UI Artist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Artist
Company: Gameloft
Location: Paris, Île-de-France, France
Job Type: Contract
Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Technology / Software Date Posted: 2025-09-29
Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design, production, and implementation of engaging user interfaces (UI) for mobile and PC/Console games.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including game designers, artists, and programmers, to translate concepts into intuitive and visually compelling player experiences.
• Integrate UI assets directly into Unreal Engine, utilizing UMG and Blueprints to bring designs to life.
• Optimize UI for performance on mobile devices while adhering to accessibility standards and maintaining artistic consistency.
• Drive innovation by researching and proposing new UI/UX approaches and anticipating market trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a UI Artist within the video game industry, with a strong emphasis on mobile platforms and Unreal Engine integration. The "Contract" employment type suggests a project-based or fixed-term engagement, which may appeal to professionals seeking specific project experience or flexible work arrangements within a structured studio environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• UI Design & Production: Develop and create a wide range of UI elements, including menus, Heads-Up Displays (HUDs), in-game interfaces, and various visual assets specifically designed for mobile screen real estate and interaction patterns.
• Unreal Engine Integration: Implement, test, and optimize UI assets within the Unreal Engine environment, leveraging UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics) for visual design and Blueprints for interactive functionality.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Work in close partnership with Game Designers and UX Designers to refine wireframes and prototypes, translating abstract concepts into polished, interactive visual interfaces that enhance player engagement and usability.
• Performance Optimization & Consistency: Ensure all UI elements perform optimally on a variety of mobile devices, considering processing power and memory constraints. Maintain strict adherence to accessibility standards and uphold the project's overall art direction and visual identity.
• Trend Research & Innovation: Proactively research emerging UI/UX trends within the mobile gaming market and broader digital design landscape. Contribute creative proposals and innovative solutions to enhance the player journey and the studio's creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of artistic creativity and technical implementation within a game development context. The mention of "UMG, Blueprints" and "Unreal Engine" highlights the critical need for hands-on experience with this specific game engine and its UI capabilities. "Accessibility standards" and "mobile constraints" point to the need for practical, platform-aware design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and artistic/technical proficiency is paramount. Relevant fields of study could include Graphic Design, Digital Art, Interactive Media, or Game Design.
Experience: A minimum of 2-5 years of proven experience as a UI Artist within the video game industry is required. Prior experience specifically on mobile game titles is highly preferred.

Required Skills:

• UI Design Expertise: Demonstrated ability to design intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, including menus, HUDs, icons, and other in-game visual elements.
• Graphic Design Fundamentals: Strong understanding of typography, color theory, layout principles, and visual hierarchy as applied to user interfaces.
• Unreal Engine Proficiency: Hands-on experience with Unreal Engine, specifically with its UI implementation tools such as UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics) and basic Blueprint scripting for UI interactivity.
• Industry Standard Tools: Proficient in industry-standard design software including Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Experience with Figma or similar vector-based UI design tools is also essential.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent teamwork skills, with the ability to effectively communicate ideas and feedback within a multidisciplinary team.
• Autonomy & Problem-Solving: Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and solve design and technical challenges with a rigorous and detail-oriented approach.

Preferred Skills:

• Motion Design: Experience in creating UI animations and dynamic visual feedback using tools like Adobe After Effects.
• UX Design Principles: Familiarity with User Experience (UX) design principles and user-centered design methodologies.
• Mobile Optimization Techniques: Deeper understanding of mobile platform-specific optimization strategies beyond basic asset implementation.
• Art Direction Alignment: Ability to quickly grasp and maintain a consistent art direction across all UI elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a proven portfolio is a critical indicator for creative roles. The "2-5 years" experience level suggests this is not an entry-level position but offers significant creative input and technical responsibility. The "preferred skills" offer clear pathways for candidates to differentiate themselves.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• UI Design Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies of UI projects, ideally from mobile games. Each case study should illustrate the design process from conception to final implementation, highlighting problem-solving and creative decision-making.
• Asset Showcase: Include a collection of high-quality UI assets (menus, HUDs, icons, buttons) demonstrating artistic skill, attention to detail, and understanding of mobile interface best practices.
• Unreal Engine Integration Examples: If possible, provide visual examples (screenshots, short videos) of UI elements implemented within Unreal Engine, demonstrating proficiency with UMG and Blueprint integration.
• Motion Design Samples: If motion design skills are highlighted, include a few examples of animated UI elements or transitions that showcase dynamic visual feedback and polish.

Process Documentation:

• Wireframing & Prototyping: Demonstrate an understanding of how wireframes and prototypes are used as a foundation for UI design and how they are translated into final graphical assets.
• Asset Creation Workflow: Outline your typical workflow for creating UI assets, from initial concept sketches and mood boards to final polished assets ready for engine integration.
• Optimization & Feedback Loops: Explain how you approach UI optimization for mobile performance and how you incorporate feedback from designers, programmers, and playtesters into your iterative design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UI Artist role, the portfolio is paramount. The requirements emphasize not just the final output but also the process and problem-solving involved. Demonstrating direct experience with Unreal Engine's UI tools (UMG, Blueprints) in the portfolio will be a significant advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a mid-level UI Artist in Paris, France, with 2-5 years of experience and contract employment, a typical gross annual salary range would be between €35,000 and €50,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Paris and the specialized nature of game development roles.

Benefits:

• Fun and Flexible Work Atmosphere: A dynamic and engaging work environment within a leading mobile game studio.
• Clear Creative Direction and Collaborative Feedback: Opportunities to work on defined projects with clear artistic visions, supported by constructive feedback from experienced professionals.
• Fair Compensation: Competitive remuneration commensurate with experience and contract duration.
• Respectful Professional Work Relationship: A supportive and professional environment that values individual contributions and teamwork.
• Potential for Project Extension/Future Opportunities: Contract roles can sometimes lead to extensions or further opportunities within Gameloft.

Working Hours: The role is expected to be a full-time position, typically around 40 hours per week, aligning with standard industry practices for game development studios. Flexibility may be available, but on-site presence is required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation for a contract role in Paris for a mid-level UI Artist. Actual compensation will depend on the specific contract duration, Gameloft's internal pay scales, and the candidate's precise experience and negotiation. The benefits listed are directly from the provided job description, tailored to highlight aspects relevant to creative professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development, specifically focused on mobile and PC/Console gaming. Gameloft is a well-established player in the global mobile gaming market. Company Size: Gameloft Paris Studio is described as a "human-sized studio" with approximately 45 talented professionals. This implies a close-knit team environment where individual contributions are highly visible and collaboration is essential. Founded: Gameloft was founded in 2000, bringing extensive experience and a strong market presence in the gaming industry. The Paris studio, while smaller, benefits from this established legacy and expertise.

Team Structure:

• UI/Art Team: Likely consists of UI Artists, 2D Artists, 3D Artists, Animators, and potentially Technical Artists, working collaboratively on visual elements.
• Reporting: The UI Artist will likely report to a Lead Artist, Art Director, or potentially a UI/UX Lead, depending on the studio's specific organizational structure.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close interaction with Game Designers for feature implementation, UX Designers for user flow, and Programmers for technical integration and optimization.

Methodology:

• Agile Development: Game development studios commonly employ agile methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Kanban) for iterative development, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback loops.
• Design-Driven Iteration: Emphasis on transforming initial concepts and wireframes into polished visuals through iterative design cycles.
• Performance-Focused Implementation: A strong focus on ensuring that creative designs are technically feasible and performant on target platforms, particularly mobile.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the Paris studio as "human-sized" is a key cultural indicator, suggesting a more intimate and collaborative atmosphere than a massive corporate structure. This is often appealing to creative professionals who value direct impact and close working relationships.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UI Artist, typically requiring 2-5 years of professional experience. It implies a level of autonomy in executing tasks, contributing creative ideas, and solving problems independently, while still benefiting from guidance from senior artists or leads. Reporting Structure: The UI Artist will likely report to a Lead UI Artist, Art Director, or a Production Manager. They will work closely with Game Designers and Programmers, forming a core part of the game development team. Operations Impact: The UI Artist's work directly impacts the player's experience, influencing usability, engagement, and the overall aesthetic appeal of the game. High-quality UI is critical for player retention and satisfaction in the competitive mobile gaming market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific areas like motion graphics for UI, advanced Unreal Engine UI techniques, or UX principles for games.
• Senior UI Artist: Progress to a Senior UI Artist role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior artists, and having a greater influence on UI direction.
• Lead Artist/Art Director: With significant experience and leadership potential, opportunities may arise to move into Lead Artist or Art Director positions, overseeing entire art teams and defining visual strategies.
• Cross-Disciplinary Moves: Potential to transition into related fields like UX Design or Technical Art, leveraging existing skills and game development knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a creative role, the "Operations" context here relates to the operational aspects of game development and the career path within a studio. The growth analysis focuses on typical progression within the game art discipline.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is specified as "On-site," indicating a traditional studio environment where team members work together in a physical office space. Office Location(s): Paris, France. This offers a vibrant urban setting with access to cultural amenities and a thriving creative industry. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Studio: The "human-sized" studio environment encourages frequent face-to-face interaction, brainstorming sessions, and spontaneous knowledge sharing among team members.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard hardware and software, including powerful workstations equipped with Unreal Engine, Adobe Creative Suite, and potentially specialized UI/UX tools.
• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to collaborate with designers, programmers, and other artists, fostering a dynamic and interactive workday.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical for this contract role, with potential for some flexibility, though on-site presence is a requirement. This schedule allows for focused work on design tasks and integration within the engine.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key differentiator. For candidates in or willing to relocate to Paris, it offers the benefits of a structured team environment and direct collaboration, which can be highly productive for creative and technical roles like UI Art.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess core qualifications and artistic/technical fit.
• Technical/Art Test: Candidates may be asked to complete a practical test, potentially involving UI design challenges or Unreal Engine integration tasks, to evaluate their skills in real-time.
• Portfolio Presentation & Interview: A more in-depth discussion where candidates present their portfolio, discuss their design process, problem-solving approaches, and technical capabilities. This stage will also assess cultural fit and collaboration potential.
• Team/Manager Interview: Final interviews with the hiring manager and potentially key team members to gauge overall suitability and alignment with the studio's culture and project needs.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase only your strongest and most relevant work. For this role, prioritize mobile UI projects and examples of Unreal Engine integration.
• Highlight Process: For each project, explain your thought process, the challenges you faced, and how you arrived at your solutions. Use wireframes, sketches, and iterations to illustrate this.
• Demonstrate Technical Skill: Clearly show your proficiency with tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, and especially your experience with Unreal Engine's UMG and Blueprints. Videos of interactive UI are highly effective.
• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have data on how your UI improved player engagement, retention, or usability, include it. Even qualitative feedback from playtests can be valuable.
• Tailor to Gameloft: Research Gameloft's games and art styles to understand their aesthetic. If possible, include a piece or adapt an existing one that shows you can align with their visual language.

Challenge Preparation:

• UI Design Fundamentals: Be ready to discuss UI principles, color theory, typography, and layout.
• Unreal Engine UI: Refresh your knowledge of UMG, widget blueprints, and common UI implementation patterns in Unreal Engine.
• Mobile Constraints: Be prepared to discuss how you adapt designs for different screen sizes, resolutions, and touch interactions.
• Collaboration Scenarios: Think about how you would collaborate with game designers and programmers to ensure your UI is functional and fits the game's vision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a practical test or art challenge is common for creative roles. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills live or through a submitted task, rather than relying solely on past work.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Photoshop: Essential for creating raster-based UI assets, textures, and mockups.
• Adobe Illustrator: Crucial for creating scalable vector graphics, icons, and logos for UI elements.
• Figma (or similar, e.g., Sketch, Adobe XD): Widely used for UI wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows, often serving as a bridge between design and development.
• Unreal Engine (UMG & Blueprints): The core engine for game development. Proficiency in its UI system (UMG) for visual layout and Blueprint scripting for interactive elements is a key requirement.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly the UI Artist's domain, an understanding of how UI performance is tracked and optimized through analytics tools (e.g., in-game analytics platforms) is beneficial for understanding design impact. CRM & Automation: Not directly relevant to this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Unreal Engine, UMG, and Blueprints is critical. Candidates must have hands-on experience with these specific tools to be competitive. Figma is also highlighted as a key design tool.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Gameloft Paris values fresh ideas and innovative approaches to game design and user interface creation.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting team members to achieve common goals.
• Quality & Player Focus: Dedication to producing high-quality games that deliver exceptional player experiences and satisfaction.
• Rigor & Professionalism: A commitment to technical excellence, attention to detail, and maintaining professional standards in all aspects of work.

Collaboration Style:

• Iterative & Feedback-Driven: The studio likely fosters an environment where designs are shared early and often, with constructive feedback incorporated throughout the development process.
• Cross-Functional Synergy: Encourages close working relationships between UI artists, game designers, and programmers to ensure seamless integration of UI into the game mechanics and overall vision.
• Open Communication: A culture that promotes open dialogue, where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, raising concerns, and contributing to problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "human-sized studio" context strongly suggests a culture that prioritizes direct collaboration and a shared sense of ownership over the game's development.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics and Performance: Creating visually stunning UI that also runs smoothly on a wide range of mobile hardware requires careful optimization and technical understanding.
• Adapting to Diverse Project Needs: Working on different game genres and art styles necessitates flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt design approaches.
• Integrating Complex Features: Implementing intricate UI functionalities and dynamic elements within the constraints of game engines and development timelines.
• Staying Ahead of Trends: Continuously learning and adapting to evolving UI/UX trends and technologies in the fast-paced mobile gaming industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering Unreal Engine UI: Deepening expertise in UMG, Blueprint scripting, and advanced UI techniques within Unreal Engine.
• Motion Design & Animation: Developing skills in creating dynamic and engaging UI animations to enhance player feedback and visual appeal.
• UX Design Principles: Gaining a stronger understanding of user experience design to create more intuitive and effective interfaces.
• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Potential opportunities to attend industry events to learn about new tools, techniques, and trends in game art and UI/UX.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dual nature of the role: artistic creativity combined with technical execution and optimization. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening specialized skills within game art and UI/UX.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a challenging UI project you worked on and how you overcame the obstacles, particularly regarding mobile platform constraints or performance optimization." (Focus on problem-solving, technical rigor, and optimization strategies).
• "Walk me through your process for designing a new menu system, from wireframe to final implementation in Unreal Engine. How do you incorporate feedback from designers and programmers?" (Emphasize collaboration, workflow, and iterative design).
• "How do you ensure your UI designs are accessible and user-friendly for a diverse range of players on mobile devices?" (Highlight attention to detail, user-centric design, and accessibility standards).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Gameloft, and specifically our Paris studio?" (Research Gameloft's games, values, and studio size to align your answer).
• "How do you approach collaboration within a game development team, especially when working with game designers and programmers?" (Discuss your teamwork style, communication methods, and experience with cross-functional teams).
• "What are your favorite examples of innovative UI in mobile games today, and why?" (Showcase your awareness of industry trends and your analytical skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the problem, your solution, the tools used, the challenges, and the outcome.
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Use high-resolution images and clear descriptions.
• Technical Demonstration: Be ready to explain your Unreal Engine implementation. If possible, have a brief, interactive demo ready for key pieces.
• Focus on Relevance: Highlight projects that best demonstrate your skills in mobile UI design and Unreal Engine integration, as these are core requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating both artistic talent and technical competence within the specific context of game development and mobile platforms using Unreal Engine.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Artist position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your best work in mobile UI design and Unreal Engine integration. Tailor your presentation to highlight projects and skills most relevant to Gameloft's games.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize your experience with UI design, graphic design tools (Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma), Unreal Engine (UMG, Blueprints), and any relevant mobile game development projects. Use keywords from the job description.
• Prepare for Technical Assessment: Be ready for a potential art test or technical challenge that evaluates your UI design skills and Unreal Engine proficiency. Practice creating UI elements and implementing them in a game engine environment.
• Research Gameloft: Familiarize yourself with Gameloft's game portfolio, their art styles, and their standing in the industry. Understanding their products will help you tailor your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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.

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