Technical Artists
- Serve as a bridge between the art and programming teams.
- Optimize workflows, troubleshoot issues, and develop custom tools.
- Require knowledge of both visual design and scripting (e.g., Python, HLSL, GLSL).
- Shader development and visual scripting.
- Asset optimization for memory and performance.
- Rigging tools and procedural pipelines.
- Integrating art assets into game engines efficiently.
VFX Artists
- Create dynamic visual effects: explosions, fire, weather, magic, etc.
- Use particle systems, sprite sheets, flipbooks, and custom shaders.
- Balance performance with visual fidelity.
Material & Shader Specialists
- Develop materials that react to light, physics, or gameplay conditions.
- Use node-based systems (e.g., Unreal Material Editor, Unity Shader Graph).
- Understand PBR workflows and texture mapping.
Lighting Artists
- Establish the visual tone and readability of environments.
- Use real-time and baked lighting techniques.
- Collaborate closely with level designers and environment artists.
Animation Technical Directors (TDs)
- Work with animators and engineers to ensure rig compatibility and animation blending.
- Implement state machines, IK/FK systems, and transitions.
- Write scripts and tools for animation workflows.
In many studios, technical artists are considered indispensable. They enable the rest of the team to work faster and more effectively.