UI Artist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Artist

Company: Nordeus

Location: Belgrade, Serbia

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Art & Design / Game Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-15

Experience Level: Entry-Level to Junior (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

This role is a critical component of the game development lifecycle, focusing on the creation of visually compelling and user-friendly interfaces for Nordeus's globally played mobile games. The UI Artist will translate conceptual designs and wireframes into functional, aesthetically pleasing in-game assets, directly impacting millions of players' interaction and enjoyment. This position emphasizes hands-on asset creation, adherence to art direction, and collaborative problem-solving within a multidisciplinary game team. The role requires a blend of artistic talent, technical proficiency with design tools, and a keen understanding of user experience principles within the gaming context.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "UI Artist," in a broader GTM/Operations context, this role significantly influences user acquisition, retention, and player engagement through the design of interfaces that are both intuitive and visually appealing. The "Operations" aspect comes into play through the systematic creation and optimization of UI assets that support Live Ops campaigns and ensure a consistent player experience across various game features.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Interface Asset Creation: Design and produce a wide range of in-game UI assets, including menus, buttons, icons, backgrounds, and other interactive elements, ensuring they align with the established art direction and style guides.

• Visual Design & Layout: Apply strong graphic design principles to create visually iconic and functional user interfaces that enhance player interaction and game flow.

• Live Ops Support: Develop optimized vector and raster assets to support Live Operations (Live Ops) campaigns, ensuring visual consistency and timely delivery for in-game events and promotions.

• Collaboration & Ideation: Actively participate in the ideation process by generating UI mockups, sketches, and concepts, and provide suggestions for new game features and improvements.

• Cross-functional Partnership: Collaborate closely with Art Directors, UX Designers, Game Designers, Engineers, and other UI Artists to define and refine the game's visual identity and user experience.

• Process Adherence: Maintain disciplined working practices regarding folder structures, naming conventions, file organization, and documentation to ensure efficiency and maintainability within the development pipeline.

• Tool Proficiency & Learning: Utilize industry-standard design software and demonstrate a willingness to learn and adapt to new tools and processes within Nordeus's game-making pipeline, from asset creation to implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight the direct impact on the player experience, which is a key driver of user retention and engagement—critical metrics for GTM success. The emphasis on Live Ops support indicates a need for agility and responsiveness in asset creation, aligning with dynamic marketing and engagement strategies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Formal education in Graphic Design, Art, Game Design, or a related field is beneficial but not strictly required if equivalent practical experience and a strong portfolio are presented.

Experience:

• Minimum of 1 year of relevant professional experience in UI Art, Graphic Design, or a closely related field within the gaming or interactive media industry. Required Skills:

• UI Art & Graphic Design: Proven ability to create visually appealing and functional user interfaces.

• Adobe Creative Suite: High proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator for asset creation and manipulation.

• Figma Proficiency: Demonstrated skill in using Figma for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• Typography & Layout: Excellent understanding of typography, layout principles, and visual hierarchy.

• Iconography Design: Skill in creating clear, concise, and aesthetically consistent icons.

• Color Theory & Aesthetics: Strong grasp of color theory, value, texture, and overall visual aesthetics as applied to user interfaces.

• Communication & Collaboration: Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and collaborate productively in a team environment.

• Time Management & Organization: Strong organizational skills, punctuality, and discipline in managing files, adhering to naming conventions, and meeting deadlines.

• Asset Optimization: Ability to create optimized vector and raster assets suitable for game engine implementation.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with Unity game engine for UI implementation and testing.

• Experience with Adobe After Effects for UI animations and motion graphics.

• Knowledge of 3D modeling software (e.g., Maya, Blender) for asset integration or concepting.

• Experience with UI animations and visual effects (VFX) visualization.

• Passion for playing games, understanding player psychology and in-game experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and Adobe Suite points to a need for efficient workflow and asset production. The "Bonus Points" section provides clear guidance on desired supplementary skills that can significantly enhance a candidate's profile for roles involving game development pipelines.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Visual Design Process Breakdown: Include at least one comprehensive case study demonstrating your entire design process, from initial concept or brief to final polished UI asset. This should showcase your ability to conceptualize, iterate, and refine designs.

• UI Design Focus: Prioritize showcasing core UI design skills, including layout, typography, hierarchy, interaction design principles, and meticulous attention to detail.

• Asset Variety: Present a range of UI assets, such as menus, buttons, icons, HUD elements, and in-game notifications, demonstrating versatility.

• Consistency & Style Adherence: Highlight examples where you successfully maintained a consistent visual aesthetic and adhered to a specific art direction or style guide.

• Optimization Awareness: If possible, include examples or notes on how assets were optimized for performance within a game engine context.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate an understanding of UI workflow from wireframe to final asset, including any iterative steps or feedback loops.

• Implementation Considerations: Show awareness of how UI assets are implemented in a game engine, considering technical constraints and performance.

• Collaboration Evidence: Include examples of how your work was integrated with other team members' contributions (e.g., collaborating with UX designers or engineers).

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. It's not just about the final product but the process behind it. Candidates should focus on clearly articulating their design thinking, problem-solving approaches, and how they translate requirements into effective UI solutions. This directly relates to the "operations" of design – systematic, documented, and collaborative.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a UI Artist with 0-2 years of experience in Belgrade, Serbia, the estimated annual gross salary range is likely between €15,000 - €25,000. This is an estimate and can vary based on the candidate's specific skills, portfolio strength, and interview performance.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness: Premium private medical insurance for you and your family, fully-equipped gym, organized sports activities (yoga, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, basketball, football).

• Work-Life Integration: Flexible working hours, take-what-you-need vacation policy, hybrid work arrangement.

• Office Amenities: Nordeus-provided breakfast, lunch, snacks, and beverages; ergonomic workstation; kids' playroom; music corner; board and video games + latest consoles.

• Technology & Equipment: Top-notch tech equipment, including laptop, mobile phone, and bill coverage.

• Financial & Career Growth: Employee stock purchase plan, access to L&D platforms and opportunities, fully-paid maternity and paternity leave.

• Company Culture: Offsites abroad for the whole company, strong sense of teamwork, transparency, and trust.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, with an emphasis on flexible working arrangements. The hybrid model allows for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for similar roles in Belgrade. The extensive list of benefits highlights Nordeus's commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, which are attractive factors for retaining talent in the competitive game development industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Mobile Gaming / Sports Simulation. Nordeus is a prominent player in the mobile gaming industry, specifically known for its highly successful sports management simulation titles like Top Eleven and Golf Rival. This industry context implies a fast-paced, iterative development environment driven by player feedback and market trends.

Company Size: 280+ teammates. This size indicates a company that is large enough to offer stability and resources but small enough to maintain a close-knit, collaborative culture where individual contributions are highly visible.

Founded: Nordeus was founded in 2010. This history suggests a mature company with established processes, a proven track record in game development, and a deep understanding of the mobile gaming market.

Team Structure:

• Multidisciplinary Game Teams: You'll be part of a dedicated game team, working alongside other UI artists, Art Directors, UX Designers, Game Designers, and Engineers. This structure fosters specialized collaboration.

• Wider Art Community: Beyond the immediate game team, you'll be integrated into a broader art community within Nordeus, encouraging knowledge sharing, peer feedback, and collective skill development.

• Reporting Lines: Typically, UI Artists report to an Art Director or Lead UI Artist, who in turn may report to a Head of Art or Game Director, ensuring clear lines of communication and creative oversight.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While artistic, the UI design process is informed by player data and analytics, especially for Live Ops and feature updates, to ensure features resonate with the player base.

• Agile Development: Game development at Nordeus likely follows agile methodologies, requiring flexibility, iterative design, and close collaboration with development sprints.

• User-Centric Approach: A strong emphasis on understanding and catering to the player experience, ensuring interfaces are intuitive, engaging, and enhance gameplay.

Company Website: http://www.nordeus.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Nordeus's focus on mobile sports games means the UI artist will be working on products with massive user bases, requiring a blend of creative artistry and practical, performance-oriented design. The company culture emphasizes collaboration and continuous learning, which are essential for staying competitive in the rapidly evolving gaming sector.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an Entry-Level to Junior UI Artist (0-2 years of experience). It represents an excellent opportunity for individuals starting their careers in game development or transitioning from related design fields. The scope is focused on executing designs and creating assets under guidance.

Reporting Structure: The UI Artist will report to a Lead UI Artist or Art Director, working within a multidisciplinary game team. This structure provides mentorship and clear direction while allowing for creative input.

Operations Impact: The UI Artist's work directly impacts player engagement, retention, and monetization by shaping the user experience. Intuitive and appealing interfaces reduce player friction, encourage longer play sessions, and can positively influence in-game purchasing decisions. The creation of assets for Live Ops campaigns directly supports GTM strategies for events and promotions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Develop expertise in specific areas of UI art, such as motion graphics, animation, or advanced visual effects for UI.

• Leadership Track: Progress to a Senior UI Artist role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior artists, and contributing more significantly to art direction.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to UX design, game design, and technical implementation, potentially leading to roles in UX/UI design or technical art.

• Game Design Exposure: Deeper involvement in the game design process, contributing to feature ideation and player experience strategy.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Access to L&D platforms and potentially opportunities to attend industry events for continuous professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within the specialized field of game UI art. The emphasis on learning new tools and collaboration suggests a commitment to developing well-rounded artists who can adapt to the evolving demands of the gaming industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Nordeus operates with a hybrid work model. This means employees will spend a portion of their week working from the company's office in Belgrade and the remainder remotely. This model aims to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): The position is based in Belgrade, Serbia. Nordeus has a significant presence in Belgrade, offering a modern and well-equipped workspace designed to foster creativity and collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office is likely designed with open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and breakout zones to encourage interaction and teamwork among artists, designers, and developers.

• Technology & Tools: Employees are provided with top-notch tech equipment, including ergonomic workstations and high-performance laptops, ensuring they have the necessary tools to perform their creative tasks efficiently.

• Creative Atmosphere: The environment is geared towards fostering creativity, with amenities like a music corner and access to games, promoting a culture that understands and values the creative process in game development.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are a key benefit. While core hours for collaboration might exist, the overall schedule allows employees to manage their time effectively, aligning with the hybrid work arrangement and Nordeus's focus on work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and flexible work environment is designed to support productivity and employee well-being. For a UI Artist, this means having dedicated time for focused asset creation at home and collaborative sessions, brainstorming, and feedback meetings in the office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and artistic style.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session with the UI Art team or Art Director to walk through your portfolio. Expect questions about your design process, tool proficiency, and problem-solving approaches for UI challenges.

• Technical/Creative Test: Potentially a small, timed design task or a practical exercise to evaluate your skills in real-time, focusing on areas like layout, typography, or asset creation within a specific brief.

• Team & Culture Fit: Interviews with team members (Game Designers, other Artists, Engineers) to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and cultural alignment with Nordeus's values.

• Final Interview: A concluding discussion with hiring management to finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Wisely: Select your strongest UI design projects that best represent your skills for game interfaces. Less is often more if the quality is high.

• Process is Key: Clearly articulate your thought process for each project. Use annotations, sketches, and explanations to show how you arrived at the final design. Highlight challenges and how you overcame them.

• Showcase Core Skills: Emphasize layout, typography, color usage, iconography, and attention to detail. Demonstrate an understanding of usability and player experience.

• Technical Considerations: Briefly mention any considerations for asset implementation or optimization if applicable.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. Use a platform like Behance, ArtStation, or a personal website.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a test, read the instructions carefully. Clarify any ambiguities before starting.

• Time Management: Practice designing under time constraints. Prioritize core elements of the brief.

• Focus on Core UI Principles: Apply fundamental UI design principles (hierarchy, consistency, feedback, clarity) to any task.

• Communicate Your Decisions: Be prepared to explain your choices during the review, even for a test.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is critical. Candidates should prepare to not only show their work but to deconstruct their design decisions and problem-solving methodologies. This showcases their operational approach to design.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Photoshop: Essential for raster image editing, texture creation, and detailed asset refinement.

• Adobe Illustrator: Crucial for creating vector-based assets such as icons, logos, and scalable interface elements.

• Figma: A key tool for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design workflows. Proficiency is a must.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly used by the UI Artist for reporting, understanding how UI impacts analytics (e.g., conversion rates for buttons, engagement with menus) is beneficial. Awareness of tools like Amplitude or Firebase Analytics might be a plus for understanding player behavior. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the UI Artist role itself, but understanding how UI elements support player onboarding (CRM-like functions) and engagement automation (e.g., push notifications, in-game messaging) is valuable context. Game Development Specific:

• Unity: Familiarity with the Unity game engine is a significant advantage, as it's where UI assets will be implemented. Understanding how assets are integrated, scaled, and animated within Unity is highly desirable.

• Adobe After Effects: Useful for creating UI animations and motion graphics, enhancing the visual polish and interactivity of the interface.

• 3D Modeling Software (e.g., Maya, Blender): Potentially useful for creating specific UI elements or understanding 3D asset integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools (Adobe Suite, Figma) are standard for UI design. However, the emphasis on Unity and potentially After Effects highlights the specific needs of game development, where UI is not just static but dynamic and interactive.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player Focus: A deep commitment to creating experiences that players will love, ensuring UI is intuitive, engaging, and enhances gameplay.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on open communication, mutual respect, and collective problem-solving to achieve shared goals. Transparency is key.

• Continuous Improvement: A drive to constantly learn, adapt, and refine skills and processes to deliver high-quality work and stay ahead in the industry.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for one's work, from concept to implementation, and contributing proactively to team success.

• Passion for Games: A genuine enthusiasm for gaming that fuels creativity and dedication to making great games.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: UI Artists work closely with diverse teams (Art, UX, Design, Engineering), requiring strong communication and the ability to translate needs across disciplines.

• Feedback-Driven: An environment where constructive feedback is welcomed and utilized to iterate on designs and improve outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in the art community, sharing best practices, techniques, and insights to elevate the entire team's skill level.

📝 Enhancement Note: Nordeus's culture appears to value a blend of individual creativity and strong team synergy. The emphasis on player focus and continuous improvement aligns with the dynamic nature of the mobile gaming market.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality: Creating visually stunning interfaces that are also highly functional, intuitive, and performant within game engine constraints.

• Adhering to Strict Art Direction: Maintaining a consistent visual style across various game features and Live Ops campaigns, while still bringing creative input.

• Rapid Iteration & Deadlines: Working in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines, especially for Live Ops events, requiring efficient workflow and quick adaptation.

• Technical Constraints: Designing within the technical limitations of mobile platforms and game engines, ensuring assets are optimized for performance.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UI Techniques: Opportunities to learn and implement advanced UI animations, micro-interactions, and visual effects.

• Game Engine Integration: Deepen understanding of how UI is implemented in Unity, potentially moving towards technical artist responsibilities.

• UX Design Principles: Develop a stronger understanding of user experience research and apply it to UI design decisions.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Learn from experienced Game Designers and Engineers to gain a holistic view of game development.

• Mentorship: Benefit from guidance from experienced Art Directors and Senior UI Artists within the Nordeus art community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for game UI artists but are framed within Nordeus's specific context. The growth opportunities highlight a clear pathway for skill development and career advancement within the company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Walk me through a UI project in your portfolio. What was the initial brief, what challenges did you face, and how did you arrive at the final design?" (Focus on your process, problem-solving, and rationale.)

• "How do you balance visual appeal with usability in UI design, especially for a mobile game targeting millions of players?" (Discuss player-centric design, intuitive layouts, and clear hierarchy.)

• "Describe your experience creating assets for Live Ops campaigns. How do you ensure visual consistency and timely delivery?" (Highlight organization, efficiency, and understanding of campaign goals.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What aspects of Nordeus's games or company culture appeal to you?" (Research Top Eleven/Golf Rival, their impact, and Nordeus's stated values.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers, such as engineers or game designers?" (Emphasize clear communication, active listening, and a willingness to understand technical or gameplay constraints.)

• "How do you stay updated with the latest UI design trends and tools in the gaming industry?" (Mention industry blogs, conferences, online communities, and continuous learning.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as mini-case studies. Start with the problem or brief, detail your solution and process, and conclude with the outcome or impact.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is visually clean and easy to navigate. Use high-quality mockups and clear annotations.

• Highlight Process: For at least one project, provide a step-by-step breakdown showing sketches, wireframes, iterations, and final assets. Explain the rationale behind key design decisions.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma, and how you leverage their features for efficient UI asset creation.

• Passion & Enthusiasm: Convey your excitement for game development and UI art.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these types of questions will demonstrate not just artistic skill but also the candidate's understanding of the operational aspects of design: process, collaboration, and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Artist position:

• Submit your application through the Nordeus careers portal via the provided URL.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight UI design specifically for mobile games. Showcase projects demonstrating strong layout, typography, iconography, and user flow. If you have a project that breaks down the design process from concept to completion, feature it prominently.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your proficiency with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma, along with any experience in Unity or After Effects. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Created UI assets for X game features").

• Interview Preparation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on explaining your design decisions and problem-solving approach. Prepare specific examples of collaboration and handling feedback. Research Nordeus's games and company values.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Nordeus's games (Top Eleven, Golf Rival), their target audience, and the company's mission and values. Understand their position in the mobile gaming market.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Nordeus before making application decisions.