Illustrator

Job Description

Steedcrest is a new concept art and illustration studio working with game developers who need production-ready art from a team they can actually rely on. We're at the start: small team, clear direction, and the goal of growing into a studio that works on AA and AAA titles.

For any questions, please reach out to us at: [email protected]

What You’ll Do: 

You will produce high-impact marketing art and key visuals. At Steedcrest, illustration is about storytelling and technical precision, ensuring our assets are ready for the marketing pipeline. You will be expected to provide rough sketches and thumbnail explorations for approval before any rendering begins, as well as regular WIP updates throughout the process.

• Ideation & Visual Storytelling: The process starts by pitching 3-5 thumbnails, based on written briefs, moodboards and existing character sheets. Details aren't the key here, we’re looking for quick, rough color or value sketches;
• Rendering: We want to see how you use our established designs to create a cinematic, eye-catching composition with interesting camera angles and lighting;
• Technical Deliverable: Provide layered PSD files (characters separated from backgrounds) to allow for parallax animation and UI integration.  

Portfolio Requirements:

Your portfolio must showcase a mix of personal artworks and commercial projects (commissions, studio work, or client-led tasks) to prove your versatility and discipline.

We prioritize candidates who show their process. Entries must include (at the minimum for one artwork) the progression from initial rough thumbnails and ideation sketches to the final rendered asset, whether in a collage, .GIF, or timelapse format.

Please note that we are not looking for anime-like styles at the moment.

Required Skills:

• Teamwork & Communication: Ability to collaborate seamlessly within a studio pipeline, take constructive art direction, and maintain active communication via Discord/Slack.
• Fundamentals: Master-level understanding of anatomy, cinematic lighting, and focal-point composition.
• Professionalism: Ability to hit strict deadlines and provide regular WIP updates.
• Creative Interpretation: A strong ability to synthesize a cohesive visual design from a text-heavy brief or a moodboard.
• Technical: High proficiency in Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or equivalent software, as long as final projects can be exported in a working .PSD format. Use of 3D block-outs to ensure perspective and lighting accuracy is highly encouraged for environments and/or poses.
• Pipeline: Ability to provide clean, layered source files and adhere to organized naming conventions for easy studio hand-offs.
• Authenticity: Zero tolerance for Generative AI.

Universal Perks for Both Roles:

• No Exclusivity: You are free to continue your personal commissions and other projects;
• Professional Contract: All work is under a robust legal agreement with clear payment terms;
• Remote & Flexible: Work from anywhere on your own schedule, provided milestones are met;
• Indie/AA/AAA Experience: Opportunity to contribute to high-end industry titles in a structured, respectful studio environment.

Nature of Engagement:

• Project-Based Contracting: This is not a full-time position. You will be engaged as an independent contractor on a project-by-project basis.
• Pay per Project: Compensation is calculated per SOW (Statement of Work) or per-asset, rather than a monthly salary.
• Scalable Workload: We will reach out to you based on your availability and the specific needs of our active AA/AAA contracts.