Game Engine Character Artist

Purpose of the job:

Digital Domain is one of the largest and most influential visual effects studios in the world. We produce top tier visual effects for movies, television, commercials, along with virtual production, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) development services for clients and internally created content.  The virtual production team is leading the industry with an advanced real-time visualization pipeline tightly integrated with motion capture, game engine, and interactive VR/AR technologies. We are looking to expand this team for work on key feature film and immersive storytelling experiences. As a character artist you will be creating memorable, iconic and interesting characters for virtual production (within feature film) and virtual reality projects.  You will be expertly modeling, texturing and shading characters and other key assets. 

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

·         To work closely with the virtual art department supervisor and Virtual Art Department (VAD) team to develop build characters as directed by feature film makers and internally driven virtual reality projects  

·         Creating mid and low poly character models, textures and shaders including UV maps.

·         Maintains a consistent style under director of production designers, art directors and creative directors.

·         Uses knowledge in human and animal anatomy to ensure character models achieve a high level of functionality and aesthetic design.

·         Active participation in technical and artistic discussions and problem solving. 

·         Works closely with animators and riggers to ensure models deform correctly and are functional.

·         Work closely with TD’s to ensure the pipeline is as efficient as possible. 

Qualifications:

Education and/or Experience Required:

·         2+ years modeling experience in games industry as an character artist with at least one AAA game shipped on PC or console

·         2 + years of experience using maya, photoshop, Z-Brush, Mudbox or equivilent.

·         2+ years of experience with asset development for Unity and/or Unreal

   Skills, Abilities, Special Licenses or Certificate: 

·         Experience with asset development for use in Unity and or Unreal.

·         Excellent mid and low poly modeling skills.

·         Good visual and technical understanding of 3D character modeling and texturing.

·         Strong knowledge of texture mapping (including normal, diffuse, spec etc), UV mapping and generation along with texture creation and painting.

·         Fast, organized, take direction well, and can deal with high profile directors, vfx supervisors and production designers.

·         Advanced knowledge of human and animal anatomy

·         Strong painting skills in both stylized and photorealistic styles

·         Strong skills in sculpting and generating normal maps from high poly models. 

·         Good understanding of clean edge flow and best practices for modeling for skin deformation and animation performance.

·         Ability to rig characters and skin weight is advantageous

·         Knowledge of Motionbuilder advantageous. 

·         Knowledge of shader development in Unity and Unreal advantageous.

·         Knowledge of scripting (Python, Mel, C# scripting in Unity, and/or Unreal Blueprint) useful.

·         Experience with virtual reality development and optimization is advantageous

·         Strong organizational and communications skills along with understanding production values, deadlines and priorities

·         Willing to take direction and be a team player.

Working Conditions and Environment/Physical Demands: 

• Office working environment.
• Hours for this position are based on normal working hours but will require extra hours pending production needs.
• Walking/bending/sitting.

 The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work.  This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it.  Digital Domain 3.0, Inc management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs.