UI Artist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Artist
Company: Digital Extremes
Location: London, Ontario, Canada / Remote
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Game Development Operations / Creative Operations
Date Posted: 2025-07-24T15:28:12
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid/Remote Eligible

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the visual evolution and enhancement of Warframe's user interface, ensuring a cohesive and engaging player experience.
• Collaborate closely with UI Art Leads, Principal UI Artists, game designers, and UI programmers to translate design concepts into functional and aesthetically pleasing UI elements.
• Contribute to the strategic definition and implementation of new visual styles for the game's interface, aligning with established brand identity and technical constraints.
• Utilize a range of industry-standard design and project management tools to facilitate efficient workflow and clear communication across development teams.
• Focus on creating high-performance, game-ready UI assets that optimize visual fidelity and user interaction within technical limitations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations" category is inferred due to the role's focus on process, system utilization (design tools, project management, version control), and cross-functional collaboration within a large-scale game development environment, which mirrors operational functions in other industries. The role requires managing the "operations" of the UI development pipeline.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and polish user interface elements for Warframe, ensuring alignment with the game's established visual identity and technical constraints.
• Develop wireframes, interactive prototypes, and visual layouts for in-game interfaces, demonstrating strong UI/UX fundamentals and screen layout principles.
• Create high-quality, game-ready UI assets optimized for performance, utilizing advanced skills in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
• Collaborate with UI programmers to effectively convey design feedback, troubleshoot technical issues, and ensure seamless integration of UI elements.
• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of Warframe's interface by assisting in the definition and implementation of new visual styles where required.
• Actively participate in team discussions and iterative design processes, providing creative input and solutions to UI challenges.
• Maintain a strong understanding of player experience and advocate for UI design decisions that enhance usability and engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities are detailed to reflect the practical application of UI design within a game development context, emphasizing collaboration, asset creation, and technical integration, which are key "operational" aspects of creative output in a studio environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational background in Graphic Design, Digital Art, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is highly beneficial and often demonstrated through a robust portfolio.
Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in UI/UX design, with a significant portion ideally gained within AAA game development or a comparable, high-volume creative industry.

Required Skills:

• Proven UI/UX design expertise with a strong portfolio showcasing screen layout, iconography design, and user flow.
• Advanced proficiency in UI/UX design tools such as Adobe XD or Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and visual layout creation.
• Expert-level skills in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator for asset creation and manipulation.
• Demonstrated experience in collaborating effectively with UI programmers, providing clear and actionable design feedback.
• Familiarity with project management and version control systems commonly used in game development, including Jira, Basecamp, and Perforce.
• Ability to create game-ready UI assets that are optimized for performance and adhere to technical specifications.
• A genuine passion for video games and a deep understanding of player experience principles.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics tools (e.g., After Effects) for UI animation and dynamic elements.
• Understanding of UI implementation pipelines and engine-specific UI tools (e.g., Unreal Engine's UMG).
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices in UI design.
• Experience in iterative design processes, A/B testing UI elements, and analyzing user feedback for optimization.
• Familiarity with broader game development workflows and the impact of UI on overall game design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific tools like Adobe XD, Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator, Jira, Basecamp, and Perforce, alongside the requirement for game-ready assets and player experience understanding, points to a mid-to-senior level role requiring specialized operational proficiency within the creative pipeline.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 5 years of professional UI/UX design work, with a strong emphasis on game UI projects.
• Clear demonstration of UI/UX fundamentals, including screen layout, information architecture, user flow diagrams, and interaction design principles.
• Examples of wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final visual designs for complex interfaces.
• Case studies that detail the design process, including problem identification, ideation, user testing, iteration, and final implementation, highlighting your role and contributions.
• Evidence of creating visually appealing and functionally robust UI assets optimized for performance and specific technical constraints.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase clear examples of your workflow for designing and iterating on UI elements, from initial concept to final asset delivery.
• Demonstrate how you translate design requirements and technical specifications into actionable design plans and assets.
• Include examples of how you have collaborated with programmers and other disciplines, providing documentation or specifications that facilitated smooth integration.
• Highlight experience in optimizing UI assets for performance and memory usage within game engine constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for UI Artist roles, and this section emphasizes the need for demonstrable process and system utilization, aligning with operational excellence in creative production. The focus is on the "how" and "why" behind the design work, not just the final output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a UI Artist with 5-10 years of experience in the AAA gaming sector in Canada, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between CAD $70,000 - $110,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in London, Ontario, and the specialized skills required.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary with potential bonus opportunities, reflecting the value of specialized creative and technical skills.
• Comprehensive benefits package, likely including health, dental, and vision coverage, crucial for employee well-being.
• Generous paid time off to promote work-life balance and prevent burnout.
• Matching RRSP or Simple IRA contributions, supporting long-term financial planning for employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and virtual access to mental wellness and healthcare services (Dialogue or Guardian) for comprehensive support.
• Investment in professional development and career support, enabling continuous learning and skill enhancement in the evolving game development landscape.
• Work-life balance wellness subsidies to encourage healthy lifestyle choices.
• Opportunities to participate in company-wide "Giving Back" initiatives and employee events/team building exercises, fostering a sense of community.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are likely 40 hours per week, typical for full-time roles in the tech and gaming industry. While core hours will exist for collaboration, there may be flexibility offered, particularly for remote or hybrid employees, to accommodate project deadlines and personal needs, provided operational output is maintained.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is an estimate based on typical Canadian market rates for experienced UI Artists in the gaming industry. Benefits are listed as provided by the company and are tailored to highlight aspects valuable to operations professionals seeking stability and growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Extremes operates within the Video Game Development industry, specifically focusing on AAA PC and console gaming, with a strong emphasis on live-service Free-to-Play (F2P) titles like Warframe. This industry context means a fast-paced, iterative development cycle, a focus on player community engagement, and a need for continuous content updates and UI improvements. Company Size: Digital Extremes is a well-established studio, recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. While exact employee numbers fluctuate, it's a significant studio size, indicating a structured organization with specialized teams and established processes for game development. This scale offers opportunities for specialization and collaboration with diverse talent. Founded: Founded in 1993, Digital Extremes has a long history in game development, evolving from its roots with the Unreal franchise to achieving massive success with Warframe and now developing Soulframe. This longevity suggests a stable company with a proven track record and a mature development culture.

Team Structure:

• The UI team is likely structured with a UI Art Lead overseeing a group of UI Artists, UI/UX Designers, and potentially UI Programmers.
• Reporting lines would typically go from UI Artists to the UI Art Lead or Principal UI Artist, who then reports to higher-level art or game directors.
• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with UI Artists working closely with game designers to understand gameplay mechanics, UI programmers for implementation feasibility, and potentially QA testers for bug reporting and refinement.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights: While primarily a creative role, UI Artists must consider player data and feedback to inform design decisions, ensuring UI improvements are data-driven and enhance player experience.
• Workflow Planning and Optimization: The role involves contributing to the UI development pipeline, ensuring efficient asset creation, iteration, and integration processes.
• Automation and Efficiency Practices: Leveraging design tools effectively and collaborating with programmers to streamline UI implementation contributes to overall development efficiency.

Company Website: www.digitalextremes.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's history, success with Warframe, and focus on live services indicate a dynamic environment where UI plays a critical role in player retention and engagement. The team structure and methodologies are inferred to be standard for a large-scale game studio, emphasizing collaboration and process.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is classified as a Mid-Senior level role. It requires a significant depth of experience and autonomy in executing UI art tasks, contributing to design strategy, and mentoring junior team members if applicable. The scope of responsibility includes not just asset creation but also influencing the direction and quality of the game's interface. Reporting Structure: The UI Artist will report to a UI Art Lead or a Principal UI Artist. They will work collaboratively with UI programmers, game designers, and other art disciplines, forming a key part of the game's core development team. Operations Impact: The UI Artist's work directly impacts player experience, game accessibility, and the overall aesthetic appeal of Warframe. Effective UI design can improve player retention, streamline in-game navigation, and contribute significantly to the game's commercial success and community satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific UI/UX design tools, game engines, and asset optimization techniques.
• Industry Specialization: Potential to specialize further in areas like motion UI, accessibility design, or lead roles within the UI art discipline.
• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success and leadership qualities, there's a path towards becoming a Senior UI Artist, Lead UI Artist, or even moving into UI/UX Art Direction roles within the studio.
• Project Diversity: The chance to work on Warframe's continuous updates and potentially contribute to new titles like Soulframe, offering diverse challenges and learning experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career progression within a AAA studio like Digital Extremes for a UI Artist typically involves deepening technical and artistic skills, taking on more complex features, and potentially moving into leadership or specialized roles, all of which are "operations" of career development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Digital Extremes is headquartered in London, Ontario, Canada, and offers both on-site and remote work arrangements for this position. The on-site environment is likely a modern, collaborative studio space designed to foster creativity and teamwork. Office Location(s): The primary office is in London, Ontario. The remote option allows candidates from other locations to contribute, provided they can effectively collaborate digitally. Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to support collaborative creative processes, with opportunities for spontaneous discussions and structured critique sessions.
• Access to high-performance workstations and the latest design software and hardware is expected.
• The team environment encourages knowledge sharing, mentorship, and a shared passion for creating high-quality games.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, likely with standard business hours. However, the gaming industry often requires flexibility to meet project deadlines, with potential for extended hours during critical development phases. The remote/hybrid option provides flexibility in structuring the workday, provided tasks are completed efficiently and collaboration is maintained.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid/remote option highlights a modern work environment approach, which requires strong digital collaboration tools and processes to maintain operational efficiency and team cohesion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative output.
• Technical/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth discussion about your portfolio with a UI Art Lead or Senior Artist, focusing on your design process, tool proficiency, and problem-solving skills. Be prepared to discuss specific projects, your role, and the challenges you overcame.
• Skills Assessment/Challenge: You may be given a small design challenge or asked to perform a task to evaluate your practical skills and approach to UI asset creation or problem-solving within a given timeframe.
• Cultural Fit Interview: A discussion with team members or hiring managers to assess your fit with the studio culture, collaboration style, and passion for gaming.
• Final Interview: Potentially with higher management or directors to discuss your overall fit and potential contribution to the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Effectively: Showcase your best and most relevant work, focusing on UI/UX design for games. Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project or skill.
• Detail Your Process: For each project, explain the problem, your approach, the tools you used, your specific contributions, and the outcome. Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your journey.
• Highlight Collaboration: Where possible, demonstrate how you've worked with programmers and designers. Mention any version control or project management tools used.
• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Include examples of optimized UI assets and discuss your understanding of performance considerations.
• Tailor to Warframe: If possible, show work that aligns with Warframe's aesthetic or demonstrates your ability to adapt to established visual styles.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read any provided design challenge instructions.
• Focus on Process: Even if the output is simple, focus on demonstrating your thought process, problem-solving skills, and adherence to UI/UX best practices.
• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a given timeframe.
• Presentation: Prepare to clearly articulate your design choices and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review are critical "operational" steps. Preparing thoroughly for these stages, especially the portfolio, is key to demonstrating your capabilities and suitability for the role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UI/UX Design Software: Adobe XD or Figma (essential for wireframing, prototyping, and visual design).
• Graphics Editing Software: Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator (advanced skills required for asset creation and manipulation).
• Project Management: Jira and Basecamp (for task tracking, workflow management, and team communication).
• Version Control: Perforce (standard for game asset management and version tracking).

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly in the scope of a UI Artist, understanding how player analytics and feedback (e.g., from tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or internal analytics platforms) can inform UI design decisions is beneficial. CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this role, but familiarity with how user data is managed within a game context can be helpful. Integration tools are typically handled by programmers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the specified tools (Adobe XD, Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator, Jira, Basecamp, Perforce) is a non-negotiable operational requirement for this role, indicating the technical foundation needed to perform the job effectively.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams, sharing knowledge, and contributing to a cohesive team environment.
• Player-Centricity: A commitment to understanding and improving the player experience through thoughtful and effective UI design.
• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to producing high-quality visual assets and intuitive interfaces that meet rigorous standards.
• Adaptability & Iteration: Willingness to embrace feedback, iterate on designs, and adapt to evolving project requirements and new technologies.
• Efficiency: A focus on creating optimized assets and streamlined workflows to support the overall development process.

Collaboration Style:

• Open communication and constructive feedback are encouraged within the art and design teams.
• Proactive engagement with UI programmers to ensure technical feasibility and smooth implementation.
• A team-oriented approach, where collective success is prioritized, and individual contributions support larger project goals.
• Willingness to participate in knowledge-sharing sessions and contribute to a positive and productive work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inferred values and collaboration style reflect the operational needs of a successful game studio, emphasizing teamwork, quality, and a shared commitment to the player.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality: Constantly finding the sweet spot between visually appealing UI and intuitive, user-friendly design within technical constraints.
• Adapting to Existing Style Guides: Learning and adhering to Warframe's established visual identity while also contributing to its evolution.
• Iterative Design Cycles: Working within a fast-paced, iterative development process that requires quick turnarounds and adaptability to changing requirements.
• Technical Limitations: Designing within the performance and memory budgets of the game engine, requiring creative problem-solving for asset optimization.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to refine skills in advanced UI/UX design techniques, animation, and potentially new software or tools.
• Industry Exposure: Working on a flagship title like Warframe provides exposure to industry-leading practices and trends in game UI.
• Mentorship: Learning from experienced UI Art Leads and Principal UI Artists, gaining insights into best practices and career development.
• New Projects: Potential involvement in the development of new titles, offering exposure to different design challenges and creative directions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding potential challenges and available growth opportunities is crucial for operational career planning and professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operations Strategy: "How do you approach designing a new UI feature for a live-service game like Warframe, considering player feedback and technical constraints?" Be ready to discuss your process from ideation to implementation.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Describe a time you had a disagreement with a programmer or designer about a UI element. How did you resolve it and what was the outcome?" Highlight your communication and negotiation skills.
• Problem-Solving: "Walk me through a challenging UI asset you had to create. What were the specific problems, how did you overcome them, and what was the final result?" Focus on your technical and creative problem-solving approach.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Warframe and Digital Extremes specifically?" Show you've researched the game and studio culture.
• "How do you stay updated on the latest UI/UX trends in the gaming industry?" Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning.
• "How do you handle constructive criticism on your designs?" Show your openness to feedback and iterative improvement.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio projects as narratives. Start with the problem, explain your process and solutions, and conclude with the impact or outcome.
• Highlighting Process: Emphasize wireframes, user flows, and iterations to show your thinking.
• Metrics & Impact: If possible, quantify the impact of your UI designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced player confusion, positive feedback).
• Tool Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss the specific tools you used for each project and why you chose them.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these types of questions and strategies will help you demonstrate your operational thinking, problem-solving abilities, and suitability for a collaborative, results-oriented role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Artist position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Greenhouse.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and specifically highlights UI/UX design work relevant to gaming. Organize it clearly with case studies detailing your process and contributions.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of UI/UX experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, UI/UX tools (XD/Figma), and experience with project management/version control systems (Jira, Perforce). Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approaches, and collaborative experiences. Prepare specific examples for common interview questions.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Warframe's current UI, its art style, and Digital Extremes' company culture and values. Understand their position in the gaming industry and their commitment to player experience.

⚠️ 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.