🎮 Utopian Game Labs 🎮
Lead Artist / Character Animator
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Lead Artist / Character Animator
Confidential Original 3D Action-Adventure Project Remote | Freelance / Contractor | Part-time initially, with potential to grow
We are looking for a talented, hands-on Lead Artist / Character Animator to join a small, family-sized independent team developing an original 3D action-adventure game currently in active production. The project is confidential at this stage, with further details shared with suitable applicants.
This is a genuine hands-on lead role, with around 70–80% of the work focused on artistic and animation production. You will help define and maintain the project’s visual standards while working directly with the Creative Director.
Core Remit
- 3D character modelling and sculpting
- Character and creature animation
- Environment and prop modelling
- Texturing and material creation and optimisation
- Rigging/animation preparation
- Lighting and scene presentation
- Game-ready asset production
- Importing, setting up and refining characters, animation and assets in Unreal Engine
- Reviewing visual work and helping maintain consistency across the project
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Essential Skills
Expert Unreal Engine ability is essential. You should be comfortable working independently inside Unreal with character/skeletal mesh setup, animation workflows, materials, lighting, scene assembly, optimisation, collision and troubleshooting. Experience with Animation Blueprints, Control Rig, Sequencer or related Unreal animation tools is particularly valuable.
We care far more about talent, speed, judgement, technical ability and what you can actually produce than the number of years you have worked in the industry. If you can create excellent art and animation, work quickly without sacrificing quality and use Unreal expertly, that matters more to us than whether you have five years’ experience or fifteen. A shipped PC or console title is desirable, but not essential.
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We mainly use Blender, but your preferred professional toolset is welcome provided you can integrate effectively with Unreal. AI-assisted tools are used selectively for ideation and reference; final production artwork and animation must be professionally created, directed and refined.
The role is fully remote, with a weekly Microsoft Teams review. Initial engagement will be freelance/contractor based, with scope for longer-term involvement.
To Apply
Send your CV, portfolio/showreel and a short covering note to recruit@utopian-game-labs.com. Examples of work running inside Unreal are especially welcome.
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