UI Artist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Artist

Company: Vertigo

Location: Istanbul, İstanbul, Turkey

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Game Development / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-23

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and create high-quality, game-ready 2D assets and User Interface (UI) elements specifically for mobile games, with a focus on midcore and FPS genres.

• Translate player-centric UI/UX principles into intuitive and engaging game interfaces that enhance player interaction and retention.

• Collaborate effectively with game designers, developers, and other art team members to ensure seamless integration of UI assets into game builds.

• Research and stay current with emerging trends in game UI/UX design, visual standards, and mobile gaming technical requirements to maintain a competitive edge.

• Develop and adapt distinct visual languages and styles to match the unique branding and player experience of various game titles.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input title is "UI Artist," the description emphasizes UX patterns and player interaction, suggesting a role that bridges UI art with UX design principles, particularly within the mobile gaming context of midcore and FPS genres. The on-site requirement in Istanbul signifies a need for local candidates or those willing to relocate.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and produce polished, game-ready 2D UI assets, icons, menus, HUD elements, and other graphical components that align with the game's overall art direction and brand identity.

• Design and implement intuitive user flows and UX patterns that optimize player navigation, accessibility, and engagement across various game features and platforms (iOS and Android).

• Work closely with game designers and product managers to understand game mechanics, player needs, and design requirements, translating them into effective UI solutions.

• Maintain and evolve the visual language and style guide for assigned games, ensuring consistency and adherence to established artistic standards.

• Optimize UI assets for performance on mobile devices, considering factors such as resolution, file size, and rendering efficiency without compromising visual quality.

• Conduct competitive analysis and industry research to identify best practices in mobile game UI/UX and incorporate innovative design solutions.

• Participate in design reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback to continuously improve UI/UX quality and effectiveness.

• Adapt quickly to different game styles and visual languages, demonstrating versatility in creating diverse artistic expressions for various game titles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided description highlights the need for creating "game-ready visuals" and "UX-UI elements," implying a hands-on role in asset creation and integration. The emphasis on studying existing games ("Critical Strike," "Polygun Arena") suggests that understanding current UX patterns and visual language is crucial for this position, moving beyond pure aesthetics to functional design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Proven experience as a UI Artist, UI Designer, or similar role within the video game industry, with a focus on mobile game development.

• A portfolio showcasing a range of high-quality 2D UI assets, mockups, and interactive prototypes for mobile games, ideally within midcore or FPS genres.

Required Skills:

• Expert knowledge of 2D design programs: Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and potentially Figma or Sketch for UI/UX design and asset creation.

• Strong visual and technical understanding of 2D composition: Ability to create visually appealing and well-balanced layouts, considering principles of graphic design, typography, and visual hierarchy.

• Adaptation to mobile game technical standards: Understanding of mobile platform constraints, performance optimization, and asset integration workflows for mobile game engines.

• Effective usage of coloring and composition skills: Demonstrated ability to use color palettes and compositional techniques to evoke specific moods, guide player attention, and enhance visual appeal.

• Ability to read, understand, and follow visual language: Capacity to interpret art direction, style guides, and existing game assets to maintain design consistency.

• Proactive, self-motivated, and organized: Ability to manage tasks independently, prioritize workload effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced development environment.

• Good sense of time and task management: Efficiently plan and execute tasks, ensuring timely delivery of assets and design solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine for understanding UI implementation.

• Experience with UX research methodologies and user testing.

• Basic understanding of animation principles for UI elements.

• Ability to create vector graphics and optimize them for various screen resolutions.

• Experience in creating UI for midcore and FPS games, demonstrating an understanding of genre-specific conventions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Good-Expert knowledge of 2D design programs" and "strong visual and technical understanding of 2D composition" are core requirements. The emphasis on adapting to "mobile game technical standards" and creating "different visual languages for different games" highlights the need for versatility and practical application of design skills within the mobile gaming context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate UI/UX Design for Mobile Games: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 projects specifically focusing on UI/UX design for mobile games. Each project should clearly articulate the problem, your proposed solution, and the outcome.

• Showcase Game-Ready Asset Creation: Include examples of polished, production-ready 2D UI assets (e.g., buttons, menus, HUD elements, icons) that are optimized for mobile performance.

• Illustrate Visual Language Versatility: Present projects that highlight your ability to create distinct visual styles and adapt to different game genres or themes, demonstrating your capacity to work on diverse titles.

• Detail UX Flow and Interaction Design: Provide wireframes, user flows, or interactive prototypes that explain how players navigate through the game's interface and interact with its features.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: For each portfolio project, briefly describe your design process, from initial concept and wireframing to final asset production and implementation considerations.

• System Implementation Approach: Explain how your UI assets are designed to integrate seamlessly with game engines and development pipelines, considering technical constraints and performance.

• Metrics and Player Feedback Integration: If applicable, describe how you have used player feedback, analytics, or A/B testing results to inform and improve UI/UX designs in past projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly encourages applicants to "study their flows, UX patterns, and visual language" of existing games. This implies that the portfolio should not just be a collection of pretty pictures but a demonstration of analytical thinking, understanding of player journeys, and the ability to apply design principles to improve user experience within a game context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Competitive Pay: Salary commensurate with contribution and experience.

• Meal Allowance: Provided to cover daily meals.

• Delicious In-Office Catering: Regular fresh meals and snacks available at the office.

• Private Health Insurance: Comprehensive health coverage for employees.

• Continuous Learning Support: Monthly budget for courses, certifications, and professional development platforms.

• Equity: Real equity offered, providing a stake in the company's growth and success.

• Meaningful Time Off:

  • Bonus company-wide rewind holidays for extra breaks.
  • Birthday leave, granting a full day off on your birthday.
  • Standard annual leave entitlement (details to be confirmed).

• Referral Bonus: Reward for successfully referring new talent to the company.

• Milestone Awards: Bonuses awarded for reaching significant career milestones within the company.

• Game Room: On-site dedicated space for gaming breaks.

Working Hours:

• 40 hours per week, aligning with a standard full-time work schedule.

• The role is on-site, requiring 5 days a week in the Levent office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical mid-level UI Artist compensation in Istanbul, Turkey, considering the provided benefits package which includes equity and significant perks. The "40 hours" is inferred from standard full-time employment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Mobile Game Development (Focus on Midcore & FPS)

Company Size: The company provides an employee count range, likely indicating a growing mid-sized organization. This size often fosters a balance between structured processes and agile teamwork, allowing for significant individual impact.

Founded: Vertigo was founded in [Year - infer from LinkedIn data if available, otherwise note as undisclosed]. This suggests a company with established experience in the market, likely building on a history of successful game launches.

Team Structure:

• Cross-functional Game Teams: UI Artists will likely be embedded within specific game development teams, working closely with Game Designers, other Artists (2D/3D), and Engineers.

• Reporting Structure: Typically, UI Artists report to an Art Lead or Art Director, who oversees the visual quality and consistency across all game projects.

• Collaborative Environment: The culture emphasizes "Curious, collaborative, and focused," suggesting an environment where ideas are shared openly, and teamwork is paramount to achieving game development goals.

Methodology:

• Player-Centric Design: A core principle is focusing on the player experience, meaning UI/UX decisions are driven by player needs, engagement, and retention.

• Data-Informed Decisions: While not explicitly stated for UI, the emphasis on "ownership" implies that design choices are often backed by analysis of player behavior and game metrics.

• Agile Development: Mobile game development often follows agile methodologies, requiring iterative design, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback loops.

Company Website: https://vertigo-games.com/ (Inferred from domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "smash-hit games" and "loved and played by over 150 million fans worldwide" indicates a strong market presence and a commitment to quality. The emphasis on "ownership" and "player-centric" design suggests a culture that values both individual initiative and user-focused outcomes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level UI Artist. This role is positioned for individuals who have moved beyond foundational skills and are capable of independent work, contributing significantly to game projects, and potentially mentoring junior artists. The expectation is for a solid understanding of mobile game UI/UX principles and the ability to execute complex visual designs.

Reporting Structure: Typically, a UI Artist reports to an Art Lead or Art Director. This structure ensures guidance on artistic direction and quality control, while also providing a pathway for career advancement within the art department.

Operations Impact: The UI Artist's work directly impacts player experience, engagement, and retention. High-quality, intuitive UI can lead to increased playtime, better player satisfaction, and ultimately, higher revenue generation through in-app purchases and continued player base. Effective UI design is critical for the success of "smash-hit games."

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific areas like UI animation, UX research, or technical art for UI.

• Leadership: Progress to Senior UI Artist, Art Lead, or Art Director roles, taking on more responsibility for team management, project direction, and strategic design decisions.

• Skill Expansion: Gain experience in 3D UI elements, procedural UI generation, or cross-platform design considerations.

• Cross-functional Movement: Potentially transition into Game Design or Product Management roles by leveraging a strong understanding of player interaction and game systems.

• Industry Recognition: Contribute to award-winning games that build a strong personal brand and reputation within the gaming industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the company's benefits, including "Equity That Actually Makes You a Partner" and "Continuous Learning Support," directly points to opportunities for significant growth and professional development, aligning with a mid-level role aiming for long-term career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The description highlights a "Modern, Comfortable Office in Levent" with a "Bright space, central location, one step from the metro." This indicates a professional, well-equipped, and easily accessible workspace designed to foster productivity and creativity.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Levent, Istanbul, Turkey. This is a well-known business district, suggesting good transport links and proximity to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Design: The office environment is designed to keep employees in the "zone" while also offering spaces for collaboration and "Fun team moments." This balance supports focused individual work and effective teamwork.

• Tools and Technology: While specific tools are listed later, the environment is assumed to be equipped with modern hardware and software necessary for high-end 2D art and UI/UX design.

• Interaction Opportunities: Regular "happy hours" and "in-office events" provide informal opportunities for interaction with colleagues across different departments, fostering a strong sense of community and cross-functional understanding.

Work Schedule:

• On-site, 5 days a week. The standard working hours are 40 per week, suggesting a structured workday. However, the company culture may allow for some flexibility within the framework of project deadlines and team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of a "Game Room" and "Office Events That Keep Us Connected" suggests a company that values work-life balance and fosters a positive, engaging atmosphere beyond just the core work tasks, which is a key aspect of the overall work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and artistic style.

• Technical Interview / Portfolio Review: A detailed discussion of your portfolio, focusing on specific projects, your design process, problem-solving skills, and understanding of UI/UX principles for mobile games. Expect to discuss your approach to creating game-ready assets and adapting visual languages.

• Skills Assessment (Potential): A practical test or exercise may be given to evaluate your proficiency in 2D design software, composition, and ability to create UI elements under specific constraints.

• Team / Cultural Fit Interview: Meeting with potential team members and leads to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with Vertigo's culture (curious, collaborative, ownership-driven).

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior management or hiring manager to finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Prioritize mobile game UI/UX projects, especially those in midcore or FPS genres. Showcase your best work that directly aligns with the responsibilities outlined.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your role, your design process (wireframing, prototyping, asset creation), the tools used, and the impact or outcome.

• Highlight Technical Proficiency: Demonstrate your ability to create game-ready assets, optimize for mobile, and adapt visual styles. Include examples of detailed asset sheets or style guides if possible.

• Showcase UX Thinking: Explain your rationale behind design decisions. How did you ensure intuitiveness, ease of navigation, and player engagement? Use user flows or wireframes to illustrate complex interactions.

• Be Prepared for Live Challenges: Have a few quick ideas or sketches ready for common UI elements or scenarios that might be presented during the interview.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Genre Conventions: Familiarize yourself with the typical UI elements, HUD layouts, and UX patterns found in popular midcore and FPS mobile games.

• Practice Asset Creation: Be ready to quickly mock up key UI screens or elements based on a given concept or theme. Focus on speed and clarity.

• Articulate Your Process: Practice explaining your design workflow concisely, emphasizing how you handle feedback and iterate on designs.

• Research Vertigo's Games: Play "Critical Strike" and "Polygun Arena" to understand their current UI/UX, visual language, and player experience. Be prepared to discuss your thoughts and potential improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description strongly emphasizes studying existing games. Therefore, preparation should heavily involve understanding Vertigo's current titles and being ready to discuss their UI/UX critically and constructively during the interview.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• 2D Design Software: Expert knowledge of industry-standard programs is crucial. This includes:

  • Adobe Photoshop: For raster image editing, texture creation, and asset manipulation.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, scalable UI elements, and iconography.
  • Figma/Sketch (Potentially): Increasingly used for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows. Proficiency in at least one is highly advantageous.

• Asset Optimization Tools: Familiarity with tools or methods for optimizing image file sizes and formats for mobile game deployment.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Game Engine Integration:

• Unity/Unreal Engine (Familiarity): While direct engine work might not be required, a basic understanding of how UI assets are implemented within these engines (e.g., understanding sprite sheets, anchors, UI canvases) is highly beneficial for effective collaboration with developers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "Good-Expert knowledge of 2D design programs" is a critical technical skill. Proficiency in Photoshop and Illustrator is almost certainly expected, with Figma or Sketch being strong secondary skills for modern UI/UX roles.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: All design decisions are ultimately aimed at improving the player experience, driving engagement, and fostering player loyalty.

• Ownership: A culture where team members take responsibility for their work, contribute ideas proactively, and are invested in the success of the games.

• Curiosity: A drive to explore new trends, technologies, and design approaches within the gaming industry and to continuously learn and improve.

• Collaboration: A commitment to working effectively with diverse teams, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues to achieve common goals.

• Focus: Dedication to delivering high-quality work and meeting project objectives efficiently within a dynamic development environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: UI Artists are expected to work seamlessly with game designers, engineers, and other artists, participating in design discussions and providing assets that meet technical and artistic requirements.

• Feedback-Driven Iteration: An open environment where constructive feedback is encouraged and used to refine designs iteratively. This involves active participation in critique sessions and responsiveness to input.

• Knowledge Sharing: The culture likely encourages sharing insights, techniques, and best practices among team members to elevate the overall quality of the art and design output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company slogan or core values of "Curious, collaborative, and focused" combined with "A Culture Built Around Players & Ownership" are key indicators of the desired team dynamic and employee mindset.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality: Creating visually stunning UI that is also highly functional, intuitive, and performant on a wide range of mobile devices.

• Adapting to Diverse Game Styles: Quickly understanding and executing different visual languages and thematic requirements for multiple game titles without compromising quality.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: The mobile gaming landscape evolves rapidly; continuously learning and adapting to new UI/UX trends, technologies, and player expectations is crucial.

• Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively translating artistic vision into technical requirements for developers and understanding technical constraints from engineers.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Mobile Game UX: Opportunities to study and analyze player behavior within Vertigo's successful titles, informing future design strategies.

• Exposure to AAA Mobile Development: Working on games played by millions worldwide provides invaluable experience and portfolio-building opportunities.

• Professional Development Budget: The monthly budget for courses and platforms supports continuous skill enhancement in areas like advanced 2D art techniques, UX research, or emerging design software.

• Mentorship and Senior Guidance: Learning from experienced Art Leads and Directors within a successful game studio.

• Equity and Ownership: The opportunity to grow with the company and benefit directly from its success fosters a strong sense of investment and continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Equity That Actually Makes You a Partner" and "Milestone Awards" suggests that long-term growth and contribution are highly valued and rewarded, presenting significant career development potential beyond just skill acquisition.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a new UI element, from initial concept to final game-ready asset. What steps do you take to ensure it's both visually appealing and functional for players?"

  • Preparation: Focus on your workflow, including research, sketching, wireframing, asset creation, optimization, and collaboration. Use specific examples from your portfolio.

• "How do you approach adapting your visual style to fit different game genres or themes? Can you provide an example from your portfolio where you successfully created a distinct visual language?"

  • Preparation: Be ready to discuss your methodology for understanding a game's brand and target audience, and how you translate that into UI design.

• "What are the key considerations when designing UI for mobile games compared to PC or console games? How do you ensure your designs are optimized for performance and usability on mobile devices?"

  • Preparation: Highlight your understanding of mobile constraints, touch interfaces, screen resolutions, and performance optimization techniques.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What are your thoughts on the UI/UX of our games, 'Critical Strike' and 'Polygun Arena'? What do you like, and what potential areas for improvement do you see?"

  • Preparation: Play both games extensively. Take notes on UI elements, navigation flows, visual style, and player feedback. Formulate thoughtful, constructive observations.

• "This role emphasizes collaboration and ownership. Can you describe a time you collaborated effectively with a diverse team to achieve a challenging design goal?"

  • Preparation: Prepare a STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) story that showcases teamwork, problem-solving, and taking initiative.

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in game UI/UX design?"

  • Preparation: Mention industry publications, design blogs, attending conferences (virtually or in-person), following industry leaders on social media, and actively playing games.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Project Deep Dive: Select 2-3 key projects that best represent your skills and align with the job description. Be prepared to walk through them in detail.

• Focus on Process & Rationale: Don't just show the final assets; explain why you made certain design choices. Use wireframes, user flows, and mood boards to illustrate your thought process.

• Highlight Mobile Optimization: Specifically point out how your assets are optimized for mobile performance and user experience.

• Showcase Versatility: If possible, select projects that demonstrate your ability to work across different styles and genres.

• Be Ready for Live Design: Have a tablet or drawing tool ready in case you're asked to sketch out a quick UI concept or flow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation heavily emphasizes understanding Vertigo's existing games. This is a critical aspect that candidates must address thoroughly to demonstrate genuine interest and analytical capability.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Artist position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your best 2D UI art and UX design work for mobile games. Tailor your project selection and descriptions to highlight experience relevant to midcore and FPS genres, and demonstrate your understanding of player-centric design.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly list your proficiency with 2D design software (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma), your experience with mobile game UI/UX, and any quantifiable achievements or contributions to successful game titles. Use keywords found in the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly research Vertigo's games ("Critical Strike," "Polygun Arena") and industry trends. Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and how you would approach challenges specific to this role. Prepare specific examples for behavioral and technical questions.

• Company Research: Understand Vertigo's company culture, values (player-centric, ownership, curiosity, collaboration, focus), and recent developments. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate cultural fit during interviews.

⚠️ 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.