UI Artist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Artist

Company: Electronic Arts

Location: Shanghai, Shanghai, China

Job Type: Regular Employee

Category: Game Art & Design (UI/UX Focus)

Date Posted: October 1, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and conceptualize user interface (UI) elements and visual styles for mobile games, specifically within the FC Mobile franchise.

• Develop high-fidelity UI mockups and production-ready visual assets using industry-standard design tools like Figma.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including game designers, artists, and engineers, to ensure UI designs are visually appealing, user-friendly, and technically feasible.

• Contribute to the overall art direction and brand consistency of the game by exploring and implementing fresh visual styles and maintaining a comprehensive UI Design Kit.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is for a UI Artist, the emphasis on "visual judgment," "graphic and UI design tools," and "mobile game UI frameworks and interaction design" positions this as a hybrid role requiring strong visual design skills with a foundational understanding of UX principles and technical implementation constraints in a mobile gaming context. The target audience for this enhanced description will be operations professionals who may be transitioning into or working alongside creative/design teams, or those who appreciate the operational aspects of creative production pipelines.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and explore visual themes, brand identity, and overall game art direction for the user interface.

• Design polished UI mockups in Figma, ensuring alignment with the game's established art direction and brand key visuals.

• Create and refine production-ready visual assets, including UI graphics, icons, patterns, textures, and decorative elements for in-game implementation.

• Maintain and update a structured UI Design Kit to ensure consistency and facilitate efficient asset handoff to the art team.

• Develop interactive prototypes in Figma to clearly communicate UI flows, states, and interaction behaviors to stakeholders.

• Collaborate effectively with international and cross-functional teams to define workloads, balance visual quality with scope, and adhere to delivery timelines.

• Stay abreast of current visual design trends and emerging game UI/UX patterns to bring innovative and relevant styles to the FC Mobile game.

• Demonstrate strong self-motivation, proactive teamwork, and a commitment to achieving excellent design quality in all deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative exploration and production execution, emphasizing the need for efficient workflow management and cross-team coordination, which are core to operations roles. The mention of "balancing visual quality, scope, and delivery timelines" is a direct nod to project management and operational efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: No specific degree mentioned, but a strong portfolio demonstrating relevant skills is implicitly required.

Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of experience in game UI, visual design, or a related game art discipline.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional art and graphic design skills, with a strong understanding of typography, color theory, layout, composition, and icon design.

• Proven ability to translate brand identity and game visual styles into cohesive, high-quality UI designs.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma for UI design and prototyping.

• Expertise in vector and raster graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite - Photoshop, Illustrator) for asset creation.

• Solid understanding of mobile game UI frameworks and interaction design principles to ensure usability and feasibility.

• Knowledge of mobile UI production processes, including components, resolution scaling, asset formats, performance optimization, memory management, and platform constraints.

• Ability to stay current with visual design and game UI trends and proactively explore new visual styles.

• Passion for football and football video games, with a keen eye for football-related visuals; personal projects in this area are a significant plus.

• Strong communication, collaboration, ownership, and a steadfast commitment to design quality. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with game engines and their integrated UI editors.

• Familiarity with UX research methodologies and user-centered design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement is clearly stated as 3+ years. The skills list is comprehensive and directly extracted from the job description, with emphasis on tools and technical understanding crucial for a UI Artist role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3 years of relevant game UI and visual design work.

• Demonstrations of UI mockups created in Figma, illustrating a strong grasp of visual hierarchy, layout, and aesthetic appeal.

• Examples of production-ready UI assets, including icons, graphics, and decorative elements, highlighting attention to detail and technical readiness.

• Case studies or project examples that illustrate the process of exploring visual concepts and translating brand identity into cohesive UI designs.

• Prototypes created in Figma that effectively communicate UI flows, states, and interaction behaviors.

• Evidence of understanding mobile UI production constraints and considerations. Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as a requirement, candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, including:

  • Workflow for exploring visual concepts and developing UI designs.

  • Methods for asset creation and refinement for game implementation.

  • Strategies for maintaining and organizing a UI Design Kit.

  • Approach to prototyping and communicating UI interactions.

  • Collaboration processes with cross-functional teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: For creative roles, a portfolio is the primary "process and systems" demonstration. The emphasis here is on what the portfolio should contain to showcase the candidate's workflow and output relevant to the job's responsibilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the mid-level experience requirement (3+ years), the hybrid work model, and the location in Shanghai, China, a competitive salary range for a UI Artist would typically fall between ¥20,000 - ¥35,000 per month. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for experienced creative professionals in major tech hubs in China, considering the specialization in game UI and the company's standing as a global publisher.

Benefits:

• Healthcare coverage

• Mental well-being support

• Retirement savings plans

• Paid time off (PTO)

• Family leaves

• Complimentary games

• 📝 Enhancement Note: Benefits are explicitly listed in the company description, tailored for employee wellness and work-life balance.

Working Hours:

• Approximately 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work model.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: The "Regular Employee" status and "Hybrid" work model suggest a standard professional work schedule, which is often around 40 hours per week in China, with flexibility for in-office and remote days.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on location (Shanghai, China), experience level (3+ years), and industry (Gaming/Tech). The provided range is a benchmark for mid-level positions in this region and field.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development and Publishing. Electronic Arts (EA) is a leading global player in the interactive entertainment industry, known for major franchises across sports, action, and simulation genres.

Company Size: Large enterprise (over 10,000 employees globally). This scale implies robust processes, a structured environment, and opportunities for significant impact within a large organization.

Founded: 1982. EA has a long-standing history and a mature organizational structure, suggesting established development pipelines and a strong understanding of game production.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the EA Studios - SPORTS division, specifically focusing on the FC Mobile game. This indicates a specialized team dedicated to a particular sports franchise.

• The team likely comprises various disciplines: game designers, other artists (2D, 3D, animators), engineers, producers, and QA testers.

• Collaboration is emphasized with "cross-functional and regional teams," suggesting interaction with diverse groups across different locations and specializations. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated for UI artists, EA's broader operational strategy likely involves data analysis to inform design decisions, A/B testing of UI elements, and performance monitoring.

• Agile/Iterative Development: Game development often follows agile methodologies, requiring iterative design, feedback loops, and continuous improvement.

• Global Collaboration: Working with regional teams implies a need for clear communication protocols, standardized asset pipelines, and cultural sensitivity in design.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context is derived from the provided description and general knowledge of Electronic Arts as a major game publisher. The "SPORTS" division and "FC Mobile" product provide specific context for the team's focus.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This UI Artist role is positioned as a mid-level contributor, requiring significant experience and the ability to work independently while collaborating with teams. It's a specialized role within the broader game art discipline, focusing on the critical area of user interface design.

Reporting Structure: The role is part of the "EA Studios - SPORTS" department. While a direct manager isn't specified, the UI Artist would likely report to a Lead UI Artist, Art Director, or a Production Manager within the FC Mobile development team. Collaboration with other disciplines is a key aspect.

Operations Impact:

• The UI Artist's work directly influences player engagement, usability, and the overall aesthetic appeal of FC Mobile.

• Effective UI design contributes to player retention by making the game intuitive and enjoyable to navigate.

• High-quality visual assets and a cohesive UI design system streamline the development process, reducing iteration time and improving production efficiency. Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in mobile game UI design, interaction design, or visual branding.

• Leadership Potential: Progress to a Senior UI Artist role, Lead UI Artist, or Art Director position, overseeing UI projects and mentoring junior artists.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to game design, UX research, and engineering processes through collaboration.

• Project Variety: Opportunity to work on different titles or features within the EA SPORTS portfolio.

• Mentorship: Potential to receive guidance from experienced art leads and contribute to the development of junior talent.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth opportunities are inferred based on typical career paths within large game development studios for specialized creative roles. The "operations impact" section frames the creative role through an operational lens of efficiency and contribution to business goals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This indicates a mix of in-office and remote work, allowing for flexibility while maintaining in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): Shanghai, China. This specific location suggests a dynamic, international work environment within a major global city known for its technology and creative industries.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with diverse, cross-functional, and regional teams, suggesting an environment that fosters teamwork and open communication.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially game engine environments.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with other artists, designers, and developers, facilitating knowledge sharing and creative synergy.

Work Schedule:

• A standard professional work week (likely 40 hours) with hybrid flexibility. This schedule accommodates focused design work, prototyping, and collaborative sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid" work model and specific location are key environmental factors. The context emphasizes collaboration and the tools necessary for the role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session where candidates present their work, discuss their design process, and answer questions about their approach to UI/visual design for mobile games.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: Potentially a practical design exercise or a small case study to evaluate problem-solving skills, design thinking, and proficiency with design tools under timed conditions.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: Behavioral and situational questions to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, communication skills, and understanding of game development pipelines.

• Final Round: May involve discussions with senior leadership or cross-functional team members.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your UI/visual design skills for mobile games. Prioritize work that demonstrates your ability to align with brand identity and create engaging user experiences.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate your role, the problem you were solving, your design process (from concept to final assets), and the outcomes. Use visuals to illustrate key stages.

• Highlight Figma & Asset Creation: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your proficiency in Figma for mockups and prototyping, as well as your skills in creating production-ready assets using vector and raster tools.

• Explain Technical Considerations: Be prepared to discuss how your designs account for mobile UI frameworks, interaction design, performance, and platform constraints.

• Tailor to FC Mobile: If possible, include projects that show an understanding of sports branding or mobile gaming aesthetics, demonstrating your passion for the genre.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: If a design challenge is given, focus on understanding the core problem, exploring multiple solutions quickly, and presenting your rationale clearly. Prioritize visual appeal and functional clarity within the given constraints.

• Prototyping Skills: Be ready to demonstrate quick prototyping in Figma to show UI flows and interactions.

• Communication: Practice articulating your design decisions, explaining trade-offs, and responding to feedback constructively.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides tactical advice for candidates applying to creative roles, focusing on the critical portfolio and interview stages, tailored to the specific requirements of a UI Artist.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, mockups, and interactive prototyping. Candidates must be highly proficient.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: For raster image editing, texture creation, and asset refinement.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, icon design, and scalable asset creation.

• Other Vector/Raster Tools: Proficiency in similar professional design software is expected.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Not directly applicable to this role's core function, but understanding how UI performance metrics (e.g., engagement, retention, conversion rates) are tracked can be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the UI Artist role itself. Game Development Specific:

• Game Engines: Experience with game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) and their UI editors is preferred, indicating an understanding of how UI is implemented in a game development environment.

• UI Frameworks: Familiarity with common mobile game UI frameworks and their technical underpinnings.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section focuses on the software and tools explicitly mentioned or implied by the role's responsibilities and requirements.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Design Excellence: A strong emphasis on producing high-quality, visually appealing, and user-friendly UI designs.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with diverse, cross-functional, and international teams to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Curiosity: Staying current with trends and exploring new visual styles to keep the game fresh and engaging.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for design deliverables, meeting deadlines, and contributing proactively to project success.

• Passion for Games: A genuine interest in football and video games, driving motivation and creative output.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with designers, artists, engineers, and producers to ensure UI designs are technically feasible and meet game objectives.

• Iterative Feedback: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from team members and stakeholders to refine designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a collaborative environment by sharing insights, best practices, and maintaining the UI Design Kit for team use.

📝 Enhancement Note: Values and collaboration styles are inferred from the "Responsibilities" and "Requirements" sections, focusing on aspects like teamwork, innovation, and quality, which are common in creative and tech environments.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Artistic Vision with Technical Constraints: Ensuring UI designs are visually stunning while remaining feasible for implementation on mobile platforms within performance budgets.

• Global Collaboration & Communication: Effectively collaborating with teams across different time zones and cultures, ensuring clear communication of design intent.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Continuously adapting to evolving visual design and mobile UI/UX trends in a fast-paced industry.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring all UI elements adhere to the established FC Mobile brand identity and art direction across various screens and features.

• Workload Management: Balancing multiple design tasks, asset creation, and prototyping alongside project timelines and scope.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UI/UX Training: Opportunities to deepen knowledge in interaction design, user research, and advanced prototyping techniques.

• Game Engine Integration: Learning how UI is implemented within specific game engines and UI editors.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gaining insights into game design, level design, and other art disciplines.

• Mentorship: Learning from senior artists and art directors within EA's established structure.

• Industry Conferences/Workshops: Potential for attending relevant events to stay updated on design trends and network.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed around the core demands of the role and industry, while growth opportunities are aligned with career progression and skill enhancement within a large organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for translating a game's brand identity into a cohesive UI design system." (Focus on exploration, concept development, and asset creation.)

• "How do you approach balancing visual aesthetics with usability and technical feasibility in mobile game UI design?" (Highlight your understanding of mobile constraints and UX principles.)

• "Walk us through a challenging UI project from your portfolio. What were the key decisions you made, and what was the outcome?" (Prepare a detailed case study showcasing your problem-solving skills and design process.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UI/UX trends in mobile gaming, and how have you incorporated them into your work?" (Demonstrate your proactive learning and innovative thinking.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working on FC Mobile specifically?" (Showcase your passion for football games and EA's sports titles.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with cross-functional teams, especially those in different regions?" (Emphasize communication, empathy, and teamwork.)

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a design decision. How did you present your case?" (Focus on communication, rationale, and data-driven arguments if applicable.)

• "What are your thoughts on EA's visual style and how would you contribute to it?" (Research EA's current games and brand guidelines.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin with your strongest, most relevant project that best showcases your UI/visual design skills for mobile games.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the challenge, your role, your process (ideation, wireframing, mockups, prototyping, asset creation), the tools used, and the results or impact.

• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals (mockups, prototypes, asset examples) and keep text concise. Ensure your Figma prototypes are functional and easy to navigate.

• Highlight Technical Understanding: Be prepared to discuss how your designs address mobile UI considerations like resolution, performance, and interaction patterns.

• Engage Your Audience: Make it interactive. Be ready for questions and encourage discussion about your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: These questions and strategies are designed to help candidates prepare for the specific demands of a UI Artist role within a large gaming company, focusing on portfolio presentation and creative problem-solving.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Artist position:

• Submit your application through the Electronic Arts careers portal at https://jobs.ea.com/en_US/careers/JobDetail/UI-Artist/215285.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 3+ years of experience in game UI/visual design, emphasizing proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience with game engines or mobile UI frameworks. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio prominently features your best UI/visual design work for mobile games. Include Figma mockups, prototypes, and production-ready assets, along with descriptions of your design process.

• Prepare Your Case Studies: Be ready to present 2-3 key projects in detail during interviews, explaining your role, process, and the rationale behind your design decisions.

• Research EA & FC Mobile: Familiarize yourself with EA's company culture, their sports game portfolio, and specifically the FC Mobile game's current UI and art style.

⚠️ 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.