop or SketchUp and gain hands-on experience in the creative process under professional supervision.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Internship Visual Development Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Visual Development Artist, you need a strong foundation in drawing, composition, color theory, and an understanding of visual storytelling, often demonstrated through a portfolio and relevant art education. Familiarity with digital painting tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, or Procreate is typically expected. Creativity, openness to feedback, and strong collaboration skills help you stand out in team-based creative environments. These skills are crucial for effectively contributing to the visual style of projects and adapting to the fast-paced demands of animation or game development studios.

What are the three careers you can follow as a visual artist?

As a visual development artist, you can pursue careers such as concept artist, character designer, or environment artist. These roles involve creating visual assets for entertainment industries like film, animation, and video games, often requiring skills in digital painting and familiarity with tools like Photoshop and Maya.
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Concept Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Concept Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Nintendo

Austin, TX

$125K - $144K/yr

Other

Medical, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Nintendo rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

83rd of 202 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. 


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