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

Position Summary We are seeking a Senior Artist to join our Visual Development Team. The Senior Artist will use their artistic expertise with color, composition, shape, typography, animation, visual ...

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80 - $120K/hr

Position Summary We are seeking a Senior Artist to join our Visual Development Team. The Senior Artist will use their artistic expertise with color, composition, shape, typography, animation, visual ...

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80 - $120K/hr

Position Summary We are seeking a Senior Artist to join our Visual Development Team. The Senior Artist will use their artistic expertise with color, composition, shape, typography, animation, visual ...

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130K - $156K/yr

Experience implementing visual effects in an industry standard or proprietary Game Engine from ... Support for personal professional development

Technical Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$130K - $156K/yr

Experience implementing visual effects in an industry standard or proprietary Game Engine from ... Support for personal professional development

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Visual Development Artist information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$37.6K

$111.2K

$157.2K

How much do visual development artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for visual development artist in Chicago, IL is $111,166.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,200.00 and $156,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a visual development artist?

A Visual Development Artist creates the overall look and feel of a project by designing characters, environments, props, and color schemes. They work closely with directors and art teams in animation, film, and gaming to establish a cohesive visual style. Their work helps guide the production team in bringing the story to life. This role requires strong artistic skills, creativity, and knowledge of digital painting and design tools.

What does a visual development artist do?

As a Visual Development Artist, your day often begins by reviewing project briefs and collaborating with the art director or other team members to align on creative direction. You’ll spend a significant portion of your time sketching, painting, and revising environment designs, characters, or color scripts, either digitally or traditionally. Regular feedback sessions with the team are common, providing opportunities to iterate and improve your work. Throughout the day, you may also research visual references and ensure your designs are consistent with the project’s overall style and story. This mix of creative independent work and collaborative interaction is key to shaping the visual identity of the project.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a visual development artist?

To thrive as a Visual Development Artist, you need strong skills in drawing, color theory, composition, and storytelling, often backed by a degree in art or a related field. Proficiency with digital painting tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, and knowledge of 3D software like Blender or Maya is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and effective communication are crucial soft skills, helping you translate concepts into compelling visuals and collaborate with other team members. These abilities enable you to contribute high-quality visual assets that guide the look and feel of animation, film, or game projects.

How much do visual development artists make?

The average salary for a visual development artist ranges from $50,000 to $90,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level artists typically earn lower wages, while those with advanced skills in digital tools like Photoshop and Maya can command higher salaries.

What do you need to be a visual development artist?

A visual development artist typically needs strong artistic skills, including drawing, painting, and design, along with proficiency in digital tools such as Photoshop or SketchUp. A relevant portfolio demonstrating concept art and visual storytelling is essential, and a background in fine arts, illustration, or animation can be beneficial. Knowledge of industry workflows and collaboration with other creative teams is also important.

What are the most commonly searched types of Visual Development Artist jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Visual Development Artist jobs in Chicago, IL are:

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Visual Development Artist job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 8% Temporary. Highlights an 84% In-person, 8% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,166 per year, or $53.4 per hour.
Arrow International, Inc.
Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees

$80 - $120K/hr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Description

Join the Fun at Arrow International!

Arrow International is the world's #1 maker of charitable gaming products, from pull tabs and bingo paper to cutting-edge electronic gaming systems. Our products power entertainment in social and gaming venues around the globe, and we're growing fast!


We're building a winning culture that's all about teamwork, passion, and innovation. At Arrow, you're not just another employee, you're part of a high-performing team that's redefining fun and giving back to communities. We believe in rewarding your hard work with profit-sharing, 401(k) matching, great benefits, and paid time off, including a bonus week every July!


If you're looking for a career that's exciting, meaningful, and full of opportunity, Arrow is the place to be. 


Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior Artist to join our Visual Development Team. The Senior Artist will use their artistic expertise with color, composition, shape, typography, animation, visual FX and character design skills to help push our games to new heights. You'll play a key role in the overall development of our games' look and style, ensure creative alignment, and maintain a high standard of work. The ideal candidate will have experience providing feedback, solving creative challenges, and driving visual consistency across projects.


Salary range commensurate with experience. This role provides competitive benefits including an annual performance bonus, profit sharing program, and a 401K with company match. 


The Targeted Pay Range for this role is $80 - $120,000. 


Primary Roles and Responsibilities


Leadership and Team Support:

  • Provide mentorship, guidance, and constructive feedback to artists at various experience levels to promote growth and skill development.
  • Support team members by troubleshooting artistic challenges and offering creative solutions.
  • Ensure the team's output aligns with project goals and meets Arrow's quality standards.
  • Foster collaboration across the art team, programmers, and other stakeholders.

Artistic Contribution:

  • Conceptualize and design visuals for layouts, UI, logos, characters, and other game elements across multiple styles and themes.
  • Create and animate high-quality 2D game assets and VFX.
  • Ensure timely delivery of assets to meet production deadlines while maintaining visual consistency.

Requirements

Experience and Education

  • Degree in Design, Fine Arts, Visual Arts, or related field (Associates or Bachelors).
  • 5+ years of work experience as an Illustrator, Graphic Designer, or similar role, with demonstrated leadership experience.
  • Portfolio showcasing high-quality industry-standard artwork, including 2D game assets and animations.
  • Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) and experience with After Effects for VFX animation.
  • Strong understanding of design principles, color theory, and composition, with an eye for detail and precision.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate with team members and provide leadership.
  • Open to constructive critique and committed to ongoing learning and development.
  • Must work well in a team environment

Preferred Experience:

  • Gaming or casino-related knowledge or background.
  • Knowledge of animation principles. Usage of Spine is considered a plus
  • Experience with 3D Software (Maya, Blender, etc.).

We offer a dynamic and creative environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to work on exciting projects in the gaming industry. If you are passionate about animation and gaming, we would love to hear from you!


PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.
  • The noise level in the work environment is low.
  • May be required to sit for long and/or extended periods of time.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At Arrow International, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We believe that embracing our differences makes us stronger, more innovative, and better positioned to serve our communities. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Arrow International is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals in all job titles without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, results of genetic testing,

veteran status, or physical or mental disability-except where such disability prevents performance of essential job functions and cannot be reasonably accommodated in accordance with applicable laws.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Arrow International is committed to complying with the spirit and requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, undergo any pre-employment testing, or otherwise take part in the employee selection process, please contact us at hr@arrowinternational.com.


Arrow International does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party agencies. Resumes submitted without an approved vendor agreement will become the property of Arrow International, and no fees will be paid if the candidate is hired.  


To ensure a safe and productive work environment, all candidates who receive a conditional job offer must successfully pass a confidential pre-employment drug screening, which generally consists of a hair drug test, and receive an acceptable result as a condition of employment.