UI Artist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Artist

Company: SYBO

Location: Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Art & Design / Game Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-23

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and create polished, engaging UI art and interactive elements that align with the established art direction and brand identity of Subway Surfers.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including art, design, and engineering, to bring player-centric UI features from concept through to pixel-perfect implementation.

• Develop and maintain UI design systems, style guides, and documentation to ensure consistency and scalability across all game screens and features.

• Optimize UI assets and implementation within the Unity engine to ensure high performance and a seamless player experience.

• Contribute to UX efforts by creating wireframes, user flows, and prototypes that clearly communicate the intended player journey and interaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within a game development context, specifically for a highly successful mobile game. While not a traditional "Revenue Operations" or "Sales Operations" role, the emphasis on UI implementation, asset performance optimization, and player experience directly impacts user engagement and retention, which are critical operational metrics for live-service games. The "operations" aspect here pertains to the operational excellence of the game's user interface.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Craft high-quality, lively UI art assets that meticulously adhere to and build upon the established art direction and brand guidelines of the Subway Surfers IP.

• Conceptualize, design, and produce intuitive and engaging UI screens, individual assets, and interactive elements for both new game features and enhancements to existing ones.

• Develop and present clear UI concepts and interactive prototypes to effectively communicate the intended look, feel, and overall player experience to stakeholders.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with art, game design, and engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of player-centric features from initial ideation to final implementation.

• Actively contribute to User Experience (UX) initiatives by creating wireframes, mapping user flows, and developing interactive prototypes to visualize and test player journeys.

• Establish and meticulously maintain comprehensive UI design systems, style guides, and detailed documentation to uphold visual consistency and facilitate scalable design across all game interfaces and features.

• Directly engage with the Unity engine for the pixel-perfect implementation of UI elements and to perform asset performance optimization, ensuring efficient loading and rendering.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility for "UI implementation" and "asset performance optimization" within the Unity engine highlights a critical operational aspect of this role. It moves beyond pure visual design to encompass the technical execution and efficiency of UI elements, directly impacting game performance and player satisfaction, which are key operational considerations in live-service games.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in visual arts, graphic design, or a related field is implied through the portfolio requirements.

Experience: Mid-level experience (2-5 years) in UI art and design, with a focus on game development.

Required Skills:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a strong track record of UI work specifically for games, with demonstrable examples of creating intuitive, polished, and highly engaging user interfaces.

• Proven ability to understand, adopt, and creatively build upon an established art direction and brand identity.

• Experience in conceptualizing and creating wireframes, user flows, and mockups, demonstrating a solid understanding of how UI design integrates with broader UX principles.

• Skilled in the design, rendering, and potential animation of high-quality UI elements that imbue personality and ensure clarity within the player experience.

• High proficiency with modern UI/UX design and prototyping tools, with a specific emphasis on Figma.

• Practical experience working within game engines, particularly Unity, and a solid understanding of UI implementation best practices. Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience working on large-scale, live-service mobile games, understanding the unique demands and operational cycles of such titles.

• Familiarity with animation principles for UI elements to enhance interactivity and visual appeal.

• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) for asset management and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "strong portfolio demonstrating solid UI work for games" is paramount. For this role, it should not only showcase aesthetic quality but also the clarity of user flows, the intuitiveness of navigation, and the successful integration of game mechanics into the UI. The emphasis on "pixel-perfect UI implementation" and "asset performance optimization" suggests a need for candidates who understand the technical constraints and operational efficiency of UI within a game engine.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct game UI projects, clearly detailing the problem statement, design process, and final execution.

• Include examples of UI screens, key asset designs (buttons, icons, panels), and interactive prototypes that demonstrate user flow and intuitive navigation.

• Provide case studies on how UI design decisions directly contributed to enhancing player engagement, retention, or overall game experience.

• Demonstrate proficiency in Figma, showcasing complex component libraries, auto-layout usage, and collaborative prototyping.

• Evidence of UI implementation within a game engine context, ideally through video demonstrations or annotated screenshots of live UI. Process Documentation:

• Illustrate the process of translating game design requirements into functional UI mockups and prototypes.

• Document the workflow for iterating on UI designs based on feedback from art, design, and engineering teams.

• Explain methods for ensuring UI consistency and scalability using design systems and style guides.

• Detail the approach to optimizing UI assets for performance within a game engine environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UI Artist role, the portfolio is not just a collection of pretty pictures but a demonstration of problem-solving and process. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their design decisions, explain the rationale behind their UI layouts, and articulate how their work impacts the player's operational experience within the game. The emphasis on "pixel-perfect UI implementation" means demonstrating an understanding of how designs translate into functional game elements.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Mid-Level UI Artist in Copenhagen, Denmark, with 2-5 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is typically between DKK 400,000 - DKK 600,000 (approximately $57,000 - $86,000 USD, subject to exchange rates). This range accounts for the high cost of living in Copenhagen and the specialized skills required in the gaming industry.

Benefits:

• Home-office budget: Financial support for setting up an effective remote workspace, ensuring productivity and comfort for hybrid work.

• Delicious lunch buffet: On-site catering providing nutritious and varied meal options, contributing to employee well-being and convenience.

• Healthy snacks: Availability of healthy food and beverage options to maintain energy levels throughout the workday.

• Social events: Regular company-organized gatherings and activities to foster team cohesion, networking, and a positive work environment.

• Relocation assistance: Comprehensive support from in-house specialists to facilitate a smooth transition for international candidates moving to Copenhagen.

• Home-office budget: Financial support for setting up an effective remote workspace, ensuring productivity and comfort for hybrid work.

• State-of-the-art studio: Access to modern facilities and equipment designed to support creative and productive work.

• IT support: On-hand IT team to ensure access to the latest tools and gear for both on-site and remote work.

Working Hours: The standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement. SYBO likely offers some flexibility within this framework to accommodate project needs and individual work styles, which is common in creative industries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for mid-level creative roles in Copenhagen and the specifics of the gaming industry. Benefit details are directly extracted from the provided text and contextualized for their operational value to employees. The visa sponsorship mention implies the company is open to hiring international talent and will support the necessary immigration processes.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Mobile Game Development (Gaming)

Company Size: SYBO is part of the Miniclip family, which is a significant player in the mobile gaming space. SYBO itself, while not explicitly sized, operates at a scale that supports a global hit like Subway Surfers, suggesting a substantial team size likely in the hundreds. This scale means established processes and a structured environment, yet with a focus on creative collaboration.

Founded: SYBO was founded in 2010. This history indicates a mature company with a proven track record in the competitive mobile gaming market.

Team Structure:

• The UI Artist will likely join a dedicated Art team, which is known to be "seasoned" and highly collaborative. This team works closely with Game Design and Engineering.

• Reporting structure would typically be to an Art Director or Lead UI Artist, with direct collaboration across disciplines.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, with close interaction expected between UI Artists, 2D/3D Artists, Game Designers, and Software Engineers to ensure cohesive feature development. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated for UI, the success of Subway Surfers suggests a data-informed approach to game development, where UI design likely considers player behavior analytics and A/B testing outcomes.

• Agile Development: Game development, especially for live-service titles, typically follows Agile methodologies, involving iterative development, regular feedback loops, and continuous improvement.

• Collaborative Iteration: The description emphasizes "feedback-friendly space where ideas bounce fast and bold," highlighting a culture of open communication and iterative refinement of designs.

Company Website: https://sybogames.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: SYBO's culture is presented as creative, collaborative, and focused on producing high-quality gaming experiences. The "northstar" of art and the emphasis on "polished and high quality art" suggest a strong commitment to visual excellence. The size and success of the company imply a professional operational framework supporting creative endeavors.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UI Artist. It requires established skills and a portfolio demonstrating independent contribution, but also offers significant growth potential. The candidate is expected to "own key UI assignments" within 3 months and become a "core part of the team’s creative engine" within a year.

Reporting Structure: The UI Artist will report to a Lead UI Artist or Art Director. They will work closely with Game Designers, other Artists, and Unity Engineers. This structure facilitates direct feedback and collaborative development.

Operations Impact: The UI Artist's work directly influences player experience, engagement, and retention – key operational metrics for a live-service game like Subway Surfers. By creating intuitive and visually appealing interfaces, they contribute to user satisfaction, longer play sessions, and ultimately, the sustained success of the game. Their ability to optimize UI implementation also impacts the game's performance, a critical operational consideration for mobile applications.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UI art, such as motion graphics for UI, advanced prototyping, or specialized asset creation.

• Lead/Senior Roles: Progress to a Senior UI Artist role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior artists, and contributing to high-level UI strategy.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to UX design principles, game design mechanics, and technical implementation within Unity, potentially leading to hybrid roles or specialized career paths.

• Art Direction Contribution: As experience grows, contribute more significantly to defining and evolving the art direction for UI elements within the game.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path described emphasizes both artistic and operational development. The progression from owning assignments to becoming a "core part of the team's creative engine" suggests opportunities to influence broader design strategies and operational standards for UI within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: SYBO operates from a modern, state-of-the-art studio located in the heart of Copenhagen. This implies a professional, well-equipped workspace designed to foster creativity and collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary office is in Copenhagen, Denmark. The company also offers a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The studio is described as having a "highly collaborative, feedback-friendly space where ideas bounce fast and bold," indicating an open and interactive atmosphere conducive to brainstorming and iterative design.

• Tools & Technology: Employees have access to the "latest tools and gear," including support for remote work via a home-office budget, ensuring they have the necessary resources to perform their roles effectively.

• Team Interaction: The emphasis on collaboration suggests ample opportunities for direct interaction with peers, including other artists, designers, and engineers, facilitating knowledge sharing and joint problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with an estimated 40 working hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility, allowing employees to balance on-site and remote work days, which can be beneficial for deep work and focused design tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "state-of-the-art studio" and "latest tools and gear" indicate an investment in the operational infrastructure that supports creative output. The hybrid model is a key aspect of the modern work environment, influencing how teams collaborate and manage workflows.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application, CV, and portfolio to assess suitability and alignment with role requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, discussing key projects, design processes, and problem-solving approaches. This will be followed by technical questions related to UI design, Unity implementation, and Figma proficiency.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential team members and hiring managers to discuss collaboration style, creative approach, and alignment with SYBO's culture.

• Final Interview: May involve higher-level discussions on game vision, strategy, and potential contributions to the studio's broader goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant game UI projects. Quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the problem, your process (ideation, wireframing, prototyping, iteration), the tools used, and the outcome/impact.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, demonstrate how you collaborated with others (designers, engineers) and incorporated feedback.

• Showcase Technical Skills: Include examples of UI implementation in Unity or clear explanations of how your designs are technically feasible and optimized for performance.

• Demonstrate Brand Adherence: For this role, explicitly show how you can adapt to and build upon an established IP like Subway Surfers.

Challenge Preparation:

• UI Design Challenge: Expect a practical exercise focused on designing a specific UI screen or feature based on a prompt, potentially requiring wireframing, mockups, and a brief presentation of the solution.

• Unity Implementation Question: Be prepared to discuss how you would implement certain UI elements in Unity, considering performance and scalability.

• Art Direction Integration: Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing UI that aligns with a given art style and brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a creative role like this will heavily weigh the portfolio. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design rationale, demonstrate their technical understanding of UI implementation in a game engine, and show how they can operate within a collaborative and feedback-driven environment. The "pixel-perfect" and "performance optimization" aspects suggest a need to discuss practical implementation challenges.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative workflow. Proficiency is explicitly required.

• Unity Engine: Critical for UI implementation, asset integration, and performance testing. Understanding of its UI systems (e.g., UGUI, UI Toolkit) is key.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): Standard tools for creating and editing UI assets, rendering, and potentially animation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly used by the UI Artist, understanding how UI performance data and player analytics (e.g., from tools like GameAnalytics, Firebase) inform design decisions is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role's core functions, but familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Jira, Trello) used in Agile development workflows is common.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified tools (Figma, Unity) are central to the role's daily operations. Emphasizing proficiency and practical application within these platforms is crucial. The mention of "pixel-perfect UI implementation" and "asset performance optimization" within Unity is a strong indicator of the technical depth expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Artistic Excellence: A core value, with a strong emphasis on "polished and high quality art" that "brings storytelling to life." This means a dedication to visual fidelity and aesthetic appeal.

• Collaboration & Feedback: The culture thrives on "feedback-friendly space where ideas bounce fast and bold," fostering an environment where constructive criticism and shared ideas are welcomed and valued.

• Player-Centricity: The ultimate goal is to create "playful moments that inspire our fans to care," indicating a deep commitment to understanding and serving the player experience.

• Innovation & Iteration: The role involves "iterating" and thriving on "polish," suggesting a culture that embraces continuous improvement and refinement of designs.

• Efficiency & Performance: The need for "pixel-perfect UI implementation and asset performance optimization" points to an underlying value of operational efficiency and technical execution.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: UI Artists are expected to work "closely with the art, design and engineering" teams, indicating a highly integrated and collaborative workflow.

• Open Communication: The emphasis on a "feedback-friendly space" suggests an open and direct communication style, where ideas are shared freely and respectfully.

• Mutual Support: The description of artists "elevating your team as much as your pixels" highlights a culture of mutual support and shared success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at SYBO appears to be a blend of creative passion and operational pragmatism. While artistic quality is paramount, there's a clear understanding that UI design must serve the player experience and be technically sound, implying a culture that values both creativity and efficient execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring all UI elements perfectly align with the established and beloved Subway Surfers art direction while introducing new features.

• Balancing Aesthetics and Performance: Creating visually stunning UI that also performs optimally on a wide range of mobile devices, requiring careful asset optimization and implementation.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Effectively communicating design intent and incorporating feedback from diverse disciplines (art, design, engineering) to achieve a cohesive final product.

• Rapid Iteration: Adapting to fast-paced development cycles and iterating quickly on designs based on playtesting and feedback.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering Unity UI Implementation: Deepening practical skills in implementing complex UI directly within the Unity engine, including advanced scripting and optimization techniques