Lead Artist - Coconut Lizard

Lead Artist – Coconut Lizard

Coconut Lizard is at the cutting edge of technology and creativity, delivering co-development video game services to our global triple-A clients. Our successful studio is growing, and we are now looking for a Lead Artist to join the expanding art team. Founded in 2015, and part of the Keyword Studios Group since 2020, we are based in Newcastle/Gateshead area and we work on multiple exciting projects at any one time, offering plenty of variety and involvement. We offer our talented team a professional, fun and supportive working environment and we are passionate about what we do.

Responsibilities – Lead Artist:

Work with the Art Director to ensure the artists hit the client's aesthetic targets and that we demonstrate a high bar of craft excellence.

Create high quality benchmark assets to inspire and guide the art team and demonstrate responsibility for work quality and processes.

Communicate regularly with the client's art team, building relationships and reassuring them of our ability to hit their goals.

Instigate regular reviews of artwork and provide clear concise feedback, to ensure high quality and creative cohesion.

Ensure all artists have the appropriate reference and resources to complete their tasks and support the team with resolving technical issues and fixing bugs.

Help to establish pipelines, define budgets and document best practices.

Work with technical artists and engineers in streamlining our tools and processes for increasing art efficiency.

Champion streamlined processes, ensuring artwork meets all technical targets and frame rate restrictions.

Create concise documentation of all aspects of the art pipeline processes and provide tutorials and technical guides to improve efficiency.

Ensure all artwork adheres to guidelines regarding naming conventions, texture layering structures, folders etc.

Self driven, autonomous and confident, inspire colleagues to flourish and help promote a culture of collaborative innovation.

Keep up to date with industry advancements and technologies and share knowledge with the art team, actively contributing fresh ideas and encouraging the team to learn.

Have a full understanding of the scope and complexity of the artwork required on the project.

Alongside production, help to establish priority of work, schedule the art workload, monitor output and promptly advise art leads and production of any resourcing concerns and risks.

Lead, mentor and manage artists, providing coaching and nurturing to encourage their continued growth.

Carry out inductions and probationary reviews for new starters to ensure competence in the full range of tasks required in the role and feedback to the art leadership regarding employee performance for all team members.

Requirements

Skills:

Excellent artistic ability and meticulous attention to detail.

Highly proficient in Maya/Max/Blender, Substance and Unreal.

Good understanding of fundamental art principles; colour and lighting theory, composition and staging techniques.

A confident art leader with excellent verbal and written communication skills, you have the ability to articulate visual ideas with clarity and conviction and provide clear feedback and guidance.

Practical and methodical approach to both technical and creative problem- solving and experience of mentoring other artists.

Demonstrate good leadership skills of positivity, enthusiasm, leading by example & active listening.

Be a collaborative team player, have a professional, flexible and calm approach and the ability to adapt with change.

Excellent time-management and organisational skills and the ability to deliver quality work within fixed time constraints.

Passion for staying up to date with latest technology and embracing new game art techniques.

Benefits

Some of the many benefits and perks offered by Coconut Lizard, alongside a great working environment:

25 days holiday (+ bank holidays + up to 5 days extra for length of service)

Company Pension Scheme

Flexible working hours

Private Medical Plan

Employee Share Scheme

Anti-crunch ethos - an amazingly professional, fun and supportive working environment!

Annual Bonus – be rewarded for great teamwork!

Free Parking

Tech and Bike Scheme

Company Share Scheme

Company Socials, Project Launch/Wrap Parties + Annual Events

Complimentary refreshments in the studio

We offer a flexible working policy – this Lead Artist role has the option to be studio based, hybrid or remote.

Initial interviews will be help by video call with a second interview at the studio depending on applicant's location.

Don't meet every single requirement? Not a problem - please apply. At Coconut Lizard we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace and culture. If this opportunity excites you but your current skills or past experience don't align perfectly with the job description, we encourage you to still apply. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles within our team.