UI Artist at Epic Games

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Artist Company: Epic Games Location: Cary, North Carolina, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: Game Development / Art & Design Date Posted: 2025-08-22 Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Design and implement visually striking User Interface (UI) elements for the Fortnite ecosystem, ensuring brand consistency and player engagement.
Collaborate closely with UX Designers, Tech UI Designers, Art Direction, and Engineers to bring UI concepts to life within the Unreal Engine.
Utilize industry-standard design tools like Figma and Adobe Suite for concept creation, and Unreal Engine (UMG/Materials) for implementation and polish.
Optimize UI assets for seamless performance across multiple platforms including PC, console, and mobile, adhering to accessibility best practices.
Contribute to the development and maintenance of UI design systems, style guides, and asset libraries to ensure visual coherence across all Fortnite experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the UI Art aspect within game development, emphasizing the visual design and implementation of user interfaces for a major title, Fortnite. The "Multiproduct / Ecosystem" designation suggests a broad scope of work potentially touching various features or platforms within the Fortnite universe.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Develop high-fidelity UI mockups, prototypes, and final assets that align with Fortnite's established art style and brand guidelines.
Implement UI features within the Unreal Engine using UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics) and materials, including animations and motion graphics.
Iterate on UI designs based on feedback from Art Directors, Product UX teams, user testing, and cross-functional stakeholders to achieve optimal player experience.
Create and implement new material effects, basic blueprint logic, and 2D/animated effects to enhance UI interactivity and player feedback mechanisms.
Ensure UI assets are optimized for performance and visual quality across diverse platforms (PC, console, mobile) without compromising aesthetic integrity.
Apply accessibility best practices to all UI elements to ensure usability and legibility for a global player base.
Collaborate with localization teams to ensure the UI supports multiple languages and regional variations effectively.
Maintain and contribute to UI asset libraries and style guides, promoting consistency and efficient asset management.
Work within an Agile development environment, participating in sprint planning, reviews, and contributing to iterative design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative UI design, technical implementation within a game engine, and collaborative problem-solving, common in mid-level game art roles. The emphasis on "live game environment" and "fast-paced" suggests the need for adaptability and efficient workflow.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

While no specific degree is listed, a background in Graphic Design, Digital Art, Interaction Design, or a related field is implicitly expected, often demonstrated through a strong portfolio.

Experience:

3-5 years of professional experience in UI Art, with a focus on game development or interactive experiences.
Proven experience working within Agile development methodologies and on multi-disciplinary teams.
Demonstrated ability to see complex UI features through to completion, from concept to implementation.

Required Skills:

Visual Design Excellence: Exceptional visual design skills with a strong understanding of typography, color theory, layout, and composition.
UI Art Implementation: Proficiency in implementing UI within a game engine, specifically Unreal Engine using UMG and Materials.
Design Tool Proficiency: Expert-level skills in Figma, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, or comparable design and prototyping software.
Portfolio: A strong, curated portfolio showcasing a range of UI art skills, including mockups, prototypes, motion design, and in-engine implementation.
Game Engine Familiarity: Experience building UI materials and shaders for game engines, or equivalent 3D packages and FX tools.
Motion Design & Animation: Experience with motion design and UI animation, preferably within the context of games or interaction design.
Adaptability & Iteration: Ability to rapidly modify work as information changes and see features through to completion in a dynamic environment.
Player Empathy: A genuine passion for making and playing games, coupled with a strong sense of player empathy and understanding of user needs.
Proactiveness & Ownership: A proactive individual who takes ownership of outcomes and can effectively manage ambiguity and adapt to changing plans.

Preferred Skills:

Experience working on or shipping a AAA game title.
Experience with building and utilizing design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 3-5 years, coupled with the mention of "minimal oversight" for complex flows, positions this as a mid-level role. The emphasis on a strong portfolio and specific tool proficiency (Figma, Adobe Suite, Unreal Engine/UMG) are critical for candidates to highlight.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Showcase a diverse range of UI projects, demonstrating proficiency in creating high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and polished in-engine UI.
Include case studies that detail your process, from initial concept and wireframing to final implementation and optimization, highlighting problem-solving approaches.
Demonstrate experience with UI asset creation, including icons, menus, HUD elements, and motion graphics, tailored to specific game or platform requirements.
Highlight your ability to adapt designs based on user feedback, technical constraints, and brand guidelines, showing iterative design capabilities.
Present a clear understanding of how your UI designs contribute to overall player experience and game flow.

Process Documentation:

Detail your workflow for creating UI assets, from concept generation using tools like Figma/Photoshop to asset preparation for engine integration.
Explain your process for implementing UI within Unreal Engine's UMG, including material creation, animation, and blueprint logic for interactivity.
Describe how you approach UI optimization for different platforms (PC, console, mobile) and how you ensure visual quality and performance.
Outline your methods for incorporating accessibility best practices and ensuring UI localization readiness.

📝 Enhancement Note: A portfolio is explicitly stated as a requirement. The emphasis on "showcasing your skills and your process" indicates that candidates need to present not just final assets but also the journey and thought process behind them, including tool usage and problem-solving.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Estimate: Based on industry standards for a Mid-Level UI Artist with 3-5 years of experience in Cary, North Carolina, the estimated salary range is approximately $85,000 - $115,000 annually. This range accounts for the specific skills required (Unreal Engine, Figma, Adobe Suite) and the high-demand nature of UI art in the gaming industry, especially at a company like Epic Games.
Methodology: This estimate is derived from analyzing publicly available salary data for UI Artists in similar geographic locations and experience levels on platforms like Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry-specific salary surveys. Adjustments are made for the company's reputation and the specialized skill set for game development.

Benefits:

Comprehensive Health Coverage: 100% premium coverage for Medical, Dental, and a Vision HRA for both employees and dependents.
Retirement Savings: 401k plan with a competitive company match.
Disability & Life Insurance: Long Term Disability and Life Insurance policies provided.
Mental Well-being Support: Robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, offering free therapy and coaching for employees and dependents.
Work-Life Balance: Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) and sick time, promoting flexibility and employee well-being.
Recognition & Perks: Company-wide paid breaks and events to foster community and celebrate employee contributions.
Long-Term Tenure Reward: A paid sabbatical for employees reaching 7 years of service.

Working Hours:

The role is likely based on a standard 40-hour work week, typical for full-time positions in the tech and gaming industry. While the hours are standard, the unlimited PTO and focus on well-being suggest flexibility is encouraged where feasible, provided project deadlines and collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on industry benchmarks for the specified role and location. The benefits package is exceptionally strong, with a significant emphasis on employee well-being and comprehensive coverage, which is a key differentiator for Epic Games.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development, Technology & Entertainment. Epic Games is a leader in creating cutting-edge game engines and award-winning games, known for innovation and pushing visual boundaries. Company Size: Over 4,500 employees globally, with 46 studios across 25 countries. This signifies a large, established company with a significant global presence and resources. Founded: Over 25 years ago, indicating a long history of experience and stability in the gaming industry.

Team Structure:

The UI Artist will be part of the Fortnite Multiproduct / Ecosystem team, suggesting a dedicated group focused on the user interface and experience across various features or components of the Fortnite game.
This team likely includes UX Designers, Tech UI Designers, Art Directors, Game Designers, and Engineers, requiring strong cross-functional collaboration.
Reporting structure is likely to a Lead UI Artist or Art Director within the Fortnite division.

Methodology:

Agile Development: The team operates within Agile environments, emphasizing iterative development, collaboration, and rapid response to feedback and changing requirements.
Data-Driven Design: UI is likely informed by user testing, player feedback, and analytics to ensure optimal usability, engagement, and adherence to accessibility standards.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: A key aspect of Epic's methodology is close collaboration between art, design, product, and engineering teams to ensure a cohesive and high-quality product.

Company Website: https://www.epicgames.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Epic Games fosters a culture of innovation and creativity, encouraging employees to push boundaries. The emphasis on collaboration and taking ownership is key. The company's success in both game development and engine technology suggests a high bar for quality and technical execution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UI Artist, indicating a professional who has moved beyond entry-level tasks and can independently handle complex UI design and implementation tasks, requiring a strong understanding of the full UI development lifecycle.

Reporting Structure: The UI Artist will likely report to a Lead UI Artist or Art Director within the Fortnite team, providing direct guidance and feedback on artistic direction and project execution. Collaboration will extend across various disciplines including UX Design, Product Management, and Engineering.

Operations Impact: The UI Artist's work directly impacts the player experience, influencing usability, engagement, and the overall aesthetic appeal of Fortnite. High-quality UI is crucial for player retention and satisfaction, especially in a live-service game with millions of users. Effective UI design can streamline player interaction, improve onboarding, and enhance the emotional connection to the game.

Growth Opportunities:

Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UI art, such as motion design, material effects, or accessibility implementation within Unreal Engine.
Leadership Potential: Progression to Senior UI Artist or Lead UI Artist roles, involving mentorship of junior artists and greater ownership of UI direction.
Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to game design, UX design, and engineering processes, potentially leading to broader roles in product development or technical art.
Project Variety: As part of the Fortnite ecosystem, there's potential to work on diverse features, modes, or platforms, offering varied challenges and learning experiences.
Industry Recognition: Contributing to a globally recognized title like Fortnite can significantly enhance professional reputation and career marketability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a UI Artist at Epic Games is typically through increasing complexity of projects, taking on more ownership, and potentially moving into leadership or specialized technical art roles. The company's commitment to employee development, evident in its benefits, suggests support for continuous learning.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly stated as "On-site," indicating a traditional office-based work environment. Office Location(s): Cary, North Carolina, United States. This location is a key hub for Epic Games, suggesting a vibrant office setting with potential for ample collaboration.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Hub: The Cary office environment is likely designed to foster collaboration, with open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and spaces for team interaction, crucial for the cross-functional nature of game development.
Creative Ecosystem: Employees will have access to state-of-the-art technology and tools necessary for high-end game art creation, including powerful workstations and relevant software.
Team Interaction: The on-site requirement facilitates direct interaction with designers, artists, and engineers, enabling real-time feedback, brainstorming, and problem-solving critical for rapid iteration in a live game.

Work Schedule: While the standard work week is likely 40 hours, the emphasis on unlimited PTO and well-being suggests a culture that values work-life balance. However, in the gaming industry, crunch periods may occur around major releases or deadlines, requiring flexibility. The on-site nature ensures immediate availability for team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the value Epic Games places on in-person collaboration and team synergy for creative and iterative development processes.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of your resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and artistic fit.
Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deeper dive into your portfolio, discussing your process, contributions to specific projects, and technical skills (Unreal Engine, UMG, Figma, Adobe Suite). Expect questions about your problem-solving approaches and how you handle feedback.
Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with members of the Fortnite team, including UX Designers, Tech UI Designers, Game Designers, or Engineers, to evaluate collaboration skills, communication, and understanding of game development pipelines.
Art Direction/Manager Interview: A discussion with the Art Director or Hiring Manager to assess artistic vision, cultural fit, passion for games, and alignment with Epic Games' values and the specific needs of the Fortnite team.
Final Round: Potentially a final interview with senior leadership or a wrap-up session.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design thinking, problem-solving steps, and iterative process for each project. Use case studies to explain your contributions.
Highlight Engine Implementation: Include examples of UI implemented within a game engine (Unreal Engine preferred), demonstrating your technical proficiency with UMG, materials, and animations.
Visual Polish: Ensure your portfolio pieces are visually polished, well-organized, and easy to navigate. Demonstrate a strong sense of visual design and attention to detail.
Platform Optimization: If possible, show how you considered and implemented UI for different platforms (PC, console, mobile), addressing responsiveness and optimization.
Accessibility Focus: If you have examples that showcase attention to accessibility standards, be prepared to discuss them.
Tailor to Fortnite: Research Fortnite's current UI style and brand. If you have projects that align with or demonstrate an understanding of this aesthetic, highlight them.

Challenge Preparation:

Be prepared for potential small design challenges or technical exercises, either during the interview or as a take-home assignment, to assess your practical skills.
Practice articulating your UI design decisions clearly and concisely, focusing on how they meet user needs and project goals.
Prepare to discuss your experience with materials, shaders, and basic blueprint logic in Unreal Engine, as these are mentioned as part of the role.
Think about how you would approach designing or implementing a specific UI feature for Fortnite, considering its existing style and player base.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical and should not only display artistic skill but also the candidate's process, technical implementation capabilities within Unreal Engine, and understanding of game development workflows.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Figma: Essential for UI concept creation, wireframing, prototyping, and design system management.
Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): Core tools for asset creation, image manipulation, vector graphics, and visual polish.
Unreal Engine (UMG): The primary engine for UI implementation, requiring proficiency in creating widgets, implementing logic, and utilizing materials.
Materials/Shaders: Experience in creating or modifying materials and shaders for UI elements within Unreal Engine to achieve specific visual effects.

Analytics & Reporting:

While not explicitly listed as a direct responsibility for the UI Artist, understanding how UI performance and player engagement are tracked through analytics tools (e.g., internal Epic analytics platforms) can be beneficial for design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

Not directly applicable to this role, as the focus is on creative and technical UI development rather than sales or marketing operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Suite, and particularly Unreal Engine's UMG and material system is paramount. Candidates should emphasize their hands-on experience with these tools in their portfolio and interviews.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Creativity & Innovation: A core value at Epic Games, encouraging pushing artistic boundaries and exploring new visual solutions for UI.
Collaboration & Teamwork: Strong emphasis on working effectively with diverse teams to achieve common goals, sharing ideas and feedback openly.
Player Focus: Deep commitment to understanding and serving the player base, designing UI that enhances the player experience and enjoyment.
Quality & Craftsmanship: A dedication to high standards of visual fidelity, polish, and technical execution in all aspects of UI development.
Ownership & Proactivity: Encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their work, drive initiatives, and proactively solve problems.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Integration: UI Artists work closely with UX designers, game designers, product managers, and engineers, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate different perspectives into cohesive UI solutions.
Iterative Feedback Loops: The team likely embraces a culture of continuous feedback, where designs are shared early and often, and iteration is a key part of the development process.
Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to share learnings, techniques, and best practices within the art team and across disciplines, fostering collective growth and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values both individual creativity and collaborative effort. Candidates who can demonstrate a passion for games, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to quality will likely fit well within the Epic Games environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Maintaining Visual Consistency: Ensuring a consistent and high-quality UI across a vast and evolving game like Fortnite, which spans multiple products and updates.
Platform Optimization: Balancing visual fidelity with performance requirements across diverse platforms (PC, mobile, consoles), which can involve technical constraints.
Rapid Iteration: Adapting to frequent changes in game design, features, and player feedback in a fast-paced live-service environment.
Balancing Artistic Vision with Technical Implementation: Translating complex artistic concepts into functional UI within the constraints of the Unreal Engine and development pipeline.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Unreal Engine Expertise: Deepening skills in Unreal Engine's UI systems, materials, and scripting capabilities through hands-on project work.
Advanced Motion Graphics: Opportunities to refine motion design and animation skills for UI, contributing to a more dynamic and engaging player experience.
Design System Development: Contributing to or learning from the development of robust UI design systems that ensure scalability and consistency.
Industry Exposure: Working on one of the world's most popular games provides invaluable experience and exposure to best practices in game development and UI design.
Mentorship: Potential to learn from senior artists and leads, gaining insights into advanced techniques and career development strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for growth by working on a high-profile, constantly evolving product. The primary challenges revolve around the scale, pace, and technical demands of live-service game development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

UI Design Philosophy: Be prepared to discuss your approach to UI design, how you balance aesthetics with usability, and how you ensure a positive player experience.
Process & Problem-Solving: Explain your workflow for a typical UI project, from initial concept to final implementation. Be ready to describe how you tackle design challenges, handle feedback, and adapt to changes.
Unreal Engine Implementation: Detail your experience with UMG, materials, and shaders in Unreal Engine. Be ready to explain how you've implemented animations or interactive elements.
Collaboration & Teamwork: Discuss how you collaborate with designers, engineers, and other artists. Provide examples of successful cross-functional projects and how you managed differing opinions or requirements.
Player Empathy: Explain how you consider the player's perspective when designing UI and how you ensure accessibility.

Company & Culture Questions:

Research Epic Games' history, its major titles (especially Fortnite), and its company culture. Understand their mission and values.
Be ready to articulate why you want to work at Epic Games and specifically on the Fortnite team, highlighting your passion for their products.
Prepare to discuss your understanding of the gaming industry and current trends in UI design.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your UI art skills, process, and engine implementation experience.
Tell a Story: For each project, walk through the problem, your process, the solutions you implemented, and the outcome. Highlight your specific contributions.
Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals and clear explanations. If possible, show interactive prototypes or video clips of UI in action within an engine.
Technical Details: Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your implementation, including the tools used, any optimizations made, and challenges overcome.
Conciseness: Keep your presentation focused and concise, respecting the interviewer's time while conveying essential information.

📝 Enhancement Note: Strong preparation will involve not only showcasing artistic talent but also demonstrating a deep understanding of the game development process, technical implementation skills, and a collaborative, player-centric mindset.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Artist position:

Submit your application through the provided link on the Epic Games careers page.
Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your experience with UI art, game engines (especially Unreal Engine), and relevant design tools (Figma, Adobe Suite). Focus on projects that demonstrate your ability to create visually stunning and functional UI.
Resume Optimization: Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Instead of saying "Created UI elements," say "Designed and implemented 50+ UI screens for Feature X, resulting in a 15% improvement in player task completion." Use keywords from the job description.
Prepare Your Narrative: Practice explaining your portfolio pieces, focusing on your process, technical skills, and collaborative contributions. Be ready to discuss how your work aligns with Epic Games' standards and the Fortnite brand.
Company Research: Understand Epic Games' mission, values, and the specific context of the Fortnite team. Be prepared to articulate why you are a good cultural fit and passionate about contributing to their products.

⚠️ 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.

UI Artist