UI Artist - 12 Month FTC

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Artist - 12 Month FTC

Company: Lighthouse Games

Location: Royal Leamington Spa, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Game Development - Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-04-29

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and implement visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces for AAA gaming titles, directly impacting player engagement and overall game experience.

• Develop comprehensive UI assets, including wireframes, prototypes, mockups, icons, and HUD elements, ensuring seamless integration with the game engine.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with game designers, artists, and programmers to translate abstract concepts into intuitive and aesthetically pleasing UI solutions.

• Iterate on UI designs based on feedback, user testing, and evolving industry best practices to maintain high standards of quality and user experience.

• Contribute to the artistic vision of Lighthouse Games by staying abreast of the latest UI/UX design trends and technologies within the gaming industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a 12-month Fixed-Term Contract (FTC), which is a common structure for project-based work in the games industry, often involving specific game development cycles. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, which is typical for creative roles requiring both focused individual work and team synergy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and execute user interface (UI) elements, menus, HUDs, and in-game feedback systems that align with the artistic direction and gameplay mechanics of AAA titles.

• Create detailed wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate UI concepts and functionality to cross-functional teams.

• Produce high-quality UI assets, including icons, typography, buttons, and visual indicators, adhering to established brand guidelines and style guides.

• Work closely with game designers to understand gameplay requirements and translate them into intuitive and accessible user experiences, ensuring optimal player interaction.

• Collaborate with programmers to ensure the technical feasibility and efficient implementation of UI designs within the chosen game engine (e.g., Unreal Engine).

• Conduct iterative design processes, incorporating feedback from internal reviews, user testing sessions, and playtesting to refine UI elements and improve overall usability.

• Maintain a consistent visual style, quality, and user experience across all UI components throughout the game's development lifecycle.

• Stay informed about current UI/UX trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in game development to propose innovative design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities emphasize a blend of artistic creation and practical implementation within a game development context. The requirement to "iterate on UI designs based on team feedback, user testing results, and industry best practices" highlights a data-informed and collaborative approach to UI development, crucial for AAA titles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 2-5 years of professional experience as a UI Artist specifically within the video game industry.

Required Skills:

• UI/UX Design Principles: Deep understanding of user-centered design, information architecture, and interaction design principles as applied to gaming.

• Design Software Proficiency: Expert-level command of industry-standard design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Sketch, or Figma for creating and refining UI assets.

• Asset Creation: Demonstrated ability to create a wide range of UI assets, including icons, buttons, menus, typography, and HUD elements with a keen eye for detail and visual hierarchy.

• Wireframing & Prototyping: Experience in creating clear wireframes and interactive prototypes to communicate design intent and user flows effectively.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.

• Game Development Fundamentals: Solid understanding of game development pipelines and the technical considerations for integrating UI elements into game engines.

• Portfolio: A comprehensive and compelling portfolio showcasing a strong range of UI design work for games, demonstrating problem-solving skills and artistic flair.

Preferred Skills:

• UI Animation: Familiarity with UI animation techniques and tools to bring interfaces to life and enhance user engagement.

• Unreal Engine: Experience working with Unreal Engine, including its UI tools (UMG - Unreal Motion Graphics), is highly desirable.

• Photography for Design: Understanding of how photographic elements can be effectively integrated into UI design layouts for enhanced visual impact.

• Scripting/Basic Coding: Basic understanding of scripting or coding languages (e.g., Blueprint in Unreal Engine) can be advantageous for prototyping and implementation discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio showcasing comprehensive UI design work" is paramount for a UI Artist role. Candidates should curate their portfolios to highlight their problem-solving abilities, design process, and the final visual output for games, ideally with examples of UI animation and integration. The requirement for experience in AAA titles suggests a need for candidates who understand scalability and performance considerations in UI design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies of UI projects, focusing on the problem, your design process, iterations, and the final solution. For games, this should include examples of UI for different game systems (e.g., main menu, in-game HUD, inventory, settings).

• Visual Design Excellence: Demonstrate a strong foundation in visual design, including layout, color theory, typography, and iconography, consistently applied across all game UI elements.

• User Experience Focus: Highlight examples where your UI designs directly improved user experience, such as increased intuitiveness, reduced player confusion, or enhanced engagement, backed by any available user feedback or testing results.

• Technical Integration Examples: If possible, include examples or descriptions of how your UI assets were integrated into a game engine, demonstrating an understanding of technical constraints and workflows.

Process Documentation:

• Design Workflow: Clearly articulate your typical UI design workflow, from initial concept and research through wireframing, prototyping, asset creation, and final implementation.

• Collaboration Process: Document how you collaborate with game designers, programmers, and other artists, including your methods for receiving and providing feedback and managing revisions.

• Tool Proficiency Demonstration: Briefly explain your proficiency with key design tools and how you leverage them for efficient UI asset creation and iteration.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UI Artist role, the portfolio is not just a collection of work but a demonstration of the candidate's problem-solving methodology and their ability to translate complex game mechanics into user-friendly interfaces. The "process documentation" aspect should focus on how they approach UI challenges within a collaborative game development environment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Generous Holiday Allowance: 25 days of annual leave, plus an additional day off for your birthday.

• Studio Closure: A welcome studio shutdown period between Christmas and New Year, providing a dedicated break.

• Performance-Based Incentives: Eligibility for a discretionary bonus scheme, rewarding individual and company performance.

• Retirement Planning: Private pension scheme to support long-term financial security.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive private healthcare coverage, including dental and optical treatments.

• Mental Health Support: Access to mental health resources and support services.

• General Well-being: Broader health and well-being benefits designed to support employee welfare.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility, with specific in-office days to be agreed upon with the hiring manager, balancing collaborative needs with individual work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research of UK-based game development roles for UI Artists with mid-level experience, considering the location in Royal Leamington Spa and the fixed-term nature of the contract. Benefits are comprehensive and typical for a well-established studio in the UK games sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development (AAA Titles)

Company Size: Lighthouse Games is likely a mid-sized studio, given its focus on AAA titles and its location in a known UK games development hub. This size typically fosters a collaborative environment where individual contributions are highly visible.

Founded: Lighthouse Games has established itself as a developer of immersive and engaging AAA titles, suggesting a history of successful game releases and a commitment to high-quality production values.

Team Structure:

• Creative Hub: The UI Artist will join a creative team that likely includes other artists (concept, 3D, technical), UI/UX designers, and potentially UX researchers.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close working relationships with game designers, level designers, programmers, and potentially audio designers to ensure a cohesive game experience.

• Reporting Line: The UI Artist will likely report to a Lead Artist, Art Director, or potentially a UI/UX Lead, who will provide direction and feedback.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: It's common for game studios to utilize agile methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Kanban) for iterative development, requiring flexibility and adaptability in UI design.

• Data-Informed Design: The emphasis on user testing and feedback suggests a data-informed approach to UI/UX, where design decisions are validated through player interaction.

• Asset Pipeline Management: Efficient management of UI assets through the development pipeline, from creation to integration and iteration, is critical.

Company Website: lighthousegames.com (Assumed, based on domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on AAA titles implies a commitment to high production values, polished aesthetics, and robust gameplay mechanics. This context is crucial for a UI Artist, as their work directly contributes to the player's perception of quality and immersion. The hybrid model suggests a modern approach to work-life balance within the demanding games industry.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Level, suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of dedicated UI Art experience in game development. It offers the opportunity to take ownership of UI elements within significant projects and contribute to high-profile titles.

Reporting Structure: The UI Artist will report to a senior member of the art or design department, such as an Art Director or Lead Artist. This structure allows for mentorship and guidance while providing autonomy on specific UI tasks.

Operations Impact: The UI Artist's work has a direct and profound impact on player experience, engagement, and perceived quality. A well-designed UI can significantly enhance usability, guide players effectively, and contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal and success of a AAA game.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior UI Artist: Progression to a Senior UI Artist role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior artists, and having a greater influence on UI strategy and art direction.

• Lead UI/UX Designer: With demonstrated leadership and strategic thinking, there's potential to move into a Lead UI/UX Designer position, overseeing entire UI/UX efforts for projects.

• Technical Artist (UI Focus): Developing specialized skills in UI animation, scripting, or engine integration could lead to a Technical Artist role focused on UI.

• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific areas such as UI animation, motion graphics, or accessibility in UI design.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a 12-month FTC, this role is primarily about contributing significantly to a specific project within that timeframe. However, for exceptional performers, there's often potential for extension or conversion to a permanent role, or for the experience gained on AAA titles to open doors to other mid-level or senior opportunities within the industry. The growth paths outlined focus on deepening UI/UX expertise and potentially moving into leadership or more technical roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Lighthouse Games operates from a studio in Royal Leamington Spa, a well-established hub for game development in the UK. The environment is likely a creative studio space designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): Royal Leamington Spa, England, United Kingdom. This location offers a good balance of accessibility and a vibrant creative community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The hybrid model suggests that the office serves as a central point for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and collaborative design sprints, encouraging direct interaction among artists, designers, and programmers.

• Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to professional-grade workstations and software, including industry-standard design suites and potentially access to game engine development environments.

• Creative Atmosphere: The studio culture is likely geared towards creativity, with an emphasis on passion for gaming and a shared drive to produce high-quality titles.

Work Schedule:

• The standard full-time work schedule is likely 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility, with specific days in the office to be coordinated with the team and management, allowing for focused individual work and essential in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a key aspect of the work environment. It implies a need for self-discipline and effective time management, both when working remotely and when collaborating in the studio. The studio's location in a recognized games development cluster suggests access to a skilled talent pool and a supportive industry ecosystem.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess suitability for the role and experience level.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: A dedicated session (potentially virtual) where you will walk through your portfolio, explaining your design process, problem-solving approaches, and the rationale behind your UI designs for games. This will be followed by technical questions related to UI design tools, game engines, and best practices.

• Team/Art Director Interview: An interview with the Art Director or Lead Artist to discuss your artistic vision, collaboration style, and how you would fit into the existing art team and studio culture.

• Final Interview: Potentially a discussion with a studio lead or HR to finalize terms and discuss the FTC contract details.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Game-Centric Focus: Ensure your portfolio prominently features UI work specifically for video games. Highlight projects that demonstrate your understanding of player experience within interactive environments.

• Process Over Polish (Sometimes): While polished visuals are important, clearly explain your thought process, the challenges you faced, and how you iterated to find solutions. Show the journey from concept to final asset.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples of different UI elements (menus, HUDs, icons, dashboards) and styles if applicable, showing your adaptability.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, mention any positive outcomes from your UI designs, such as improved player retention, reduced support queries, or positive feedback from user testing.

• Unreal Engine (If Applicable): If you have Unreal Engine experience, specifically mention and showcase any work done within the engine, such as UMG implementations.

Challenge Preparation:

• UI Design Challenge: Be prepared for a practical design exercise. This might involve creating a UI flow or a set of assets for a given game concept or feature. Focus on clear communication, efficient workflow, and a user-centered approach.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think about common UI challenges in game development (e.g., designing for different screen resolutions, implementing complex information displays, ensuring accessibility) and how you would approach them.

• Collaboration Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would handle disagreements on design direction or integrate feedback from non-designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a UI Artist in games is heavily portfolio-driven. Candidates should meticulously curate their portfolios to showcase their most relevant and impactful work, specifically tailored to the requirements of AAA game development. The technical interview will likely delve into the practical application of design skills within a game engine context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for creating and editing raster and vector graphics. Proficiency in Photoshop (for texture work, mockups) and Illustrator (for vector assets, icons) is expected.

• UI/UX Design Software: Expertise in tools like Sketch or Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and creating scalable UI assets.

• Asset Creation Tools: Familiarity with tools for creating icons, menus, and HUD elements.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Game Engine Integration:

• Unreal Engine (Highly Desirable): Experience with Unreal Engine's UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics) system for UI implementation. This includes understanding how to work with UI widgets, blueprints, and integrate assets into the engine.

• Unity (Potentially): While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with Unity's UI systems could also be an asset, depending on the studio's primary engine.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for a UI Artist is heavily weighted towards creative software. The significant emphasis on Unreal Engine highlights its importance in modern AAA game development, and candidates with UMG experience will have a distinct advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A drive to push artistic boundaries and create visually stunning and engaging user interfaces that enhance the player experience.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working effectively with diverse teams, sharing ideas, and contributing to a positive and productive studio environment.

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding player needs and designing interfaces that are intuitive, accessible, and enjoyable to use.

• Quality & Polish: A dedication to delivering high-quality, polished assets that meet the demanding standards of AAA game development.

• Passion for Gaming: A genuine enthusiasm for video games, a desire to contribute to memorable gaming experiences, and an appreciation for the art of game creation.

Collaboration Style:

• Open Communication: Encouraging an environment where feedback is freely given and received constructively, fostering continuous improvement.

• Iterative Design: Embracing a process of continuous refinement based on input from peers, designers, and playtesters.

• Cross-Disciplinary Integration: Working closely with programmers and designers to ensure UI is not just visually appealing but also functional and well-integrated into the game's core mechanics.

• Shared Vision: Contributing to and aligning with the overall artistic vision and goals of the game project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Lighthouse Games likely fosters a culture that values artistic excellence, collaborative spirit, and a shared passion for creating high-quality games. The UI Artist's role is integral to this, requiring them to be both a strong individual contributor and an effective team player within a creative, fast-paced environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality: The primary challenge is creating UI that is visually striking while remaining highly functional, intuitive, and performant across various platforms and screen sizes.

• Iterative Design Cycles: Game development is iterative; UI designs will likely undergo numerous changes based on evolving gameplay mechanics, player feedback, and technical constraints. Adapting to these changes efficiently is key.

• Technical Integration: Ensuring that UI designs can be seamlessly and efficiently implemented within the game engine by programmers requires understanding technical limitations and collaborating closely.

• AAA Standards: Meeting the high bar for visual fidelity, polish, and user experience expected in AAA titles, often under tight deadlines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to AAA Projects: Gaining invaluable experience working on high-profile, large-scale game titles, which significantly enhances a portfolio and skillset.

• Mentorship: Learning from senior artists and art directors within the studio, gaining insights into advanced UI design techniques and best practices.

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like UI animation, motion graphics, or advanced prototyping tools.

• Engine Proficiency: Enhancing skills with specific game engines like Unreal Engine, particularly its UI development tools (UMG).

• Industry Trends: Staying at the forefront of UI/UX trends in gaming through exposure to cutting-edge projects and peer collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to AAA game development, requiring resilience and adaptability. The growth opportunities are substantial, stemming from the direct experience of working on high-caliber projects and within a professional development studio environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a complex in-game menu system, from initial concept to final implementation." (Focus on user flows, wireframes, asset creation, and collaboration.)

• "How do you approach balancing a unique artistic style with the need for clear, functional UI in a game?" (Discuss your understanding of visual hierarchy, player guidance, and brand consistency.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What aspects of Lighthouse Games' current or past titles appeal to you from a UI/UX perspective?" (Show you've researched their games and understand their aesthetic.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs, especially when it comes from non-designers?" (Demonstrate openness to feedback and a collaborative mindset.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a story. Start with the problem or goal, walk through your design process (sketches, wireframes, prototypes), explain your key decisions, and present the final outcome.

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate why you made certain design choices. Discuss your research, user testing insights, and iterative steps.

• Technical Context: If you worked with specific engines or tools for integration, briefly explain that process and any technical considerations you had to address.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on your strongest, most relevant pieces, and be prepared to answer questions succinctly. If you have Unreal Engine experience, highlight it.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be assessing not just your artistic talent but also your problem-solving skills, your ability to collaborate, and your understanding of the unique demands of UI design within the fast-paced, iterative environment of game development.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in game UI design, specifically mentioning AAA titles if applicable. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and showcases your strongest, most relevant UI work for games. Prioritize examples of menus, HUDs, and interactive elements.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch/Figma, and any experience with Unreal Engine (especially UMG) or other game engines. Quantify achievements where possible, such as contributions to shipped titles or improvements in player engagement metrics.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and rationale for your portfolio pieces. Prepare to discuss your approach to UI animation, wireframing, and collaboration with development teams. Be ready to discuss the benefits of hybrid work and your strategies for effective remote and in-office collaboration.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Lighthouse Games' portfolio of titles. Understand their artistic style, game genres, and any known UI elements. Research their company culture and values to articulate why you would be a good fit.

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