UI Artiste Senior/ Senior UI Artist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Artist

Company: People Can Fly

Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Game Development - UI/UX Art

Date Posted: 2025-09-12

Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years implied)

Remote Status: Hybrid; Remote OK for specific locations (Poland, UK, Ireland, US, Canada)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the artistic direction and visual quality of user interface (UI) elements for AAA game titles, ensuring alignment with the project's immersive universe and strategic vision.

• Develop high-fidelity, technically optimized, and aesthetically consistent UI assets that enhance player engagement and streamline user experience across diverse game genres and platforms.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including UX designers, game designers, and producers, to translate wireframes into polished, functional interfaces and maintain consistent visual language throughout the development lifecycle.

• Champion best practices in UI/UX design, accessibility, and documentation, contributing to scalable asset libraries, style guides, and knowledge base improvements for enhanced team productivity and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role of Senior UI Artist in AAA game development is critical for establishing the visual language and user flow of interactive experiences. This position requires not only artistic talent but also a deep understanding of technical constraints, player psychology, and collaborative workflows common in fast-paced game studios. The emphasis on AAA title delivery suggests a need for proven experience in high-production-value environments.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Maintain and elevate the artistic direction and visual quality of UI assets, ensuring they are technically sound and aesthetically aligned with the game's established universe and overall vision.

• Produce high-quality UI art assets, including static and dynamic elements, that effectively convey information and facilitate player actions, contributing to an intuitive and engaging user experience.

• Translate UX wireframes and design concepts into polished, game-ready UI assets, adhering to technical specifications and project deadlines throughout the production pipeline.

• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for the UI's visual language, encompassing color theory, typography, iconography, visual hierarchy, and motion design principles, from initial concept to final implementation and iteration.

• Support bug fixing efforts related to UI elements and contribute to the internal knowledge base by documenting research and development (R&D) case studies.

• Actively participate in design and art reviews, professionally adapting to and implementing feedback from leads and peers to refine visual quality and user interface effectiveness.

• Provide constructive feedback to peers and leads to collaboratively improve the overall visual quality and user experience of the UI.

• Engage in knowledge sharing across various teams and departments to foster a collaborative and informed development environment.

• Collaborate closely with UX designers, game designers, producers, and other key stakeholders to plan, prioritize, and refine the visual aesthetics of both new and existing UI content.

• Develop and maintain project-specific style guides and high-fidelity asset libraries to ensure UI consistency, scalability, and to improve productivity and collaboration through shared resources.

• Participate in R&D initiatives to explore new techniques and implement improvements to existing pipelines and workflows, driving innovation in UI art production.

• Occasionally assist with recruitment efforts by supporting the onboarding process for new team members, particularly within the art department.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of artistic creation, technical implementation, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration. The emphasis on "high-quality UI art," "technically optimized," and "aesthetically consistent" points to a need for both artistic flair and a grounded understanding of game engine limitations and UI best practices. The requirement to maintain documentation and style guides is crucial for team consistency and scalability in a AAA production environment.

🎓 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 required skills.

Experience: Minimum of one AAA title shipped, with a strong portfolio demonstrating extensive UI design expertise.

Required Skills:

• A robust portfolio showcasing significant UI design expertise and a proven track record of delivering high-quality visual interfaces for games.

• Demonstrated experience working on and shipping at least one AAA video game title.

• A deep understanding of foundational art and design principles, including shape, form, texture, value, color theory, typography, and layout composition.

• Comprehensive knowledge of UI/UX principles and conventions, with the ability to apply them effectively to create intuitive and engaging player experiences.

• Proficiency in implementing accessibility best practices within UI design, considering elements such as color contrast, scale, typography, and overall visual clarity.

• Advanced proficiency with Figma and other industry-standard wireframing and prototyping tools for UI concept development and iteration.

• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator) for asset creation and manipulation.

• Excellent knowledge of industry-standard software packages used for high-poly sculpting and modeling, suggesting potential integration of 3D elements into UI.

• Proven understanding of UI design requirements across various game genres (e.g., FPS, RPG, action-adventure) and platforms (PC, console, mobile).

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, essential for effective collaboration and feedback.

• High degree of self-motivation, adaptability, and a willingness to learn and implement new tools, styles, and workflows.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience working with Maya for asset creation or integration.

• Familiarity with Lua scripting and its application within UI systems for dynamic functionality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications list is comprehensive, emphasizing both artistic and technical proficiencies. The requirement for "at least one AAA title shipped" is a significant filter for candidates. The explicit mention of Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and industry-standard modeling/sculpting software highlights the technical tools essential for this role. The preferred skills in Maya and Lua scripting suggest potential opportunities for candidates with broader technical capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A diverse portfolio demonstrating a range of UI design projects, showcasing adaptability across different game genres and visual styles.

• Clear examples of UI asset creation, from initial concept sketches and wireframes to polished, game-ready assets, illustrating the end-to-end production process.

• Case studies or project breakdowns that highlight the candidate's problem-solving approach to UI challenges, including how they addressed specific design requirements or technical constraints.

• Demonstrations of understanding and application of UI/UX principles, including information architecture, navigation design, and user flow optimization.

• Evidence of adherence to accessibility best practices in UI design, such as appropriate color contrast ratios, readable typography, and scalable interface elements.

Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should ideally include examples of process documentation related to UI development, such as style guides, asset pipeline explanations, or style guides for specific UI elements (e.g., buttons, icons, menus).

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal workflow and how they manage the creation and iteration of UI assets within a larger development pipeline.

• Documentation of R&D efforts or case studies related to UI optimization or new techniques is highly valued, as mentioned in the responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UI Artist role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing final assets; it should demonstrate the candidate's thought process, understanding of the UI/UX lifecycle, and ability to document and standardize their work. The inclusion of AAA title experience in the portfolio is a strong indicator of suitability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for Senior UI Artists in Montreal, Quebec, with AAA game development experience, a competitive annual salary range is estimated between CAD $80,000 to $110,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Montreal, the specific demands of AAA game development, and the senior level of the position.

Benefits:

• Benefit package 100% paid by PCF, including insurance that reimburses 100% of claims up to $500 per service annually, plus individual/family coverage.

• Full dental coverage, including major dental and orthodontics.

• 4% RRSP matching before tax deductions, with 100% vesting on day 1.

• A paid week off during Winter Holidays.

• 20 paid vacation days and 5 paid sick days.

• Free virtual health and mental wellbeing sessions included in the plan for members and their dependents.

• A competitive salary and performance-based annual bonuses.

• Personal development opportunities and the ability to work in a global environment.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, typical for full-time employment in the industry, with potential for overtime during crunch periods common in game development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on market data for senior-level creative roles in the Canadian tech and gaming sector, specifically in Montreal which has a strong game development presence. The benefits package is quite comprehensive, indicating a company that invests in employee well-being and long-term financial security.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: AAA Video Game Development. People Can Fly is a prominent independent studio known for its work in the shooter genre, utilizing Unreal Engine extensively.

Company Size: Hundreds of individuals across multiple international offices (Poland, UK, Ireland, US, Canada) and remote locations. This suggests a structured but globally distributed organization.

Founded: 2002. With over 20 years of experience, PCF has a deep history and established reputation in the gaming industry, known for titles like Painkiller, Bulletstorm, and Outriders.

Team Structure:

• The UI Art team likely operates within a larger Art Department, collaborating closely with UX Design, Game Design, and Production teams.

• Reporting structure typically involves a Lead UI Artist or Art Director, with senior members mentoring junior artists.

Methodology:

• Data-driven design is implied through the mention of UX principles and user experience.

• Workflow planning and optimization are evident in the need for documentation, style guides, and R&D for pipelines.

• Automation and efficiency practices are encouraged through R&D initiatives and the creation of shared asset libraries.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: People Can Fly's established history and multiple AAA titles suggest a professional and structured development environment with a focus on quality and innovation. The mention of multiple international offices and remote work options indicates a modern, globally-minded company culture that values talent regardless of location.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior level within the UI Art discipline. It signifies a significant level of autonomy, responsibility for guiding artistic direction, and the expectation to mentor or guide less experienced team members. A Senior UI Artist is expected to be a subject matter expert in their field.

Reporting Structure: Typically, a Senior UI Artist reports to a Lead UI Artist, Art Director, or potentially a Creative Director, depending on the studio's organizational structure. They will also collaborate extensively with Project Managers/Producers, UX Designers, and Game Designers.

Operations Impact: Senior UI Artists have a direct impact on the player's experience and the overall polish of a game. Their work influences player perception, engagement, and the ability of players to navigate and interact with the game world. High-quality UI can significantly contribute to a game's perceived quality and commercial success, impacting revenue and player retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of UI art, such as motion graphics, iconography, or technical UI implementation.

• Leadership: Progression to Lead UI Artist or Art Director roles, managing teams and setting artistic vision.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to other art disciplines, game design, and technical aspects of game development, fostering a broader understanding of the production pipeline.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior artists, developing leadership and communication skills.

• Project Diversity: Potential to work on a variety of AAA titles, including original IPs and established franchises like Gears of War, offering diverse creative challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior title implies a pathway to leadership and mentorship. The company's diverse project portfolio (Gears of War: E-Day, Project Echo, Lost Rift) offers significant opportunities for skill diversification and career progression within a well-established studio.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: People Can Fly has physical offices in Poland, the UK, Ireland, the US, and Canada. The Montreal office likely offers a modern creative workspace conducive to collaboration.

Office Location(s): 405 Avenue Ogilvy, Montréal, Québec, H3N 1M3, Canada. This location in Montreal places the studio within a vibrant hub for the gaming and technology industries.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with dedicated areas for art teams to share ideas and provide feedback.

• Access to industry-standard hardware and software, including powerful workstations for running demanding applications like Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and potentially 3D modeling software.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with multidisciplinary teams (Game Design, UX, Programming) are abundant, facilitating efficient communication and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: While the standard is 40 hours per week, the gaming industry is known for periods of intense work ("crunch") leading up to deadlines. The company offers generous paid time off and a winter holiday break, suggesting an effort to balance demanding production cycles with employee well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Montreal location is a significant advantage, placing the candidate in a major North American gaming hub. The emphasis on collaboration and access to technology is standard for AAA development, but the concrete benefits listed indicate a supportive work environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Resume and portfolio review by HR and/or a Lead Artist to assess qualifications and fit.

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: A detailed discussion of the candidate's portfolio, focusing on their process, problem-solving skills, technical proficiency, and artistic vision. This may involve live screen sharing or a dedicated presentation.

• Art Test/Challenge: Candidates may be asked to complete a small UI art assignment to evaluate their skills in a practical context, testing their ability to adhere to a given brief and style.

• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with potential team members (UX Designers, Game Designers, Producers, other Artists) to assess collaboration skills, communication, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior leadership (Art Director, Studio Head) for final approval, focusing on strategic alignment and long-term contribution.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or chronology. Clearly label each piece with the project name, your role, and the tools/technologies used.

• Showcase Process: Don't just show final assets. Include wireframes, sketches, iterations, and explanations of your design decisions and problem-solving approaches. This is crucial for a senior role.

• Highlight AAA Experience: Clearly indicate which projects were AAA titles and your specific contributions.

• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Show examples of UI elements that were implemented in-engine or discuss your experience with technical integration.

• Accessibility Focus: Include examples where you've explicitly considered and implemented accessibility best practices.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio efficiently, highlighting the most relevant pieces for the role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read any art test instructions, paying attention to style, technical requirements, and deadlines.

• Prioritize: Focus on delivering key elements requested in the brief, rather than trying to complete an overly ambitious project.

• Clean Presentation: Ensure your submission is well-organized and easy to review.

• Articulate Your Process: Be ready to explain the decisions you made during the challenge, similar to how you would present your portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Senior UI Artist is rigorous, focusing heavily on the portfolio as concrete proof of skill and experience. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design philosophy, problem-solving methods, and collaborative approach. The potential for an art test underscores the practical, hands-on nature of the role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Explicitly mentioned as a required tool for wireframing and prototyping, indicating its central role in the UI design workflow.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for asset creation and manipulation, likely including Photoshop for raster graphics and Illustrator for vector assets and icons.

• Industry-Standard Modeling/Sculpting Software: Mentioned as required, suggesting tools like Maya, Blender, or ZBrush might be used for creating 3D elements or high-poly assets that are then optimized for UI integration.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the UI Artist role, but understanding how UI assets are managed within production pipelines (e.g., version control, asset management systems) is important.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technical stack is heavily focused on design and asset creation tools. Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The mention of modeling/sculpting software suggests that UI elements might incorporate 3D assets or require an understanding of 3D workflows for asset creation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Excellence: A strong emphasis on maintaining high artistic direction and visual quality, reflecting a commitment to producing polished AAA experiences.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: The role requires close collaboration with multiple departments, highlighting the value placed on teamwork and shared success.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Participation in R&D initiatives and exploration of new techniques suggests a culture that encourages learning and pushing boundaries.

• Professionalism & Adaptability: The expectation to professionally adapt to feedback and new workflows points to a culture that values growth and resilience.

• Passion for Gaming: Working in a game studio typically implies a shared passion for video games among team members, fostering a motivated and engaged work environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: UI Artists are expected to work seamlessly with UX Designers, Game Designers, Producers, and Engineers, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Feedback-Driven: The culture encourages constructive feedback exchange, with team members expected to both provide and receive input to enhance the product.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively sharing knowledge and best practices is valued, promoting collective growth and efficiency within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values seem to align with a professional, creative, and collaborative environment typical of successful game development studios. The emphasis on quality, continuous improvement, and teamwork is critical for the success of complex AAA projects.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Artistic Consistency: Ensuring that UI elements remain consistent in style and quality across a vast game world and numerous features can be challenging.

• Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality: Creating visually appealing interfaces that are also highly functional, intuitive, and technically feasible requires constant negotiation between art and design/engineering.

• Adapting to Iterative Design: Game development is highly iterative; UI artists must be prepared to make frequent changes based on feedback and evolving game mechanics.

• Meeting AAA Production Demands: The high standards and tight deadlines of AAA game development can present significant pressure.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunity to master advanced UI design techniques, explore motion graphics, and gain experience with new tools and technologies.

• Industry Exposure: Working on multiple AAA titles provides exposure to diverse development methodologies and industry best practices.

• Mentorship & Leadership: As a senior role, there's a clear path to mentor junior artists and potentially move into leadership positions.

• Cross-Disciplinary Insight: Gaining a deeper understanding of game design, programming, and player psychology through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to senior-level creative roles in game development. The growth opportunities are substantial, positioning this role as a key step for career advancement within the gaming industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• UI Design Philosophy: Be prepared to articulate your approach to creating user interfaces, discussing how you balance aesthetics, usability, and technical constraints.

• AAA Project Experience: Detail your contributions to shipped AAA titles. Discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, focusing on UI aspects.

• Collaboration and Feedback: Describe how you collaborate with UX designers, game designers, and programmers. Provide examples of how you've given and received feedback effectively.

• Problem-Solving: Prepare examples of complex UI problems you've solved, detailing your thought process and the outcome.

• Accessibility in UI: Discuss your understanding and application of accessibility principles in UI design.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Company Knowledge: Research People Can Fly's past projects, their current titles (Gears of War: E-Day, Project Echo, Lost Rift), and their philosophy on game development.

• Team Fit: Consider how your working style and values align with the company's culture, particularly regarding collaboration, innovation, and quality.

• Motivation: Articulate why you are specifically interested in People Can Fly and this Senior UI Artist role.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative: Structure your portfolio presentation around storytelling. For each project, explain the context, your role, the challenges, your process, and the final outcome.

• Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your presentation showcases your proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, your understanding of UI/UX principles, and your AAA experience.

• Technical Details: Be ready to discuss the technical aspects of your UI work, including optimization and potential integration challenges.

• Conciseness: Practice delivering your presentation efficiently, focusing on the most impactful examples relevant to the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only artistic skill but also a deep understanding of the game development process, strong problem-solving abilities, and excellent communication and collaboration skills, all supported by a robust portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UI Artist position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your AAA experience and specific UI art skills relevant to People Can Fly's portfolio (shooter genre, Unreal Engine).

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your shipped AAA titles and quantify your achievements where possible (e.g., "improved UI navigation efficiency by X%"). Use keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Walkthrough Practice: Prepare a concise and compelling walkthrough of your portfolio, ready to present during an interview. Focus on demonstrating your process, problem-solving, and collaboration.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research People Can Fly's games, studio culture, and current projects to articulate your interest and fit during interviews. Understand their approach to UI and player experience.

⚠️ 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.