UI Artist
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: UI Artist
Company: 2K (Cat Daddy Studio)
Location: Kirkland, Washington, United States
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Art & Design / Game Development
Date Posted: April 21, 2026
Experience Level: 3+ Years Professional Experience
Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office per week)
🚀 Role Summary
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Design and implement visually compelling user interfaces and features for mobile games, specifically the WWE SuperCard team.
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Create a wide range of 2D and 3D UI art assets, including icons, buttons, banners, and basic animations.
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Collaborate closely with artists, designers, and technical art leadership to ensure a cohesive and high-quality player experience.
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Utilize proprietary tools to integrate art assets and animations into the game engine, adhering to established art style and quality standards.
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Actively contribute to UI/UX improvements by evaluating existing interfaces and proposing innovative solutions.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on the visual and interactive elements of a mobile game's user interface, requiring a blend of traditional art skills, graphic design principles, and technical implementation within a game engine. The emphasis on "visualize features from mockups to implementation" highlights the end-to-end responsibility for UI assets.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
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Conceptualize, design, and produce polished user interfaces and interactive features from initial mockups through final implementation.
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Develop 2D and 3D UI art assets, including but not limited to icons, buttons, banners, loading screens, and other graphical elements necessary for a seamless user experience.
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Create and integrate basic UI animations and visual effects to enhance user engagement and provide clear feedback.
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Evaluate existing UI elements within WWE SuperCard, identify areas for improvement, and proactively propose innovative design solutions and new feature concepts.
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Work in tandem with game designers and other artists to ensure that all UI art assets align with the overall game design, narrative, and established art direction.
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Implement art assets, animations, and functionality into the game engine using proprietary tools, ensuring efficient and accurate integration.
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Maintain a high standard of visual quality and consistency across all UI elements, adhering to both project-specific style guides and mobile platform best practices.
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Collaborate with Technical Art and Art Leadership to troubleshoot implementation issues and optimize asset performance for mobile devices.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on approach to UI asset creation and implementation, with a strong requirement for collaboration and proactive problem-solving. The mention of "proprietary tools" suggests a need for adaptability to unique development environments.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: Formal education in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Digital Media, or a related field is beneficial but not strictly required if equivalent professional experience and a strong portfolio are presented.
Experience:
- Minimum of 3 years of professional industry experience in UI Art, Graphic Design, or a closely related field.
Required Skills:
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Exceptional graphic design fundamentals and traditional art skills, with a demonstrable ability to create assets from initial sketches to final, polished game art.
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Proficient understanding of UI/UX standards, best practices, and user-centered design principles.
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Solid grasp of the technical limitations and interactive possibilities specific to current mobile devices.
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Experience implementing UI assets and animations within game engines, with a preference for industry-standard engines like Unreal Engine or Unity.
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Mastery of industry-standard 2D graphics applications, including Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
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Proficiency in 3D modeling and asset creation software, such as 3ds Max.
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Ability to self-motivate, break down complex asset requests, and execute tasks with minimal supervision.
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Professional demeanor and ability to handle constructive criticism and adapt to creative changes throughout the development lifecycle.
Preferred Skills:
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Secondary art focus area expertise, such as motion graphics, advanced typography, character animation, 3D modeling, or special effects.
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Experience with proprietary game engines or tools beyond industry standards.
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Understanding of mobile game monetization strategies and how UI design can influence player engagement and conversion.
📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements clearly prioritize practical experience and a strong portfolio showcasing UI/UX work. The blend of 2D, 3D, and engine implementation skills, along with specific tool proficiencies, indicates a need for a versatile UI Artist. The "secondary art focus area" suggests an openness to candidates with specialized skills that can enhance the team's capabilities.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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A comprehensive online portfolio is mandatory; applications without one will not be considered.
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Showcase a range of UI art projects, demonstrating proficiency in 2D asset creation, 3D UI elements, and interface design.
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Include examples of UI implementation within a game engine context where possible, highlighting your role and contributions.
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Present case studies that detail your process from concept to final asset, including problem-solving and design decisions.
Process Documentation:
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Clearly articulate your workflow for UI asset creation, from initial concept and wireframing to final asset production and implementation.
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Provide examples of how you collaborate with designers and engineers to ensure seamless integration and adherence to technical specifications.
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Detail your approach to iterative design and incorporating feedback to refine UI elements throughout the development cycle.
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Showcase how you manage asset libraries and ensure consistency in art style and branding across various UI components.
📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the most critical component for this role, serving as direct evidence of artistic skill, technical capability, and design thinking. The emphasis on process and collaboration within the portfolio will be key to demonstrating how a candidate functions within a team environment and contributes to a polished final product.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $78,900 - $116,760 per Year (Washington State)
This range is an estimate based on the provided information and market data for a UI Artist with 3+ years of experience in the Kirkland, Washington area. Actual compensation will be determined by factors such as the candidate's specific skills, experience level, and other objective business considerations.
Benefits:
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Comprehensive Medical benefits.
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Financial benefits (details to be provided upon offer).
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Potential for Bonus awards.
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Potential for Equity awards.
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Temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits.
Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement requiring 4 days per week in the Kirkland office.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to Washington state and reflects a typical compensation structure for mid-level UI Artists in the game development industry. The inclusion of bonus and equity awards suggests opportunities for performance-based incentives and long-term investment in the company. The hybrid model requires a balance between remote work and in-office collaboration.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Video Game Development / Entertainment. Cat Daddy Studio is a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive within the 2K Label.
Company Size: While not explicitly stated, Take-Two Interactive is a large, publicly traded company (NASDAQ: TTWO), indicating that Cat Daddy Studio, as a wholly owned subsidiary, is part of a substantial organization with established corporate structures and resources. The studio itself is described as a "family of incredibly hardworking game developers," suggesting a passionate and dedicated team environment.
Founded: Cat Daddy Studio was founded over 25 years ago, bringing a wealth of experience and a long-standing presence in the gaming industry.
Team Structure:
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The UI Artist will join the WWE SuperCard team, a specialized group focused on a specific mobile game title.
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Collaboration is expected with other artists, game designers, and technical art leadership.
Methodology:
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The studio emphasizes a collaborative approach, working with design and technical teams to achieve high-quality results.
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Development likely involves proprietary tools and game engines, requiring adaptability and a problem-solving mindset.
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A focus on "delivering the highest quality results" and "exciting and rewarding game experience" indicates a commitment to player satisfaction and product excellence.
Company Website: https://www.2k.com/
📝 Enhancement Note: Cat Daddy Studio's long history and affiliation with Take-Two Interactive suggest a stable yet dynamic work environment. The emphasis on a "family" atmosphere, combined with the need for rigorous quality and collaboration, points to a culture that values both camaraderie and professional excellence in game development.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level UI Artist, requiring at least 3 years of professional experience. It offers the opportunity to contribute significantly to a popular mobile game title and gain experience with proprietary development tools and workflows.
Reporting Structure: The UI Artist will report to Art Leadership and work closely with Design and Tech Art teams. This structure facilitates direct collaboration and feedback loops essential for UI development.
Operations Impact: The UI Artist directly influences the player's experience by shaping the game's visual interface, usability, and overall aesthetic appeal. Effective UI design is critical for player engagement, retention, and monetization in mobile games like WWE SuperCard.
Growth Opportunities:
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Skill Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific areas like motion graphics, advanced 2D/3D techniques, or UI/UX optimization for mobile platforms.
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Project Leadership: As experience grows, potentially lead UI art efforts on new features or smaller projects.
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Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to game design, technical art, and animation pipelines, fostering a broader understanding of game development.
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Mentorship: Contribute to the development of junior artists and learn from senior team members and art directors.
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Advancement: Potential to progress to Senior UI Artist, Lead UI Artist, or explore related roles within the art department.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a solid foundation for a UI Artist looking to specialize within the mobile gaming sector. The opportunity to work on a well-established title like WWE SuperCard provides valuable experience in a live-service environment, which often leads to significant career development.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid work environment. This role requires a significant presence in the Kirkland office (4 days per week) to foster collaboration, team integration, and access to studio resources.
Office Location(s): Kirkland, Washington, United States. This location is a hub for technology and game development in the Pacific Northwest.
Workspace Context:
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The office environment is expected to be collaborative, with opportunities to interact with fellow artists, designers, and developers.
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Access to industry-standard hardware, software, and proprietary tools essential for UI art creation and implementation.
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The hybrid model balances the benefits of in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work.
Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement allows for work from home on one day of the week, providing flexibility while ensuring consistent team engagement.
📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of this role's work environment. The requirement for 4 days in-office suggests a strong emphasis on team synergy, real-time feedback, and the benefits of face-to-face problem-solving, which are crucial in creative fields like game art.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Initial Screening: Review of resume and mandatory online portfolio to assess experience, skills, and artistic quality.
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Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A more in-depth discussion of portfolio pieces, focusing on your process, design decisions, technical implementation, and problem-solving approaches. Expect questions related to UI/UX principles and mobile game development challenges.
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Art/Design Collaboration Exercise: Potentially a small, timed art challenge or a collaborative problem-solving session with members of the art and design teams to assess your creative thinking, adaptability, and ability to work within constraints.
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Team/Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about your experience, cultural fit, communication skills, and understanding of the studio's values and the WWE SuperCard game.
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Final Interview: May involve higher-level art direction or studio management to finalize the decision.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Curate Strategically: Select 5-8 of your strongest, most relevant UI art projects that best showcase your skills for mobile game development.
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Showcase Process: For each project, include a brief overview, your specific role and contributions, design challenges, and how you overcame them. Wireframes, sketches, and iterations are valuable.
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Highlight Technical Proficiency: Clearly demonstrate your ability to create assets suitable for engine implementation. Mention tools used and any optimization considerations.
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Mobile Focus: Emphasize projects that clearly demonstrate an understanding of mobile UI/UX limitations and best practices.
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Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing.
Challenge Preparation:
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UI/UX Fundamentals: Brush up on core UI/UX principles, common mobile design patterns, and accessibility considerations.
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Art Style Consistency: Be prepared to discuss how you would adapt your style to match an existing game's art direction.
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Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think about how you would approach common UI challenges, such as fitting complex information into small screens or designing intuitive navigation.
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Tool Proficiency: Be ready to talk about your experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, 3ds Max, and game engines like Unity or Unreal.
📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily relies on the portfolio. Candidates should prepare to not only show their work but also articulate the "why" and "how" behind their design decisions, demonstrating a strategic and collaborative approach to UI art.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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2D Graphics Software: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator (essential for creating icons, buttons, banners, and textures).
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3D Graphics Software: 3ds Max (or similar, for creating 3D UI elements, assets, or integrating existing 3D models).
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Game Engines: Unreal Engine, Unity (experience with implementing UI assets and animations within these engines is crucial).
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Proprietary Game Engine: Familiarity with or ability to quickly learn the studio's in-house engine for UI implementation.
Analytics & Reporting:
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Project Management Tools: Jira, TestTrackPro (Perforce Helix ALM) are essential for tracking tasks, bugs, and feature requests.
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Version Control: Perforce (Helix Core) is critical for managing game assets and code in a collaborative environment.
CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the UI Artist role, but understanding how UI impacts player acquisition and retention (which are often managed via CRM/marketing automation) can be beneficial.
📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard art creation tools and familiarity with game engine UI implementation are non-negotiable. Experience with version control and project management software is expected for seamless integration into team workflows.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Quality & Excellence: A commitment to delivering the highest quality results and creating an exciting, rewarding game experience.
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Collaboration & Teamwork: Working closely with artists, designers, and tech art leadership to achieve shared goals.
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Innovation & Problem-Solving: Bringing ideas to the table, evaluating current UI, and finding creative solutions to design challenges.
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Adaptability & Professionalism: Responding gracefully to creative changes and maintaining a professional attitude throughout the development cycle.
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Passion for Gaming: A genuine enthusiasm for creating fun and engaging games.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-Functional Integration: The UI Artist is expected to work seamlessly with game designers to translate concepts into functional interfaces and with technical artists to ensure successful implementation.
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Feedback-Oriented: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback is vital for iterative design and quality improvement.
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Proactive Communication: Regularly communicating progress, potential issues, and ideas with team leads and collaborators.
📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Cat Daddy Studio appears to value both individual contribution and strong teamwork. The emphasis on a "family" atmosphere suggests a supportive environment, while the demands of game development require a high degree of professionalism, adaptability, and a shared commitment to quality.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality: Effectively translating complex game mechanics and information into intuitive, visually appealing, and performant mobile UI.
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Adapting to Proprietary Tools: Quickly learning and mastering the studio's unique tools and workflows for UI implementation.
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Iterative Design Cycles: Managing feedback and revisions throughout development, ensuring the UI remains aligned with evolving game design.
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Mobile Platform Constraints: Designing for diverse screen sizes, resolutions, and performance capabilities inherent to mobile devices.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Specialized UI/UX Training: Opportunities to deepen knowledge in advanced UI/UX principles, mobile design trends, and user research methodologies.
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Game Engine Workshops: Further development of skills in Unity or Unreal Engine for UI implementation and optimization.
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Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Learning from other art disciplines (environment, character, VFX) and design teams to broaden understanding of the game development pipeline.
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Mentorship Programs: Potential to be mentored by senior artists or art directors, offering guidance on career progression and skill development.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle complex UI challenges within the mobile gaming space, particularly on a live-service title. The studio's environment likely fosters continuous learning, with chances to expand technical and artistic skill sets.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe your process for taking a UI feature from initial concept to final implementation in a game." (Focus on your workflow, tools, and collaboration steps.)
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"How do you approach balancing aesthetic quality with functional requirements and technical limitations, especially on mobile platforms?" (Highlight your understanding of UI/UX constraints.)
Company & Culture Questions:
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"What interests you about working on WWE SuperCard and Cat Daddy Studio specifically?" (Research the game and the studio's history.)
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"How do you handle constructive criticism or significant creative changes during the development process?" (Emphasize your adaptability and professionalism.)
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Storytelling: For each portfolio piece, tell a story about the project, your role, the challenges, and the solutions. Focus on the impact of your work.
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Visual Clarity: Use clear, high-quality images and videos. If presenting in-engine work, ensure it looks polished.
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Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio efficiently, focusing on the most relevant aspects for this role. Avoid getting bogged down in minor details.
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Interactive Elements: If possible, demonstrate interactive UI elements or animations to showcase dynamism.
📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for not just artistic talent but also a strong understanding of the game development process, collaborative spirit, and problem-solving capabilities. Your portfolio is your primary tool; be ready to defend and explain every piece within it.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this UI Artist position:
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Submit your application through the provided application link on greenhouse.io.
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Portfolio Customization: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, showcases your strongest UI art and design work relevant to mobile games, and clearly details your process and contributions. Tailor the projects highlighted to match the responsibilities of this role.
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Resume Optimization: Highlight your 3+ years of professional experience, specific UI/UX skills, proficiency with required software (Photoshop, Illustrator, 3ds Max), and any mobile game development experience. Use keywords from the job description.
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Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving strategies, and experience with game engines. Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail and answer questions about UI/UX principles and mobile game design.
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Company Research: Familiarize yourself with 2K, Cat Daddy Studio, and the WWE SuperCard game. Understand their art style, target audience, and market position. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.
⚠️ 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.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have 3+ years of professional industry experience and a strong portfolio showcasing UI/UX work. Proficiency in industry-standard graphics software and game engines like Unity or Unreal is required.