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Story Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Unreal Technical Artist

New Orleans, LA · On-site

$122K - $146K/yr

Swaybox Studios is rewriting the rulebook of visual storytelling. As we collaborate with DC Studios ... Unreal Technical Artist Location: New Orleans, LA Studio: Swaybox Studios Department: VFX ...

Become a brand ambassador by confidently sharing POP MART's story, artist collaborations, collectible characters, product collections, promotions, and membership program. * Educate customers on our ...

Sales Associate - (Part time)

New York, NY · On-site

$16.50 - $18.75/hr

Become a brand ambassador by confidently sharing POP MART's story, artist collaborations, collectible characters, product collections, promotions, and membership program. * Educate customers on our ...

Senior Environment Artist

Boston, MA · On-site

$99K - $163K/yr

Company Description To create revolutionary, story-driven RPGs which go straight to the hearts of ... Artists should include a portfolio to their application. Responsibilities: * Design and execute ...

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Story Artist information

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$30.5K

$129.5K

$152.5K

How much do story artist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for story artist in the United States is $129,541.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,000.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a story artist?

Story artists are creative professionals who visualize scripts, concepts, or ideas into a sequence of drawings known as storyboards. They work closely with directors, writers, and animators to map out how the story will unfold visually, helping to plan camera angles, character actions, and scene transitions. Story artists play a crucial role in animation, film, and video game production by ensuring that the narrative flows smoothly and effectively before production begins. Their work serves as a blueprint for the entire creative team.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a story artist?

To thrive as a Story Artist, you need strong drawing skills, storytelling ability, and a solid understanding of cinematic language, often supported by a degree in animation, illustration, or a related field. Proficiency with digital art tools like Photoshop, Storyboard Pro, and familiarity with animation pipelines is essential. Creativity, collaboration, and the ability to accept and apply feedback are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are crucial for visually communicating narrative ideas, contributing to cohesive storytelling, and working effectively within production teams.

How do story artists typically collaborate with directors and other departments during a production?

Story Artists work closely with directors to translate scripts into visual sequences, often participating in story meetings to refine narrative and pacing. They also interact with writers, editors, and other artists to ensure their storyboards align with the overall vision. Collaboration often involves receiving feedback and making revisions, as well as communicating ideas clearly to departments like layout, animation, and design. This teamwork is essential for maintaining consistency and achieving the creative goals of the project.

What is the difference between Story Artist vs Character Designer?

AspectStory ArtistCharacter Designer
Required SkillsStorytelling, sketching, visual storytelling, understanding of narrative flowCharacter drawing, design, anatomy, personality development
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, film production, story development teamsAnimation studios, character design departments, concept art teams
Industry UsageCreates storyboards to visualize scenes and sequencesDesigns characters for animation, film, and games

While both roles are integral to animation and film production, a Story Artist focuses on visual storytelling through storyboards, illustrating scenes and narrative flow. A Character Designer specializes in creating and developing characters' appearances and personalities. Both roles require artistic skills, but their focus areas differ, with Story Artists emphasizing storytelling and scene visualization, and Character Designers concentrating on character creation and design.

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What cities are hiring for Story Artist jobs?

Cities with the most Story Artist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Story Artist jobs?

The most popular types of Story Artist jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Story Artist jobs?

The top employers for Story Artist jobs are:

What states have the most Story Artist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Story Artist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Story Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Locum Tenens, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,541 per year, or $62.3 per hour.

Senior Illustration Artist - Riftbound

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

As part of the Illustration team, you'll put stylus to Cintiq and create promotional art that represents the essence of a Champion, thematic, or gameplay to millions of players. You will use your artistic eye and experience with dynamic lighting, form, and color to tell concise and evocative stories. By working with a team of dedicated illustrators, visual designers, writers, animators, and game developers, you will help decide and illustrate each character's unique place in our universe.
As a Senior Illustration Artist on the Riftbound team, you will play an important role in delivering high-quality card illustrations. Working closely with the Art Director and cross-disciplinary partners, you will help plan, brief, and deliver card art across multiple future sets, ensuring each illustration supports the creative vision, gameplay needs, and production standards. You will create clear art briefs and provide thoughtful, actionable feedback to external artists, guiding artwork from early concept through final, print-ready delivery. Drawing on a strong understanding of illustration fundamentals and visual storytelling, you will help maintain a consistent quality bar for Riftbound and contribute to creating memorable imagery within the League of Legends universe. Additionally, while working within the constraints of physical trading card production, you will apply your knowledge of print processes, color management, and readability to help ensure artwork reproduces beautifully and consistently at scale. You will collaborate closely with designers to ensure art reinforces gameplay goals, and with visual designers to ensure illustrations complement frames, typography, and other graphic elements. You will translate creative direction into clear, actionable briefs and artist-facing documentation, provide craft guidance and feedback to external partners, and collaborate with producers and other disciplines to deliver cohesive, compelling card sets. You will report to the project's Art Director.
Responsibilities:
  • Create clear, compelling art briefs that translate Riftbound's artistic vision into actionable direction for external illustrators
  • Provide thoughtful, craft-focused feedback to external artists, helping guide illustrations from concept through final delivery
  • Apply strong judgment in illustration fundamentals, composition, color, and storytelling to elevate artwork quality
  • Collaborate closely with the Art Director to understand, uphold, and contribute to Riftbound's illustration art direction
  • Help maintain consistency and quality across artwork while identifying opportunities to improve individual illustrations
  • Ensure card art supports gameplay clarity, mechanics, and readability in close partnership with game designers
  • Work with visual designers to ensure illustrations complement frames, typography, and other graphic elements
  • Review artwork for consistency, polish, and fidelity to the League of Legends IP
  • Support the planning and delivery of card art across multiple future sets, helping ensure creative goals and schedules are met
  • Apply knowledge of print production, color management, and physical card constraints to deliver print-ready artwork
  • Partner cross-functionally with producers, designers, external artists, and other disciplines to deliver cohesive, globally appealing card sets
  • Share craft knowledge and provide feedback to teammates and external partners, contributing to a collaborative and supportive art team

Required Qualifications:
  • 6+years of professional experience in illustration, or a related creative discipline
  • Experience working with providing clear, actionable, and constructive artistic feedback for external vendors or outsourcing partners
  • Strong illustration craft skills with a portfolio that demonstrates a broad range of artistic styles
  • Strong foundation in illustration fundamentals, including anatomy, composition, lighting, color theory, and visual storytelling
  • Experience creating clear creative briefs and working within established style guides and visual frameworks
  • Experience with production pipelines for physical goods and print, including vendor collaboration and asset delivery
  • Experience working within video game development pipelines, from concept through final implementation
  • Ability to balance creative quality, production requirements, feedback, and deadlines across multiple pieces of artwork

Desired Qualifications:
  • BA in illustration, fine arts, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
  • Knowledge of print processes, color management, and physical production constraints
  • Familiarity with the League of Legends universe and its visual language

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this could be your role!
Our Perks:
Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.
At Riot Games, we put players first . That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we're better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.
It's our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.
Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:
  • Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
  • Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
  • Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
  • Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.
  • (Los Angeles Only) Base salary range between $150,000.00 - $209,600.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.

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About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

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