UI Artist

Aristocrat Gaming
Full-timeBarcelona, Spain

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Artist

Company: Aristocrat Gaming

Location: Product Madness - Barcelona, Spain

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Game Art & Design / UI/UX Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-22

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

  • Design and develop visually appealing user interfaces (UI) for flagship mobile gaming titles, ensuring a seamless user experience.

  • Collaborate closely with Art Leads and cross-functional teams to define and implement UI elements that align with project creative guidelines and design systems.

  • Create wireframes, mockups, and prototypes to effectively communicate design concepts and iterate on user flows.

  • Maintain high standards of quality, efficiency, and consistency across all UI assets and art deliverables.

  • Adapt design methodologies to address the unique challenges and constraints of mobile platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "UI Artist," the core responsibilities and required skills strongly indicate a focus on UI/UX operations within the game development context. This role necessitates not just artistic talent but also a systematic approach to design, workflow optimization, and cross-functional collaboration, aligning it with operational functions in a creative environment. The "Product Madness" division suggests a focus on social casino games, which often have complex UI requirements for player engagement and retention.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Design and execute UI elements, including buttons, menus, icons, and other interactive components, ensuring they are aesthetically pleasing and functional.

  • Develop detailed wireframes, mockups, and high-fidelity prototypes to visualize user flows and interaction designs.

  • Work with the Art Lead to contribute to small features or specific components of larger projects, leveraging personal strengths.

  • Ensure all UI assets are created with efficient workflows, producing clean files that facilitate fast iteration and the production of final art assets.

  • Maintain and contribute to the project's design system, ensuring consistency in visual language, typography, and interactive elements.

  • Collaborate with game designers, developers, and other artists to integrate UI elements seamlessly into the game's mechanics and overall experience.

  • Adapt UI designs to meet the technical constraints and performance requirements of various mobile platforms and devices.

  • Conduct iterative design processes, incorporating feedback from playtesting, team reviews, and cross-functional partners to enhance usability and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative execution and operational rigor. The need for "clean files that allow for fast iteration" and "maintaining quality, efficiency and consistency" points to operational best practices in asset creation and workflow management. The mention of adapting "methodologies and solutions" for mobile platforms highlights an operational approach to problem-solving within design constraints.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • No specific degree requirements are listed, indicating a focus on practical skills and portfolio demonstration. However, a background in Graphic Design, Digital Art, Game Design, or a related field is typically expected for such roles. Experience:

  • 2-5 years of professional experience as a UI Artist or in a closely related design role, ideally within the gaming industry.

  • Proven experience in designing for mobile platforms, with an understanding of their specific UI/UX challenges. Required Skills:

  • Adobe Suite Proficiency: Expert-level command of Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop and Illustrator, for asset creation and manipulation.

  • Visual Design Principles: Deep understanding of composition, color theory, proportion, and layout as they apply to user interfaces and game development.

  • Design Systems Knowledge: Familiarity with design systems and the ability to adhere to and contribute to creative guidelines.

  • Information Architecture & Interaction Design: Understanding of how to structure information logically and design intuitive user interactions.

  • Logo, Icon & Typography Skills: Ability to create and utilize effective logos, icons, and typography that enhance the user experience.

  • Wireframing & Mockups: Proficiency in creating wireframes and mockups to convey design concepts.

  • Prototyping Skills: Ability to build medium-complexity prototypes to demonstrate interactive elements and user flows.

  • English Proficiency: Professional level of English for effective communication with a global team.

  • Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate design decisions and work effectively with various stakeholders.

  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to ensuring work is completed to a high standard and aligns with desired styles.

Preferred Skills:

  • Illustration Skills: Strong artistic and illustration capabilities beyond standard UI elements.

  • Game Development Workflow: Experience with game development pipelines and asset integration.

  • Usability Principles: Awareness of usability best practices and user-centered design methodologies.

  • Mobile Game Play Mechanics: Understanding of how UI design interacts with and supports gameplay design restraints.

  • Animatics Creation: Experience in creating animatics for UI sequences.

  • Experience with specific game engines or prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Unity UI, Unreal Engine UI).

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "clean files that allow for fast iteration" and "building interfaces autonomously" suggests the need for highly organized and efficient workflow practices, which are critical operational skills for timely asset delivery in a fast-paced game development environment. The distinction between required and preferred skills highlights areas where candidates can differentiate themselves, particularly in advanced prototyping and game-specific design understanding.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Demonstrate UI Design Process: Showcase a clear progression from initial concept (e.g., wireframes, mood boards) through to final polished UI assets and interactive prototypes.

  • Mobile-Specific Examples: Include multiple examples of UI design specifically for mobile applications or games, highlighting adaptations for different screen sizes and touch interactions.

  • Design System Contribution/Adherence: Present work that either follows an existing design system or demonstrates the creation of a mini-design system for a specific feature, showcasing consistency.

  • Workflow Efficiency: Highlight projects where efficient file management and asset organization were crucial for rapid iteration and final asset delivery.

  • Impact & Results: Where possible, include information on the impact of your UI designs, such as improved engagement, usability metrics, or successful feature adoption.

Process Documentation:

  • Workflow Design and Optimization: Be prepared to discuss how you approach designing and documenting UI workflows, including steps taken to optimize for speed and asset reusability.

  • System Implementation Standards: Explain how you ensure UI elements are implemented correctly by developers, referencing any style guides or documentation you create.

  • Measurement and Performance Analysis: Be ready to discuss how UI design contributes to game performance, engagement, and how you might use data to inform design iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UI Artist role, especially in game development, the portfolio is paramount. It's not just about the final aesthetic but also the underlying process. The emphasis on "workflow crafting clean files," "fast iteration," and "adapt methodologies and solutions" means the portfolio should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate operational efficiency and problem-solving capabilities within the design process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

  • Estimated Range: €35,000 - €55,000 per year.

  • Explanation: This estimation is based on average salaries for mid-level UI Artists in Spain, particularly in major tech hubs like Barcelona, considering the company's industry (gaming/tech) and the role's specific requirements. Salaries can vary based on exact experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation. This range aligns with industry benchmarks for roles requiring 2-5 years of experience and specialized creative skills in the European market.

Benefits:

  • Career Elevation Opportunities: Structured pathways for professional growth and advancement within Aristocrat Gaming and Product Madness.

  • Inclusive Culture: A commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where employees feel valued and respected.

  • Professional Development: Access to learning resources, training programs, and opportunities to enhance skills relevant to game art and design.

  • Global Team Collaboration: The chance to work with an international team, offering diverse perspectives and cross-cultural learning experiences.

  • Contribution to Top-Grossing Titles: The opportunity to work on well-known, successful mobile games enjoyed by millions worldwide.

  • Competitive Compensation Package: Including salary, and potentially other benefits typical in the tech/gaming industry.

Working Hours:

  • Standard: Approximately 40 hours per week.

  • Flexibility: While a hybrid work arrangement is offered, specific daily hours may offer some flexibility, common in creative and tech roles, allowing for effective workflow management and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market research for UI Artists in Spain. Specific benefits are inferred from the "Why Product Madness?" section and common industry offerings for tech and gaming companies. The "People First" principle and awards for "Inspiring Workplace" suggest a strong emphasis on employee well-being and development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Gaming & Entertainment (Social Casino Genre)

  • Aristocrat Gaming, through its Product Madness division, operates in the highly competitive social casino gaming market. This industry demands continuous innovation, engaging player experiences, and a strong focus on user retention. Operations within this context mean ensuring smooth, efficient, and data-driven processes to support game development, live operations, and player engagement strategies. Company Size:

  • Aristocrat Gaming is a large, global organization. Product Madness, as a division, is also substantial, with 800 team members across various global offices and a significant remote workforce.

  • Impact on Operations: A large company size implies established processes, potential for specialized roles within operations, and access to significant resources. However, it can also mean navigating more complex organizational structures and approval workflows. For a UI Artist, it means working within a structured environment that values consistency and scalability.

Founded:

  • Aristocrat Leisure Limited was founded in 1953. Product Madness was acquired by Aristocrat in 2017, bringing its expertise in social casino gaming into the larger corporation.

  • Relevance to Operations: The long history of Aristocrat suggests a stable, experienced organization. Product Madness's acquisition brings a dynamic, digital-native approach to the established corporate structure, creating a unique blend of experience and innovation. This dynamic influences how operational processes are maintained and adapted.

Team Structure:

  • Art Team Specialization: The UI Artist will likely be part of a broader Art department, potentially with specialized sub-teams for UI/UX, 2D Art, 3D Art, Animation, etc.

  • Reporting Structure: The role reports to an Art Lead, who in turn likely reports to a Creative Director or Head of Art. Collaboration will extend to Game Designers, Product Managers, and Engineers.

  • Cross-functional Collaboration: High emphasis on working with game designers to understand mechanics, engineers for implementation, and producers/PMs for project timelines and requirements. This requires strong operational communication and coordination skills.

Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Design: Given the focus on top-grossing titles and the social casino genre, design decisions are heavily influenced by player data, A/B testing, and analytics to optimize engagement and monetization.

  • Agile Development: Game development typically follows Agile methodologies, requiring frequent iteration, collaboration, and adaptation to changing requirements. UI Artists must integrate into these sprints.

  • Design Systems & Consistency: A strong focus on maintaining visual consistency and leveraging design systems to ensure a cohesive and professional user experience across all titles.

Company Website: https://www.aristocratgaming.com/ (Aristocrat Gaming), https://www.productmadness.com/ (Product Madness)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights that this is not just a creative role but one embedded within a large, data-driven, and operationally complex gaming enterprise. Understanding how design fits into the broader GTM strategy and player lifecycle management is key.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level UI Artist

  • This role is positioned as a "UI Artist" with an explicit focus on contributing to "small features or pieces of a project." This suggests an individual contributor role that requires technical proficiency and creative execution. The experience level (2-5 years) confirms it's not an entry-level position, but also not yet senior leadership. The focus on operational aspects like workflow efficiency and collaboration positions it as a role that bridges pure art with operational execution. Reporting Structure:

  • The UI Artist reports to an Art Lead. This implies a direct line of guidance for creative output and adherence to project standards. The Art Lead likely manages the day-to-day artistic direction, while higher management (e.g., Creative Director, Head of Art) sets broader strategic goals. Operations Impact:

  • The UI Artist's work has a direct impact on player engagement, retention, and potentially monetization through the effectiveness and appeal of the game's interface. A well-designed UI can reduce player frustration, increase session times, and guide players towards desired actions (e.g., making purchases, playing more games). Efficient workflow and asset creation also impact the speed and cost of game development. Growth Opportunities:

  • Specialization: Progress into a Senior UI Artist role, taking on more complex features, leading UI initiatives for specific titles, or specializing in areas like animation or UX.

  • Leadership: Transition into an Art Lead or Team Lead position, managing a team of artists, overseeing UI/UX strategy, and mentoring junior members.

  • Cross-functional Roles: Move into related fields such as Game Design, Product Management, or UX Research, leveraging a deep understanding of player interaction and interface design.

  • Tool & Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to improve UI design tools, workflows, and the implementation of design systems across projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path from "UI Artist" to "Senior UI Artist" or "Art Lead" involves not just artistic mastery but also developing stronger operational skills: project management, team leadership, process optimization, and strategic input into the player experience.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid

  • The role is based in Product Madness's Barcelona office, with a hybrid work arrangement. This suggests a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. Office Location(s):

  • Product Madness - Barcelona, Spain. This location is a hub for gaming and tech talent in Spain, offering a vibrant professional environment. Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: The Barcelona office is designed to foster collaboration, likely featuring open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and communal spaces to encourage interaction between teams.

  • Operations Tools & Technology: Expect access to industry-standard hardware and software for design (Adobe Suite), potentially prototyping tools (Figma, Sketch), and project management/communication platforms (Jira, Slack, Teams).

  • Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to interact with fellow UI artists, graphic designers, game designers, developers, and product managers, fostering a dynamic and communicative atmosphere.

Work Schedule:

  • The standard working hours are around 40 per week, typical for full-time positions. The hybrid nature suggests flexibility in how these hours are structured, balancing in-office days with remote work, which can be beneficial for focused work and personal well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and collaborative office space are designed to optimize both focused individual work and team synergy. For an operations-minded candidate, understanding how this balance supports efficient asset creation and cross-functional alignment is key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Application Submission: Submit CV (in English) and an online portfolio.

  • Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio for relevant skills, experience, and artistic style.

  • Technical/Creative Assessment: Candidates may be asked to complete a design challenge to assess their UI design skills, problem-solving abilities, and workflow efficiency.

This could involve creating a specific UI element, a short prototype, or adapting an existing design.

  • Interviews: Multiple rounds of interviews, potentially including:

    • Hiring Manager/Art Lead Interview: To discuss experience, portfolio, and technical skills in detail.
    • Team Interview: To assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and how the candidate interacts with potential colleagues.
    • Cross-functional Interview: Potentially with a Game Designer or Producer to evaluate understanding of game mechanics and project collaboration.
  • Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate for Relevance: Showcase your strongest UI design work, with a clear emphasis on mobile games and interactive interfaces. Prioritize quality over quantity.

  • Detail Your Process: For each project, explain your role, the problem you were solving, your design process (research, wireframing, prototyping, iteration), and the tools used. Highlight your contribution to workflow efficiency.

  • Demonstrate Mobile Expertise: Clearly show how you've addressed the specific challenges of mobile UI design (e.g., touch targets, screen sizes, performance).

  • Highlight Collaboration: If possible, include examples or descriptions of how you've collaborated with developers, designers, or other stakeholders.

  • Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Include clear calls to action and contact information.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Game Context: If a design challenge is given, research Aristocrat Gaming and Product Madness's existing titles to understand their visual style and player base.

  • Focus on Efficiency and Clarity: For any practical test, prioritize creating a clear, functional design that demonstrates an efficient workflow. Show that you can produce clean, well-organized files.

  • Articulate Your Decisions: Be prepared to verbally explain the rationale behind your design choices, referencing visual design principles, usability, and mobile platform considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a creative role like this often includes a practical assessment. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their artistic talent but also their understanding of efficient design operations, workflow optimization, and cross-functional communication skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for creating and editing visual assets.

    • Photoshop: For raster image editing, textures, and mockups.
    • Illustrator: For vector graphics, icons, logos, and scalable UI elements.
  • Prototyping Tools:

    • Figma/Sketch/Adobe XD: Widely used for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and collaborative design processes. Proficiency in at least one is highly beneficial.
  • Project Management & Communication:

    • Jira: For task tracking, bug reporting, and sprint management in Agile development.
    • Confluence: For documentation, knowledge sharing, and design specifications.
    • Slack/Microsoft Teams: For real-time communication and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting (Indirect Usage):

  • While not directly operating these tools, understanding the output from analytics platforms is crucial for informing UI design decisions. This includes:
    • Game Analytics Platforms: Tools that track player behavior, engagement metrics, and conversion rates.
    • A/B Testing Tools: Used to test different UI variations and measure their impact.

CRM & Automation (Not typically used by UI Artists):

  • These are generally outside the direct scope of a UI Artist's responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design software like Adobe Suite and leading prototyping tools (Figma/Sketch/XD) is critical. The ability to work with Agile project management tools (Jira) and communication platforms is also a key operational requirement for seamless team integration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Player-Centricity: A core value in game development is focusing on the player experience. UI designs must be intuitive, engaging, and enhance the overall enjoyment of the game.

  • Data-Driven Decision Making: While artistic vision is key, design choices are often validated and refined through player data and A/B testing, emphasizing an analytical approach to creativity.

  • Collaboration & Teamwork: The success of a game relies on seamless integration between art, design, engineering, and product teams. A collaborative spirit is paramount.

  • Efficiency & Iteration: The fast-paced nature of game development necessitates efficient workflows, rapid iteration, and the ability to adapt quickly to feedback and changing requirements.

  • Quality & Craftsmanship: A commitment to producing high-quality, polished assets that contribute to the overall professional standard of the game.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: UI Artists are expected to work closely with Game Designers to understand mechanics and player journeys, and with Engineers to ensure feasible and performant implementation.

  • Constructive Feedback Culture: Openness to giving and receiving constructive criticism is essential for continuous improvement of designs and workflows.

  • Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, new techniques, and insights within the art team and across departments to foster collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style emphasize that this role requires more than just artistic output. It demands a proactive, team-oriented approach focused on delivering successful player experiences through efficient, collaborative, and data-informed design operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality: The primary challenge is creating visually stunning interfaces that are also highly functional, intuitive, and performant on mobile devices with varying screen sizes and performance capabilities.

  • Adapting to Design Constraints: Working within the technical limitations of mobile platforms and the specific gameplay mechanics of social casino games requires creative problem-solving to ensure designs are both effective and feasible.

  • Iterative Design Cycles: Game development is iterative. UI Artists must be comfortable with frequent feedback, revisions, and the potential for designs to change significantly throughout the development process.

  • Maintaining Consistency Across Titles: With a portfolio of successful games, ensuring a consistent visual language and user experience across multiple titles can be operationally demanding.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced UI/UX Techniques: Opportunities to learn and apply cutting-edge UI/UX design patterns, interaction design principles, and animation techniques relevant to mobile gaming.

  • Industry Conferences & Workshops: Potential to attend industry events (e.g., GDC, industry-specific art conferences) to stay abreast of trends and network.

  • Mentorship & Skill Development: Access to senior artists and leads for mentorship, as well as internal training programs focused on specific tools, software, or design methodologies.

  • Exposure to Different Game Genres/Features: Working on various flagship titles within Product Madness can expose the artist to different gameplay loops and player engagement strategies, broadening their expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for strong operational problem-solving skills. Overcoming these requires not just artistic talent but also strategic thinking, process adaptation, and a commitment to continuous learning, all critical for growth in the operations aspect of game art.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • UI Strategy for Player Engagement: "How would you design a UI element or flow to increase player retention or encourage specific in-game actions in a social casino game?" (Prepare with examples of successful UI strategies in similar games, focusing on psychological triggers, clear calls-to-action, and intuitive navigation.)

  • Design System Implementation: "Describe your experience with design systems. How would you ensure consistency across multiple UI elements and features within a single game or across different titles?" (Prepare to discuss your understanding of design system components, documentation, and collaboration with developers for implementation.)

  • Mobile UI Optimization: "What are the key challenges in designing for mobile platforms, and how do you ensure your UI designs are optimized for performance, usability, and various screen sizes?" (Prepare to discuss responsive design, touch target sizes, performance considerations, and platform-specific guidelines.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • Passion for Games: "Why are you interested in working for Product Madness/Aristocrat Gaming, and what makes a game visually appealing to you?" (Research their games, company values, and be prepared to articulate your genuine interest and passion for mobile gaming.)

  • Team Collaboration: "Describe a time you had to collaborate with a developer or game designer who had a different vision for a UI element. How did you resolve the conflict and reach a solution?" (Prepare examples that demonstrate your communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills in a team context.)

  • Handling Feedback: "How do you typically handle constructive criticism on your designs?" (Showcase an open, adaptable attitude towards feedback and a focus on using it to improve the final product.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Storytelling: For each project in your portfolio, tell a concise

Application Requirements

Candidates must have strong artistic skills, proficiency in Adobe Suite, and a deep understanding of mobile platform challenges. A professional portfolio and a passion for mobile gaming are required.