Game UI Artist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Game UI Artist

Company: Komodo Co., Ltd.

Location: Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Game Development / UI/UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-04-14

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop visually compelling UI assets, including HUDs, menus, and icons, to establish the aesthetic and functional core of a new competitive PVP action game.

• Define and meticulously maintain visual standards for the game's UI, encompassing typography, color palettes, and iconography, ensuring brand consistency and player immersion.

• Collaborate closely with game designers, engineers, and fellow artists to seamlessly integrate UI elements with gameplay mechanics and the overall artistic direction.

• Iterate rapidly on UI designs based on rigorous playtesting, constructive feedback, and evolving creative direction to optimize player experience.

• Contribute to early production by establishing robust workflows, comprehensive style guides, and efficient asset pipelines for UI development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is for a Game UI Artist focused on a new, in-house competitive PVP action game codenamed "Nanos" by Komodo Co., Ltd. The emphasis is on defining UI standards and visual identity from an early stage, suggesting a need for proactive, foundational work. The company's background in publishing over 120 games and developing related tech like the NIUHI manga platform indicates a stable, experienced organization venturing into new internal development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and create a wide array of UI assets for HUDs, main menus, in-game interfaces, and other interactive game systems.

• Develop and document comprehensive visual guidelines for UI, including typography selection, color theory application, and icon system design to ensure visual coherence.

• Engage in cross-functional team meetings and design reviews to ensure UI designs effectively support gameplay objectives and the game's unique artistic vision.

• Actively participate in user testing sessions and feedback loops, translating insights into actionable design improvements for UI elements.

• Assist in the development and refinement of asset creation workflows, style guides, and asset pipelines to streamline the UI production process.

• Ensure all UI elements are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly readable, accessible, and intuitive, directly enhancing the overall player experience and engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on role in asset creation and a significant contribution to defining the UI's foundational elements. The emphasis on "early member of the team" and "own and define UI standards" suggests a need for strategic thinking and the ability to set precedents for future development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a background in Graphic Design, Digital Art, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is highly beneficial.

Experience: Professional experience designing unique and atypical UI for games or interactive content is required, with a preference for 2-5 years of dedicated UI art experience in the gaming industry.

Required Skills:

• Proven professional experience designing unique and atypical UI for games or interactive content.

• Strong understanding of fundamental UI design principles, including layout, readability, and visual hierarchy.

• Demonstrated ability to iterate quickly on designs and effectively incorporate feedback from various stakeholders.

• A robust portfolio that clearly showcases a range of UI design work, demonstrating creativity and technical skill.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across design, engineering, and art disciplines.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in creating polished, stylized, or anime-inspired UI, aligning with potential game aesthetics.

• Prior experience defining and documenting UI standards, workflows, and visual guidelines for game development projects.

• Proficiency in designing detailed iconography, selecting appropriate typography, and developing cohesive color systems.

• Familiarity with implementing UI elements within Unreal Engine, a common industry standard for game development.

• Previous experience working on competitive or Player-versus-Player (PvP) games, understanding the unique demands of such genres.

• A track record of shipped game titles or completed commercial interactive projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical experience and a portfolio over formal education. The preference for stylized or anime-inspired UI, coupled with the mention of "competitive PVP action game," suggests a specific visual direction the company is exploring. Experience with Unreal Engine is a strong plus, indicating the likely engine choice.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct UI projects that demonstrate a range of skills from concept to polished asset creation.

• Include detailed case studies or breakdowns for at least two projects, explaining the design process, challenges encountered, and how they were overcome using specific UI principles.

• Highlight projects with a strong emphasis on visual hierarchy, readability, and user flow optimization, particularly for complex interfaces.

• Demonstrate experience with creating diverse UI elements such as HUDs, menus, icons, tooltips, and in-game notifications.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of style guides or UI design system documentation that illustrate the ability to standardize visual elements and ensure consistency across a project.

• Workflow examples or explanations of how UI assets are created, iterated upon, and integrated into a game development pipeline.

• Documentation or case studies showing how user feedback and playtesting results were used to inform and improve UI designs.

• Visual representations of how UI elements contribute to overall game experience and player engagement, potentially through mockups or animated prototypes.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, as it's the primary method for assessing design capability. The emphasis on process documentation suggests the company values structured approaches to UI development and standardization, especially for an early-stage project.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Mid-Level Game UI Artists in Tokyo, Japan, and factoring in the company's size and the role's early-stage impact, an estimated annual salary range is ¥5,500,000 - ¥8,000,000 JPY.

Benefits:

• Performance-based Profit Sharing: A direct incentive tied to the company's and project's success.

• KOMODO Special Leave: Generous paid time off including 5 business days for Summer holiday, 7 business days for Winter holiday, 1-day Birthday holiday, and 1-day Game Launch Day holiday, in addition to standard Japanese labor law leave.

• Paid Leave: Full compliance with Japanese labor laws regarding paid annual leave.

• Full Social Insurance Coverage: Comprehensive health, pension, and unemployment insurance through the Kanto IT Software Health Insurance Society.

• Free Language Learning Classes: Opportunities to improve Japanese or English language skills, fostering better integration and communication.

• Company Events: Regular social gatherings like Office Lunch Parties and Year-end Parties to build team camaraderie.

• Work Visa Support: Assistance provided for eligible candidates requiring visa sponsorship to work in Japan.

• Steam Deck Provided: A personal Steam Deck will be provided to employees for their employment, likely for testing and personal use.

• Free Games and Manga: Access to a library of games and manga, reflecting the company's industry and passion.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically around 8 hours per day, totaling approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project needs and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on market data for similar roles in Tokyo and the experience level. The benefits package is robust, with unique offerings like special leave days and a provided Steam Deck, highlighting a company culture that values employee well-being and engagement with gaming. Visa support is a significant benefit for international candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Gaming & Entertainment, with a strong focus on PC and potentially console game development and publishing. The company also has interests in digital manga platforms (NIUHI) and hardware sales (Steam Deck distribution).

Company Size: Komodo Co., Ltd. is a privately-owned company that has published over 120 games and is now building its first fully in-house title. This suggests a medium-sized organization with established publishing operations and a growing internal development team. The team for "Nanos" is described as "small and powerful," indicating a focused, agile development unit within the larger company.

Founded: The company has a history of publishing over 120 games, suggesting it has been operating for a significant period, likely well over a decade, establishing a solid foundation and industry reputation.

Team Structure:

• The UI Artist will be part of the core development team for "Nanos," working alongside designers, engineers, and other artists.

• This team is described as "small and powerful," implying a lean structure where individual contributions are highly visible and impactful.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes building a new title from the ground up, suggesting an agile or iterative development methodology.

• There's a focus on empowering individuals with "freedom and creative agency," indicating a culture that values initiative and ownership.

• The development of a competitive PVP action game implies a need for iterative design, playtesting, and a data-informed approach to gameplay and UI.

Company Website: https://komodo.jp/

📝 Enhancement Note: Komodo Co., Ltd. presents itself as an established game publisher now investing in its own internal AAA-level development. The culture appears to foster autonomy and direct impact, which is attractive for early-stage team members. The blend of established publishing and new development offers a unique dynamic.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Game UI Artist. It offers the opportunity to significantly influence the visual direction and player experience of a new game title from its inception. The responsibilities extend beyond just asset creation to defining standards and workflows, providing a pathway toward senior or lead UI artist roles on future projects.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, the UI Artist will likely report to a Lead Artist, Art Director, or potentially a Game Director, given the small and focused nature of the "Nanos" development team. Close collaboration with game designers and engineers is also a key reporting dynamic.

Operations Impact: The UI Artist's work will be fundamental to the player's perception and interaction with "Nanos." They will directly shape how players navigate menus, understand game information (HUD), and engage with the game's overall aesthetic. This impact is critical for player retention, satisfaction, and the commercial success of a competitive PVP game.

Growth Opportunities:

• UI/UX Specialization: Deepen expertise in UI design principles, user experience, and potentially UX research within the gaming context.

• Lead/Senior Artist Path: With demonstrated leadership in defining standards and workflows, opportunities to move into Lead UI Artist or Art Director roles on future projects.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to game design, programming, and other art disciplines through close collaboration, broadening overall game development knowledge.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to a new IP and potentially set new standards for UI in the shoot 'em up genre, building a strong portfolio and reputation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers substantial growth potential, especially for someone looking to make a significant mark on a new game title. The opportunity to define standards at an early stage is a key differentiator for career advancement within Komodo or the broader industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Akihabara, Tokyo, a vibrant district known for its electronics, anime, and gaming culture. This suggests a dynamic and inspiring urban environment. The job is listed as on-site, indicating a collaborative office setting.

Office Location(s): Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan. This location offers excellent access to public transportation and is situated in a hub for technology and entertainment industries.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is likely collaborative, given the emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional interaction for the "Nanos" project.

• Employees are provided with a Steam Deck, suggesting that the company encourages hands-on interaction with gaming hardware and software, potentially for testing or inspiration.

• Access to free games and manga further indicates an environment that embraces gaming culture and creative inspiration.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, the company culture of offering "freedom and creative agency" might translate to some degree of flexibility in task management, provided project milestones are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Akihabara location is a significant draw for individuals passionate about gaming and Japanese pop culture. The provision of a Steam Deck and access to games/manga suggests a workplace that actively supports and integrates employee interests with professional work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess core qualifications and visual style.

• Technical Interview: Discussion focused on UI design principles, problem-solving approaches, and potentially a small design exercise or critique of existing work.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing their process, rationale, and how they've tackled specific UI challenges. This is crucial for demonstrating communication and strategic thinking.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meeting with potential team members and art leadership to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with Komodo's culture of empowering individuals.

• Final Interview: May involve leadership discussion on project vision, role expectations, and salary negotiation.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase a diverse range of UI skills and a style that could align with a competitive PVP action game.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the tools and techniques used, the challenges faced, and the final outcome. Focus on your decision-making process.

• Highlight Process: Include wireframes, mockups, style guides, or even animated prototypes to demonstrate your workflow and iterative design capabilities.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): While difficult for UI art, try to explain how your design choices enhanced user experience, readability, or engagement.

• Tailor to Komodo: If you have examples of stylized or anime-inspired UI, or work related to competitive games, ensure these are prominently featured.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential take-home assignment or a live design challenge, likely involving creating a specific UI element or flow for a hypothetical game scenario. Focus on clear communication of your design choices.

• Articulate Your Process: Practice explaining your design rationale, workflow, and how you incorporate feedback. This is as important as the final visual output.

• Understand Genre: Research competitive PVP action games and their UI conventions to demonstrate an understanding of player needs and genre expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily lean on the portfolio demonstration. Candidates should be ready to discuss their design decisions in detail and showcase their ability to contribute to defining a game's visual identity from the ground up.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Graphic Design Software: High proficiency required in industry-standard tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator for asset creation.

• Prototyping/UI Design Tools: Experience with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is highly valuable for wireframing, prototyping, and creating design systems. The company states tools are flexible as long as they support production needs.

• Game Engine Integration (Preferred): Familiarity with implementing UI within Unreal Engine is a significant advantage, indicating the likely primary game engine.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly a UI Artist's responsibility, understanding how UI performance is tracked (e.g., through analytics on menu navigation, button clicks) can inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the core responsibilities of a Game UI Artist.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on flexibility in tools suggests that strong fundamental design and artistic skills are prioritized over specific software mastery, though Photoshop and Illustrator are industry staples. Unreal Engine familiarity is a key differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraged to design "unique and atypical UI" and have "freedom and creative agency."

• Collaboration & Communication: Essential for working closely with designers, engineers, and artists, with a requirement for high English proficiency.

• Impact & Ownership: As an early team member, individual contributions will have a visible and meaningful impact on the game's development from the ground up.

• Efficiency & Quality: Defining standards and workflows implies a focus on efficient production pipelines and delivering polished, high-quality visual assets.

• Passion for Gaming: Evidenced by the company's products, provided Steam Deck, and free games/manga.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The UI Artist will work closely with multiple disciplines, requiring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to translate feedback across different specializations.

• Iterative Design: The process of game development, especially for a new title, necessitates an iterative approach where feedback is actively sought and incorporated.

• Knowledge Sharing: Being part of a "small and powerful team" with experienced mentors suggests an environment where knowledge sharing and mentorship are encouraged.

📝 Enhancement Note: Komodo Co., Ltd. appears to foster a culture that balances creative freedom with structured development processes, driven by a passion for gaming. Success in this role will depend on strong collaborative abilities and a proactive approach to contributing to the game's vision.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining a New IP's Identity: Establishing a unique and compelling visual identity for a new game title requires significant creative input and strategic decision-making.

• Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality: Ensuring UI is both visually striking and highly functional for a competitive PVP game, where split-second decisions are critical.

• Early-Stage Workflow Development: Contributing to the creation of new workflows and standards can be demanding, requiring adaptability and problem-solving skills.

• Remote/On-site Collaboration: While the role is on-site, ensuring seamless communication and integration with potentially distributed team members or stakeholders might be a consideration.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UI/UX Techniques: Opportunities to refine skills in user-centered design, interaction design, and potentially explore UX research methodologies.

• Genre-Specific Expertise: Developing deep knowledge and a strong portfolio in designing UI for competitive PVP action games.

• Mentorship from Industry Veterans: Learning directly from experienced mentors within Komodo Co., Ltd. who have a track record of game publishing success.

• Contribution to a New Franchise: Being part of the foundational team for a new game IP offers significant personal and professional growth, with the potential for future leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of early-stage game development for a new IP and offer substantial opportunities for professional growth and skill development in a dynamic environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a new HUD for a competitive PVP game. What are the key considerations for readability and quick access to information?"

• "Walk us through a project where you had to define new UI standards or a visual style guide. What was your approach, and how did you gain buy-in from the team?"

• "How do you balance creating a unique artistic style for UI with ensuring it is universally understood and usable by players of varying backgrounds?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Komodo Co., Ltd. and our upcoming PVP action game, 'Nanos'?"

• "How do you see yourself contributing to a 'small and powerful team' environment where individual impact is high?"

• "What are your thoughts on establishing new workflows and style guides from the ground up?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin with your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your ability to create unique and functional UI.

• Explain the 'Why': For each design decision, articulate the rationale behind it, linking it back to player needs, gameplay mechanics, or artistic vision.

• Showcase Iteration: Present early concepts, wireframes, or rejected ideas to demonstrate your iterative design process and how you refined concepts.

• Highlight Technical Skills: If you have experience with Unreal Engine or specific prototyping tools, explain how you leveraged them effectively.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your process, tool choices, and how you would approach specific challenges related to the "Nanos" project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only artistic skill but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a collaborative spirit. The ability to articulate design rationale and process will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Game UI Artist position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and clearly highlights projects demonstrating stylized UI design, game UI experience, and ideally, work related to competitive or action genres.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize experience in game UI design, proficiency in relevant tools (Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, Unreal Engine), and experience with UI principles like visual hierarchy and readability. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design process, explain your portfolio choices, and discuss how your skills align with Komodo's vision for "Nanos." Practice presenting your work concisely.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Komodo Co., Ltd.'s existing published titles and their mission. Understand the competitive PVP action game genre and current UI trends within it.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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