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Surfacing Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Side

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

$123K - $130K/yr

Create high-quality 3D character assets, including organic and hard surface elements, from concept ... Artistic Skills : * Strong eye for detail, form, and style consistency. * Ability to adapt to and ...

Golden Artist Colors

Material Handler - 1st shift

New Berlin, NY · On-site

$16 - $19.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Golden Artist Colors is a manufacturer of art materials revered by professional and aspiring ... Continuous standing/walking on concrete surface. * Occasional climbing of stairs/ladders and on/off ...

Deka Lash

Lash Artist

Akron, OH · On-site

$18 - $35/hr

We are looking for the best lash artist/esthetician in the area to join our team of top tier lash ... equipment / surfaces) * Regular disinfecting and sanitation procedures multiple times a day

Surface Experts

Artistic Technician Apprentice

Centennial, CO · On-site

$18 - $23/hr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

At Surface Experts, your artistic instincts aren't a hobby you leave at home. They're the whole job. Every repair is a tiny, one-of-a-kind puzzle: a different color to match, a different sheen to ...

CL THOMAS GROUP

Sandwich Artist # 107 Manor, TX

Manor, TX · On-site

$12.25 - $15/hr

Keep all glass/guards, work surfaces and display/holding cases clean. * Restock condiments/supplies ... The Sandwich Artist maybe asked to participate in any other related task or activity which ...

CL THOMAS GROUP

Sandwich Artist # 14 Beaumont, TX

Beaumont, TX · On-site

$9.25 - $11.50/hr

Keep all glass/guards, work surfaces and display/holding cases clean. * Restock condiments/supplies ... The Sandwich Artist maybe asked to participate in any other related task or activity which ...

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Surfacing Artist information

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$13

$51

$190

How much do surfacing artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for surfacing artist in the United States is $51.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.91 and $38.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a surfacing artist?

A Surfacing Artist is a professional in the animation, visual effects, or video game industries responsible for creating the textures, materials, and finishes that define the look and feel of 3D models. They apply color, patterns, and surface qualities to characters, environments, and props, ensuring they appear realistic or stylized as required by the project. Surfacing Artists work closely with modelers, lighting artists, and art directors to achieve the desired visual outcome. Their work is crucial for making digital assets look believable and appealing on screen.

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

To thrive as a Surfacing Artist, you need a solid understanding of texture painting, shading, and material definition, usually supported by a degree in art, animation, or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Substance Painter, Photoshop, and rendering engines like Arnold or RenderMan is typically required. Strong attention to detail, creativity, and collaboration skills help artists produce visually compelling surfaces that match the project's artistic vision. These skills ensure assets look realistic or stylistically appropriate, directly impacting the quality and believability of digital environments and characters.

How to become a surfacing artist?

To become a surfacing artist, you typically need a background in 3D modeling, texturing, or digital art, often gained through a relevant degree or self-study. Proficiency in industry-standard tools like Substance Painter, Photoshop, or Mari is essential, along with a strong portfolio demonstrating your skills. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions in game or film production can also help establish your career in surfacing art.

What is the difference between Surfacing Artist vs Texture Artist?

AspectSurfacing ArtistTexture Artist
CredentialsTypically requires a background in 3D modeling, texturing, and digital art, often with a focus on surfacing techniquesRequires skills in texturing, shading, and material creation, often with similar software knowledge
Work EnvironmentWorks primarily in 3D modeling and rendering pipelines within game or film studiosWorks in digital art and texturing departments, often collaborating closely with modeling and lighting teams
Industry UsageCommonly used in game development, film, and animation for creating detailed surface qualitiesUsed across similar industries for adding surface detail and realism to models

While both roles involve creating surface details for 3D assets, Surfacing Artists focus on defining the look and feel of surfaces, including materials and finishes, whereas Texture Artists primarily apply textures to models to add detail and realism. Both roles require similar skills and often overlap, but their specific focus areas differ within the pipeline.

What are some common challenges surfacing artists face when ensuring visual consistency across different assets?

Surfacing Artists often work on multiple assets that need to look cohesive within a project’s visual style, which can be challenging due to varying lighting conditions, asset types, and technical limitations. Achieving consistent textures and materials requires close collaboration with modelers, lighting artists, and art directors, as well as a strong understanding of the project’s shaders and rendering pipeline. Staying organized and maintaining clear documentation of texture maps and naming conventions helps streamline the process and minimize inconsistencies.
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Surfacing Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Surfacing Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,858 per year, or $51.4 per hour.

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

Side

Charleston, SC

$113K - $118K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

About This Opportunity

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you express interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

These opportunities are contingent on client needs and project availability. As projects are initiated or client proposals are developed, we will review candidates from this pool and contact those who most closely align with the specific requirements of the co-development opportunity.

As a 3D Character Artist, you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring life and personality to our projects. This mid-level generalist role focuses on modeling, texturing, and optimizing character assets across a variety of styles for AAA-quality games on PC, console, mobile, and VR/AR platforms.

How We Keep You Engaged

We maintain strong relationships with our talent pool by providing regular updates, industry insights, and information on upcoming opportunities. We will check in to confirm your availability and interest.

Our hiring teams carefully vet and select top candidates who best meet project needs, ensuring that you are matched with the right opportunity when it becomes available.

Next Steps

If you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge projects and want to be considered for future co-development opportunities, we encourage you to apply to this listing. While there may not be an immediate opening, your application ensures that you will be part of our ongoing talent review for upcoming roles.

Key Responsibilities

  • Create high-quality 3D character assets, including organic and hard surface elements, from concept to final game-ready models.
  • Collaborate with art leads, designers, and animators to ensure characters align with the project's artistic vision and technical requirements.
  • Develop textures and materials using industry-standard tools, ensuring assets are optimized for performance across platforms.
  • Work within established pipelines and workflows to maintain consistency and efficiency in asset creation.
  • Ensure proper topology, rigging, and skinning for characters to meet animation and gameplay requirements.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges related to character development.
  • Actively participate in team critiques, offering and receiving feedback to refine assets.

Requirements

Experience:

    • 3+ years of experience as a Character Artist in the video game industry.
    • Demonstrated contribution to at least one shipped title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR.

Technical Skills:

    • Proficiency with ZBrush, Maya, 3ds Max, Substance Painter, Photoshop, and other industry-standard tools.
    • Strong understanding of anatomy, proportion, weight, and volume as they relate to character design and animation.
    • Experience with high- and low-poly modeling, texturing, and shading techniques.
    • Knowledge of proper topology, rigging, and skinning practices.

Artistic Skills:

    • Strong eye for detail, form, and style consistency.
    • Ability to adapt to and create a range of visual styles, from realistic to stylized.

Collaboration Skills:

    • Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
    • Ability to incorporate feedback and iterate effectively.

Passion for Gaming: Genuine enthusiasm for creating compelling characters and contributing to immersive game worlds.

Preferred Skills

  • Familiarity with Marvelous Designer for clothing design and simulation.
  • Experience with photogrammetry and procedural workflows.
  • Knowledge of Unreal Engine or Unity for integrating character assets into the game.

Note: Specific requirements may vary depending on project needs.

Benefits

About Side 
Side (formerly PTW) is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years' experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 20 studios in 14 countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. 

Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets. 

Experience our side of life. For more information, visit www.side.inc

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