Smilegate Europe are looking for an experienced and talented Lead VFX Artist, to join their growing team of developers. They're looking for an individual that has an understanding of memory and frame budgets, production schedule and project goals, animation, programming and design concerns, understands PBR lighting basics and material authoring.
Your role and responsibilities will include...
Working with the Art Director to set the art style and visual standard for the team by the creation of art assets, a mastery of internal technology and tools pipeline and departmental production dependencies.
Collaborating closely with the graphic engineering team to develop new or improve upon old technologies to improve visual effect quality
Combining efforts with Art, Cinematic and Development teams to create industry leading FX throughout our environments, characters, weapons/vehicles and cinematic sequences
Utilising your expertise in Unreal Engine FX tools with an emphasis on Houdini FX
Evaluating and initiating processes and features needed to improve and streamline production
Helping standardize the workflow and pipelines for asset creation
Collaboration with Design, Engineering, and the Technical Art staff on FX pipeline
Coordinating with Development Management Team to understand the evolving needs of the studio
Mentoring a team of FX artists, supporting and promoting a growth mindset amongst the staff
Participating in planning and milestone delivery for the FX
The skills and experience you'll bring to the role...
Current-generation AAA video game platform track record with two or more published titles. To ensure a wide perspective on potential methods, familiarity with multiple engines and toolsets is desirable
Excellent communication skillset and ability to work collaboratively - must be open to direction and able to embrace and manage others through change
Exceptional portfolio of FX artwork, including significant
Proficiency with 3D graphics, particle systems, physics, ribbons, shaders, etc. real-time work.
Ability to showcase outstanding use of fluid dynamics, timing, animation, color and lighting in the creation of photorealistic, high quality effects for environments and dynamic objects
Bonus points if you have...
An extensive technical art background in FX, with a focus on shader writing.
Experience authoring rendered FX in packages such as the Adobe Suite, Maya/Max and Houdini.
