2D Illustrator

The Role

We are looking for a talented 2D Illustrator to create high-fidelity Key Art for an upcoming Folk Horror PC game. We need an artist who can capture a specific "Dark Ghibli" aesthetic—blending the painterly beauty of Studio Ghibli environments with the unsettling, ancient atmosphere of folklore horror.

This engagement will begin with a single paid commission to establish our visual marketing tone. If successful, this role has high potential to evolve into a recurring partnership for future assets.

The Vibe & Aesthetic

Our game is set in a world that feels like a fairy tale, but one where the woods are watching you.

• The Look: Painterly, detailed backgrounds (Kazuo Oga style) mixed with expressive character designs.
• The Mood: "Surreal but Dangerous." We need to capture the contrast between the safety of a campfire and the looming dread of the ancient woods.
• The Reference: Think the darker moments of Princess Mononoke, Over the Garden Wall, or classic Grimm fairy tales.

What We Are Looking For

• Atmospheric Storytelling: You excel at lighting composition. You understand how to use warm/cool contrasts (e.g., a warm fire against a cool, dark forest) to highlight the tension between safety and the unknown.
• Creature/Environmental Design: You can render environments that feel alive and ominous. Trees that look like twisting limbs, shadows that conceal eyes, and silhouettes that suggest ancient monsters.
• Technical Versatility: We are not just looking for a flattened JPG. The final delivery must be a highly organized, layered PSD.
  • Note: The art will be used across various marketing channels (Steam capsules, social banners, website headers). Elements must be separated (Characters, Foreground, Mid-ground, Background, Monsters/Effects) to allow for resizing and compositing without quality loss.
• Collaborative Spirit: You will be working from a clear brief. We will provide the art direction, environment setting, character designs, and general style guide. Your job is to bring that vision to life with polish.

Responsibilities

• Create one polished piece of Key Art based on a provided brief.
• Deliver a high-resolution, fully layered source file (PSD) organized for marketing flexibility.
• Iterate based on feedback regarding composition, mood, and lighting values.

Requirements

• Portfolio: A link to an ArtStation or personal portfolio is mandatory.
• Relevant Experience: Please highlight specific pieces that showcase dark forests, glowing lighting effects, or whimsical horror.
• Software: Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop (or equivalent industry-standard software capable of complex layer management).

At Santa Barbara Games, we’re a small team of core players building worlds we want to explore ourselves. If you love crafting experiences that players talk about long after they log off — we’d love to meet you!