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Remote Visual Artist Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$130K - $156K/yr

Remote - US and Canada only thatgamecompany designs and develops artistically crafted, broadly ... Experience implementing visual effects in an industry standard or proprietary Game Engine from ...

Remote - Creative Manager l

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$125K - $135K/yr

Establish and maintain brand standards and visual consistency. * Collaborate with marketing ... Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Design, Fine Arts, or a related field preferred.

New

Remote Visual Artist information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$37.6K

$111.1K

$157.1K

How much do remote visual artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote visual artist in Chicago, IL is $111,078.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,200.00 and $156,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a remote visual artist?

A Remote Visual Artist is a creative professional who produces visual content, such as illustrations, graphics, digital art, or animations, while working from a location outside of a traditional office or studio. They typically collaborate with clients, creative teams, or companies over the internet, using digital tools and software. Remote Visual Artists may work on a freelance basis or be employed by organizations that support remote work. This setup allows for flexibility in schedule and location while still delivering high-quality visual projects.

How does a remote visual artist typically collaborate with teams and clients while working from different locations?

Remote Visual Artists often use digital collaboration tools such as cloud-based design platforms, project management software, and video conferencing to communicate and share their work. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions are scheduled to ensure alignment with project goals and client expectations. While working remotely offers flexibility, it also requires strong communication skills and self-discipline to meet deadlines and maintain consistent quality. Building strong virtual relationships with team members and clients is crucial for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote visual artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Remote Visual Artist, you need a strong portfolio showcasing artistic proficiency, a solid understanding of design principles, and typically a degree or coursework in fine arts or graphic design. Mastery of digital illustration tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, or Corel Painter is essential, as well as experience with online collaboration platforms. Creativity, self-motivation, and excellent communication skills help remote visual artists stand out by enabling them to interpret briefs and work independently. These skills are crucial for delivering high-quality visual content, meeting client expectations, and succeeding in a remote work environment.

What is the difference between Remote Visual Artist vs Remote Graphic Designer?

AspectRemote Visual ArtistRemote Graphic Designer
CredentialsPortfolio, possibly art or design degreeDesign degree or certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentCreative studios, freelance projects, online platformsAdvertising agencies, corporate branding, freelance work
Industry UsageArt, entertainment, media, advertisingMarketing, branding, advertising, digital media
Search & ComparisonOften compared for creative roles involving visual artCommonly compared for design-focused roles in marketing

Remote Visual Artists focus on creating original artwork, illustrations, and visual concepts, often emphasizing artistic expression. Remote Graphic Designers typically work on branding, layouts, and digital designs for marketing or corporate clients. While both roles require strong visual skills and portfolios, the main difference lies in the focus: artistic creation versus commercial design.

What are popular job titles related to Remote Visual Artist jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Remote Visual Artist jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Remote Visual Artist jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Remote Visual Artist jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Remote Visual Artist job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,078 per year, or $53.4 per hour.

Technical Artist

NxT Level

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$130K - $156K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Remote – US and Canada only

thatgamecompany designs and develops artistically crafted, broadly accessible video games that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment. We respect our players and want to contribute meaningful, enriching experiences that touch and inspire them.

We seek talent that values integrity and personal growth within an environment of intense collaboration and experimentation.

Our mission - create timeless entertainment that makes positive change to the human psyche worldwide. If you’ve been wanting to have a positive impact on people's lives and the creative challenges associated with doing something different and unique, then come help us shine brighter together.

Major Responsibilities

  • Work with engineering and art teams to develop custom shaders from scratch
  • Work across several art disciplines including shading, environment art, character art, animation and general art to support as the need arises.
  • Profile and optimize shaders and VFX for optimal performance across a wide range of target platforms.
  • Lead efforts in building foundational systems for art to establish scenes, animation, rigging, FX, and material tests.
  • Coordinate with art, technical, and studio leads to help build and maintain a high-performance art pipeline from creation to final package delivery.
  • Contribute to the unique product artistic vision holding high standards for aesthetics and technical art implementation.
  • Optimizing art content for performance.

Additional Responsibilities

  • Profile and optimize shaders and VFX for optimal performance across a wide range of target platforms.
  • Working in our proprietary engine, help to establish our material and vfx pipelines.
  • Document workflows and best practices for materials and vfx

Must-Haves

  • A good understanding of shaders (HLSL and/or GLSL) and ideally able to handle supporting c++ code for those prototypes or tools if required
  • Solid experience working with shader, materials and vfx in an industry standard or proprietary game engine
  • Experience implementing visual effects in an industry standard or proprietary Game Engine from concept to completion
  • Solid experience profiling and optimizing shaders and vfx on multiple platforms
  • 3-5 or more years experience as a Technical Artist
  • Must have 3 or more years experience with Maya and modern 3D art pipelines
  • Proven experience building tools for modern art pipeline with a solid understanding of game engine scripting (ex. Unity, Unreal, Proprietary Engine)
  • Portfolio demonstrating the technical artistic ability, with a focus on custom shaders and vfx
  • Self-motivated and diligent, with established habits for tracking one’s own tasks and seeking out answers when needed

Nice to Haves

  • Writing c++ code would be a plus
  • Knowing Mel, Python, Lua, C++, is a plus
  • Understanding of animation pipelines, including character and environment systems
  • Strong communication skills and a positive and professional attitude
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience in Computer Science, 3D graphics, or related field
  • Experience working with offsite art and programming teams

Perks:

  • Paid Time Off, Holidays and Two Weeks Winter Break
  • Employees and their dependents get medical, dental, and vision coverage, regardless of their level, tenure, or position within the company. Moreover, these benefits start on the first day of the job—there’s no waiting period before they kick in.
  • Pet Insurance for those who need it too.
  • Compassionate leave for employees who needs to take care of their family members
  • Pre-tax wellness stipend
  • Pre-tax work from home stipend
  • Access our savings plan (401K program) with company match
  • Mental health resources including Headspace membership and Employee Assistance Program (CCA)
  • Discount portal for everyday goods and services
  • Employee inclusive and diversity initiatives such as Grow Together
  • Support for personal professional development