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Trainee 2D Concept Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nintendo

Concept Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Austin, TX · On-site

$125K - $144K/yr

Has 3 or more years' gaming industry experience as a concept artist, including at least one ... Excellent 2D drawing skills with a strong grasp of composition, color theory, perspective, lighting ...

Macy's

Concept Artist, Parade Studio

Moonachie, NJ · On-site

$22.64 - $39.67/hr

Job Overview The Seasonal Concept Artist develops and presents design concepts for the production ... Develop files in both 2D and 3D formats, including virtual files and occasionally physical models

Macy's

Concept Artist, Parade Studio

Moonachie, NJ

$22.64 - $39.67/hr

Job Overview The Seasonal Concept Artist develops and presents design concepts for the production ... Develop files in both 2D and 3D formats, including virtual files and occasionally physical models

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 2D Artist

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$20 - $50/hr

... seeking a talented 2D Roblox Artist excited to support the visual development of our Roblox ... Concept Development: Collaborate with the creative team to brainstorm and develop visual concepts ...

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 2D Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$20 - $50/hr

... seeking a talented 2D Roblox Artist excited to support the visual development of our Roblox ... Concept Development: Collaborate with the creative team to brainstorm and develop visual concepts ...

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 2D Artist

Los Angeles, CA

$20 - $50/hr

... seeking a talented 2D Roblox Artist excited to support the visual development of our Roblox ... Concept Development: Collaborate with the creative team to brainstorm and develop visual concepts ...

Valicy

3D Artist

Wilmington, NC

A solid grasp of form, color, and light for both 2D and 3D art assets is essential. The 3D Artist ... Produce concept sketches and quick edits to communicate artistic concepts with the team.

Arrow International, Inc

Senior Artist

$130K - $155K/yr

You will be involved in every stage of game development, from concept exploration and visual ... Create and animate high-quality 2D game assets and VFX. * Ensure timely delivery of assets to meet ...

Arrow International Inc

Senior Artist

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$123K - $147K/yr

You will be involved in every stage of game development, from concept exploration and visual ... Create and animate high-quality 2D game assets and VFX. * Ensure timely delivery of assets to meet ...

Sunshine Minting

Artist & Designer

Coeur D Alene, ID

$124K - $148K/yr

Apply knowledge and expertise to prepare complex artwork including 2D/3D renderings and models from ... Word, Excel * Concept and graphic design skills * Able to set priorities and meet deadlines.

Sunshine Minting

Artist & Designer

Henderson, NV · On-site

Apply knowledge and expertise to prepare complex artwork including 2D/3D renderings and models from ... Word, Excel * Concept and graphic design skills * Able to set priorities and meet deadlines.

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Trainee 2D Concept Artist information

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$120K

$132.8K

$146.5K

How much do trainee 2d concept artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for trainee 2d concept artist in the United States is $132,826.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,000.00 and $146,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Trainee 2D Concept Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Trainee 2D Concept Artist, you need strong drawing fundamentals, a good understanding of color, composition, and anatomy, often supported by a relevant art degree or portfolio. Familiarity with digital illustration tools like Adobe Photoshop or Procreate is typically required. Creativity, openness to feedback, and effective communication help you collaborate with art directors and other team members. These skills are crucial for producing imaginative, production-ready artwork that supports the visual development of games or animations.

What is a Trainee 2D Concept Artist?

A Trainee 2D Concept Artist is an entry-level professional who assists in creating visual representations of ideas for video games, films, or animations. They typically work under the supervision of senior artists to develop character designs, environments, props, and other visual elements in 2D form. This role is designed for individuals who are building their portfolios and gaining industry experience, often learning industry-standard software and workflows on the job. Trainee 2D Concept Artists play a crucial role in the early stages of creative projects, helping to establish the look and feel of a production.

What are some common challenges faced by Trainee 2D Concept Artists when transitioning from personal projects to professional studio work?

Trainee 2D Concept Artists often find that adapting to studio workflows, meeting tight deadlines, and incorporating feedback from multiple team members can be challenging compared to personal projects. In a professional environment, there's a strong emphasis on consistency with the project's style guide and collaborating closely with art directors, game designers, and other artists. Learning to iterate quickly based on constructive criticism and balancing creativity with project requirements are key skills that trainees develop as they gain experience. The collaborative nature of studio work also means effective communication and openness to feedback are essential for growth and success.
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Trainee 2D Concept Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Trainee 2D Concept Artist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,826 per year, or $63.9 per hour.

Concept Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Nintendo

Austin, TX

$125K - $144K/yr

Other

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago

Nintendo rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

153rd of 241 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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