UI Artist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Artist

Company: Komodo Co., Ltd.

Location: Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Game Development - Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-04-14

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop visually engaging User Interface (UI) assets, including Heads-Up Displays (HUDs), menus, and icons, for a new competitive PvP action game.

• Establish and maintain robust UI visual standards, encompassing typography, color systems, and iconography, to ensure a cohesive and appealing player experience.

• Collaborate closely with game designers, engineers, and other artists to integrate UI elements seamlessly with gameplay mechanics and the overall artistic direction.

• Iterate on UI designs based on rigorous playtesting, team feedback, and evolving creative direction to optimize player engagement and usability.

• Contribute to the foundational development of the game by defining and implementing UI standards, workflows, and asset pipelines for early production.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a UI Artist focused on game development, with a strong emphasis on creating assets for a competitive PVP action game. The "mid-level" designation is inferred from the typical experience requirements for defining UI standards and workflows from an early stage in development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and create high-quality UI assets for HUDs, in-game menus, icons, and other interactive systems, ensuring visual appeal and functional clarity.

• Develop and document comprehensive UI style guides, including typography, color palettes, and icon libraries, to ensure consistency across the game.

• Work hand-in-hand with game designers to translate gameplay mechanics and player progression into intuitive and engaging UI flows.

• Partner with engineers to ensure the technical feasibility and efficient implementation of UI designs within the game engine.

• Translate player feedback and results from playtesting sessions into actionable design improvements for UI elements.

• Proactively identify and propose solutions for UI challenges, contributing to the overall player experience and game accessibility.

• Assist in establishing and refining asset creation pipelines and workflows to support efficient UI production as development scales.

• Ensure all UI elements adhere to established visual hierarchy principles, maximizing readability and clarity for players in fast-paced scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities have been expanded to detail the specific artistic and collaborative duties expected of a UI Artist in a game development context, focusing on asset creation, standards definition, and cross-functional teamwork.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Digital Art, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is often preferred in the game industry for foundational design principles.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in UI design, with a significant portion dedicated to game development or interactive content creation. Prior experience in defining UI standards and workflows for game projects is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Proven professional experience designing unique and atypical UI for games or interactive content.

• Strong understanding of UI design principles, including layout, readability, visual hierarchy, and user flow.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Figma, or equivalent software for asset creation.

• Ability to create polished, stylized, or anime-inspired UI, demonstrating aesthetic versatility.

• Demonstrated ability to iterate quickly on designs and effectively incorporate feedback from various stakeholders.

• A compelling portfolio showcasing a range of UI design work, particularly within gaming or interactive media.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions to cross-disciplinary teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience defining UI standards, visual guidelines, and production workflows for game titles.

• Specialized experience in designing iconography, custom typography, and comprehensive color systems.

• Familiarity with implementing UI within the Unreal Engine environment.

• Experience working on competitive multiplayer games or PvP titles.

• A track record of shipping game titles or completing significant commercial interactive projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is set to "Mid-Level (2-5 Years)" as the role involves defining standards and workflows from an early stage, implying a need for practical experience beyond junior levels. Preferred qualifications highlight specific game development and engine experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of game UI projects demonstrating a range of functionalities (e.g., main menus, HUDs, inventory screens, customization options).

• Case studies that clearly articulate the design process, problem-solving approach, and decision-making rationale behind specific UI elements.

• Examples of iconography, typography, and color systems designed specifically for game interfaces.

• Visual demonstrations of how UI elements contribute to player engagement, readability, and overall user experience within a game context.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate ability to document UI design processes, including wireframing, prototyping, asset creation, and implementation hand-off.

• Showcase understanding of how to create and maintain UI style guides and visual asset libraries.

• Provide examples of how UI design processes are integrated with game design and engineering workflows.

• Illustrate methods for testing and iterating on UI designs to ensure optimal usability and player satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: Portfolio requirements are tailored for a UI Artist in game development, emphasizing process, visual execution, and functional design within an interactive context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Mid-Level UI Artists in Tokyo, Japan, with potential for visa sponsorship, a competitive annual salary range is estimated between ¥6,000,000 and ¥9,000,000 JPY. This range considers the specialized nature of game UI art, the cost of living in Tokyo, and the company's offerings.

Benefits:

• Performance-based Profit Sharing: Direct reward for company and project success.

• Generous Paid Time Off:

  • KOMODO Special Leave: 5 business days for Summer holiday, 7 business days for Winter holiday.
  • Additional Holidays: 1-day Birthday holiday, 1-day Game Launch Day holiday.
  • Standard Japanese Labor Law Paid Leave.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Full Social Insurance Coverage through the Kanto IT Software Health Insurance Society.

• Professional Development: Free language learning classes (Japanese and English) to support integration and communication.

• Team Building & Social Events: Company-sponsored events such as Office Lunch Parties and Year-end Parties.

• Work Visa Support: Assistance provided for obtaining necessary work visas for international candidates.

• Employee Perks: A Steam Deck provided to employees for their employment, along with access to free games and manga.

Working Hours: The standard workweek is 40 hours, aligning with typical full-time employment in Japan. While specific daily schedules may vary, the role is on-site, implying regular office hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: A salary range has been estimated based on industry standards for a mid-level UI Artist in Tokyo, Japan, factoring in the provided benefits like visa sponsorship and the company's structure. The benefits listed are directly from the job description and are presented with additional detail.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Game Development, specifically focusing on competitive PVP action games, alongside expanding Steam Deck sales and developing an indie manga platform (NIUHI). Komodo Co., Ltd. has a history of publishing over 120 games globally, indicating a strong foundation in the gaming market.

Company Size: Komodo Co., Ltd. is described as building a "small and powerful team" for its in-house title development, suggesting a lean and agile environment. While the overall company publishes many games, the specific development team for "Nanos" appears to be growing from an early, intimate stage. This implies a culture where individual contributions are highly visible and impactful.

Founded: Komodo Co., Ltd. has a history of publishing over 120 games globally, suggesting it has been operating for a significant period. The company is now embarking on building its first fully in-house title, indicating a strategic shift or expansion into new development paradigms.

Team Structure:

• The UI Artist will be part of a growing, foundational team for the "Nanos" project, working closely with experienced mentors from across the industry.

• The team is small and emphasizes individual agency, meaning direct reporting lines might be flatter or more collaborative than in larger organizations.

Methodology:

• The company fosters an environment of creative agency, encouraging individuals to make a meaningful impact and have freedom in their work.

• Data-driven insights will likely be crucial, especially through playtesting and iteration on UI designs for a competitive PVP game.

• Workflow planning and optimization will be key as the team builds its first in-house title, with the UI Artist playing a role in establishing UI standards and pipelines.

• Automation and efficiency practices will be important for asset creation and implementation, especially with tools and pipelines being defined from scratch.

Company Website: https://komodo.jp/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a blend of established industry experience (publishing 120+ games) and a startup-like environment for its new in-house development, emphasizing individual impact and creative freedom.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UI Artist. It requires professional experience and the ability to define UI standards and workflows from an early stage, indicating a step beyond entry-level or junior roles. The emphasis on creative agency and direct influence on core gameplay suggests significant responsibility.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, the role implies reporting to a Lead Artist, Art Director, or Game Director. The "small and powerful team" structure suggests a relatively flat hierarchy with direct access to senior team members and project leads, facilitating collaboration and feedback.

Operations Impact: As a UI Artist, the impact is directly tied to the player's perception and interaction with the game. A well-designed UI enhances player experience, improves clarity in competitive gameplay, and contributes significantly to the game's overall visual identity and market appeal. The role's early involvement means the UI artist will shape fundamental aspects of the player journey.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in competitive PVP UI design, potentially becoming a go-to specialist within the company or industry.

• Leadership: As an early team member, there's a clear path to becoming a Lead UI Artist or Art Director on future projects as the team and company grow.

• Skill Development: Exposure to Unreal Engine implementation, advanced asset pipelines, and cross-functional collaboration provides opportunities to expand technical and soft skills.

• Project Ownership: The chance to own and define UI standards and visual guidelines for a new, in-house title offers a high level of professional accomplishment and portfolio enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career and growth analysis focuses on the progression within game art and UI design, highlighting opportunities for specialization, leadership, and skill expansion unique to the game development industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan, implying an on-site work environment within a vibrant district known for its electronics and anime culture. This setting is often conducive to creative industries.

Office Location(s): Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan. This location offers access to a major urban center with excellent public transportation links, making it convenient for daily commutes.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as a "small and powerful team" where individuals have "freedom and creative agency." This suggests a collaborative yet focused workspace, likely with opportunities for direct interaction and brainstorming among team members.

• As a game development studio focusing on a new title, expect access to modern development tools and technology, including potentially high-performance workstations and relevant software. The mention of Unreal Engine as a plus hints at the primary development platform.

• The culture encourages meaningful impact, implying a dynamic and engaging atmosphere where contributions are visible and valued by colleagues and leadership.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time with standard working hours (inferred as 40 hours/week). Being an on-site position in Tokyo, it aligns with typical Japanese business hours, though specific daily schedules may offer some flexibility depending on team needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description is tailored to a game development studio in Tokyo, emphasizing the creative atmosphere, collaborative potential, and the specific advantages of the Akihabara location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and artistic style. Be prepared to highlight specific projects relevant to competitive PVP games or stylized UI.

• Technical/Art Test: A practical exercise to evaluate UI design skills, problem-solving abilities, and proficiency with design tools. This might involve creating a specific UI element or iterating on a given concept.

• Interviews with Team: Discussions with hiring managers, art directors, and potential team members to assess technical skills, creative vision, collaboration style, and cultural fit. Expect questions about your design philosophy and how you approach UI challenges.

• Portfolio Presentation: You may be asked to present your portfolio in detail, walking through your design process, decision-making, and the impact of your work on past projects.

• Final Interview: A wrap-up discussion, potentially with senior leadership, to finalize terms and ensure mutual fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize work that demonstrates your ability to create stylized, functional, and engaging UI for games, especially competitive or action-oriented titles.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your design process, the tools used, your specific contributions, and the outcome or impact. Use visuals effectively, including mockups, wireframes, and final assets.

• Highlight Process: Demonstrate your understanding of the UI design lifecycle, from concept and wireframing to high-fidelity mockups and asset creation for implementation.

• Showcase Technical Understanding: If you have experience with implementation (e.g., Unreal Engine), include examples or explanations of how your designs translate into the game engine.

• Tailor to Komodo: Research Komodo's current projects and their aesthetic. If possible, highlight work that aligns with their style or genre.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Genre: Familiarize yourself with common UI patterns and best practices in competitive PVP action games and shoot 'em ups.

• Focus on Readability & Functionality: Be prepared to discuss how you ensure UI is clear, intuitive, and non-intrusive, especially in fast-paced gameplay.

• Articulate Design Rationale: Practice explaining why you made certain design choices, linking them to player experience, gameplay mechanics, and artistic vision.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your comfort level with the mentioned tools (Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma) and any other relevant software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and interview process is structured to reflect typical hiring procedures for creative roles in game development, with specific advice on portfolio preparation and interview strategy tailored to a UI Artist position.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Vector Graphics Software: Adobe Illustrator, Figma, or similar for creating scalable vector assets like icons and UI elements.

• Raster Graphics Software: Adobe Photoshop or equivalent for creating textures, detailed UI elements, and mockups.

• Prototyping Tools: Figma, Adobe XD, or similar for creating interactive mockups and demonstrating UI flow.

• Game Engine Integration (Preferred): Familiarity with Unreal Engine's UI implementation tools (e.g., UMG - Unreal Motion Graphics) is a significant plus, indicating the ability to work directly with or closely alongside engine developers.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly responsible for data analysis, UI Artists are expected to understand how UI performance is measured (e.g., player engagement, task completion rates) and how user feedback informs design iterations.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the UI Artist role, but understanding how UI assets feed into the broader game development pipeline and asset management systems is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools section is focused on the specific software and technologies relevant to a UI Artist in game development, with a particular emphasis on design software and game engine integration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creative Agency & Impact: A core value is empowering individuals to make a meaningful impact and have freedom in their work, fostering a sense of ownership and innovation.

• Collaboration & Mentorship: The company supports a team environment with experienced mentors, encouraging knowledge sharing and collective growth.

• Quality & Excellence: As a company that has published many games, there's an inherent focus on delivering high-quality products, which extends to the visual and functional excellence of UI.

• Efficiency & Innovation: Building a new in-house title from the ground up implies a drive for efficient workflows and innovative approaches to game development.

• Player-Centricity: The emphasis on player experience, readability, and engagement in the UI role highlights a commitment to the end-user.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The UI Artist will work closely with designers, engineers, and other artists, requiring strong communication and a collaborative mindset to align on gameplay and artistic vision.

• Iterative Feedback Culture: The role involves iterating on designs based on playtesting and feedback, suggesting a culture that values constructive criticism and continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: With experienced mentors and a growing team, there's likely an encouragement of sharing best practices, workflows, and artistic techniques.

• Proactive Contribution: As an early member defining standards, the expectation is for proactive contribution and a willingness to shape team processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Team culture and values are inferred from the company description, emphasizing creative freedom, collaboration, and a player-centric approach, all vital for a game development environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Defining New Standards: As this is the company's first fully in-house title, establishing UI standards, workflows, and asset pipelines from scratch can be challenging but highly rewarding.

• Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality: Creating visually striking UI that is also highly readable and functional within a fast-paced PVP game requires careful design and iteration.

• Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively translating artistic vision into technical requirements for engineers and gameplay needs for designers requires strong communication skills and empathy for different disciplines.

• Adapting to Evolving Game Design: Game mechanics and features often change during development. The UI artist must be flexible and able to adapt designs to new requirements.

• Remote Collaboration (if applicable): While this role is on-site, if the team has remote members, coordinating and maintaining visual consistency across different locations can be a challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into PVP UI: Gain specialized expertise in designing for competitive multiplayer environments, a valuable niche in the gaming industry.

• Unreal Engine Proficiency: If not already an expert, there's an opportunity to become highly proficient in implementing UI within Unreal Engine.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Learn from experienced industry professionals and potentially grow into a leadership role as the team expands.

• Broadening Game Dev Experience: Contribute to the entire lifecycle of a new game title, from early concept to production, offering comprehensive industry exposure.

• Language Skills: Enhance Japanese language proficiency through free company-provided classes, valuable for living and working in Japan.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are framed around the specific context of building a new game title from the ground up, emphasizing both the hurdles and the unique learning experiences offered.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a new HUD for a fast-paced action game. How do you ensure readability and incorporate player feedback?" (Focus on methodology, iteration, and player-centric design).

• "How would you approach defining the visual identity and style guide for a new game like 'Nanos,' given its competitive PVP action genre and potential anime-inspired aesthetic?" (Highlight your creative process, research, and ability to translate vision into concrete guidelines).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Komodo Co., Ltd. and our current project 'Nanos'?" (Research the company's history, mission, and the game's genre).

• "How do you typically collaborate with game designers and engineers on UI implementation?" (Emphasize teamwork, communication, and understanding of cross-functional needs).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": For each project, explain the initial goal or problem statement.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use high-quality visuals (mockups, wireframes, animated examples) to illustrate your designs.

• Detail Your Process: Clearly outline your steps: research, wireframing, prototyping, asset creation, and any user testing or iteration.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If your UI work led to measurable improvements (e.g., increased player retention, faster task completion), present that data.

• Highlight Specific Contributions: If it was a team project, clearly delineate your role and responsibilities.

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Be prepared to discuss how your designs are implemented or what technical considerations you take into account.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is tailored for a UI Artist, focusing on questions that assess design thinking, technical skills, collaborative abilities, and cultural fit within a game development studio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Artist position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your most impactful UI design projects, prioritizing those relevant to game development, competitive genres, or stylized aesthetics. Ensure it clearly showcases your design process, problem-solving skills, and final assets.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight specific UI design experience, proficiency in relevant tools (Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma), and any game development or Unreal Engine experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, articulating your design rationale, and discussing your contributions to past projects. Be ready to explain how your work enhances player experience.

• Research Komodo: Understand the company's background, their history of game publishing, and the specific goals for the "Nanos" project. This 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.