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Texture Look Development Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... look and feel of fully realized worlds that enhance storytelling and create a rich cinematic ... textures and surface details are a plus) * Generate work across all stages of development ...

... look and feel of fully realized worlds that enhance storytelling and create a rich cinematic ... textures and surface details are a plus) * Generate work across all stages of development ...

Model, sculpt, texture, and optimize assets for use in Unreal Engine, ensuring they meet gameplay ... Participate in look development and R&D to elevate visual fidelity while balancing performance ...

Model, sculpt, texture, and optimize assets for use in Unreal Engine, ensuring they meet gameplay ... Participate in look development and R&D to elevate visual fidelity while balancing performance ...

Model, sculpt, texture, and optimize assets for use in Unreal Engine, ensuring they meet gameplay ... Participate in look development and R&D to elevate visual fidelity while balancing performance ...

Realize the Vision - Elevate high quality 3D character models by optimizing textures and shaders to ... Skilled in look development and lighting for photorealistic renders * Skilled in replicating ...

Realize the Vision - Elevate high quality 3D character models by optimizing textures and shaders to ... Skilled in look development and lighting for photorealistic renders * Skilled in replicating ...

Senior Lighting Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$130K - $156K/yr

Realize the Vision - Elevate high quality 3D character models by optimizing textures, shaders and ... Mastery of look development and lighting for photorealistic renders, including human skin, eyes ...

Senior Lighting Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$130K - $156K/yr

Realize the Vision - Elevate high quality 3D character models by optimizing textures, shaders and ... Mastery of look development and lighting for photorealistic renders, including human skin, eyes ...

Contribute to early visual development, look development, and R&D when needed. * Stay informed on ... Strong understanding of visual language, including texture, color, dimension, scale, perspective ...

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Texture Look Development Artist information

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$11K

$153K

How much do texture look development artist jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for texture look development artist in the United States is $152,000.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $152,000.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Texture Look Development Artist typically collaborate with other departments during a production?

Texture Look Development Artists work closely with modelers, lighting artists, and shading teams to ensure surfaces and materials look authentic and meet the project's visual requirements. They often participate in review sessions where feedback is shared and adjustments are made to achieve the desired look. Clear communication and the ability to interpret artistic direction are essential, as you'll need to address technical challenges while maintaining creative vision. Collaboration often happens through digital asset management systems and regular meetings, where updates and issues are discussed as the project progresses.

What is a Texture Look Development Artist?

A Texture Look Development Artist is a professional in the visual effects, animation, or gaming industry who specializes in creating and refining the surface qualities of 3D models. They are responsible for painting textures and developing the appearance of materials such as skin, fabric, metal, and other surfaces to ensure they look realistic or stylized according to the project's requirements. This role combines artistic skills with technical knowledge to achieve visually compelling results that meet the creative vision of the project. Texture Look Development Artists work closely with modelers, lighting artists, and other team members to ensure the final assets integrate seamlessly into the production pipeline.

What is the difference between Texture Look Development Artist vs Texture Artist?

AspectTexture Look Development ArtistTexture Artist
Primary FocusCreating and refining the visual style and material properties of textures to achieve a specific lookApplying textures to 3D models based on provided references and specifications
Skills & ToolsAdvanced shading, material creation, rendering techniques, software like Substance Painter, MariUV mapping, texturing, Photoshop, Substance Painter
Work EnvironmentCollaborates closely with lighting, shading, and look development teams in film, animation, or game projectsWorks mainly on texturing models, often under direction from look dev artists or art directors

The Texture Look Development Artist focuses on creating and defining the overall material and visual style of textures, ensuring they fit the artistic vision. In contrast, the Texture Artist applies textures to models based on specifications. Both roles require strong skills in texturing software, but the look development artist emphasizes artistic direction and material creation, while the texture artist concentrates on technical application.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Texture Look Development Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Texture Look Development Artist, you need expertise in digital painting, UV mapping, shading, and a strong understanding of material properties, often supported by a degree in art, animation, or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, Substance Painter, Mari, and rendering engines is essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong problem-solving skills help artists deliver visually compelling and realistic assets. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing high-quality visual content that meets both artistic and technical requirements in animation, VFX, and gaming industries.
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What states have the most Texture Look Development Artist jobs? States with the most job openings for Texture Look Development Artist jobs include:
Visual Development Artist

Visual Development Artist

Skydance

Santa Monica, CA

$2K - $4K/wk

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Visual Development Artist to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will help shape the worlds our story takes place in by developing compelling, immersive environments that support narrative, mood, themes, and character.

You will generate a wide range of visual development materials, including environmental designs, drawings, models, floor plans, and set dressing elements, all while ensuring consistency with the film’s established style, story themes, and overall visual quality. Working closely with Production Designer, art department, and creative leadership you will help define the look and feel of fully realized worlds that enhance storytelling and create a rich cinematic experience.

The ideal candidate has a strong sense of design, composition, and storytelling through environments, with the ability to translate narrative needs into believable, visually engaging spaces.

Previous experience on a feature animated film is required. 

This position is based in Los Angeles, California, and requires the selected candidate to work in an on-site hybrid capacity.

Responsibilities
  • Create art for project concepts, environments, set designs, and related visual development elements (textures and surface details are a plus)
  • Generate work across all stages of development, including sketches, rough explorations, refined designs, and final environment concepts
  • Develop environment designs, including turnarounds, floor plans, and layout studies to support spatial storytelling and production needs
  • Create set dressing and environmental detail callouts to help define world-building elements and visual continuity
  • Produce 2D and/or CG visual development models to explore scale, composition, and cinematic staging of environments
  • Conduct visual and narrative research to inform design decisions and ensure environments feel grounded, intentional, and story-driven
  • Develop presentation materials that clearly communicate design intent, mood, and storytelling purpose
  • Brainstorm and explore inventive environmental ideas that enhance storytelling, deepen world-building, and reinforce tone and emotion
  • Apply strong knowledge of architecture, landscape design, and spatial composition to create believable and engaging environments
  • Contribute creative solutions, respond effectively to feedback, and iterate on designs throughout production
  • Meet production schedules and deadlines while maintaining a high level of artistic quality and consistency
  • Maintain organized files following show-specific versioning and naming conventions
  • Proactively communicate questions, issues, or production concerns to supervisors and production staff
  • Revise and resubmit work as needed based on feedback from the Production Designer or Art Department leadership
  • Collaborate closely with the Production Designer, art team, leadership, and production staff regarding status updates, progress, and any production challenges
Requirements
  • 8+ years of experience in environment design/ visual development on animated feature films
  • Strong visual storytelling skills, with the ability to design environments that support narrative, mood, and character action
  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to present work clearly and respond effectively to feedback
  • Strong understanding of architecture, perspective, composition, and spatial design
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaboratively within a team environment
  • Adaptable and responsive to evolving creative direction and production needs
  • Working knowledge of Autodesk Maya, Blender, or ZBrush is a plus
  • Must be, or be willing to become, a member of The Animation Guild Local 839
The compensation range for this non-exempt position in Los Angeles, CA is $2,900-4,000/week. The rate offered may vary based on the candidate’s location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors.  The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc. 
 
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