Look Development Artist - Modeling & Texturing

We're building a small, versatile Look Development team dedicated to exploring, defining, and refining the visual identity of our film. We move quickly, experiment often, and believe the best creative solutions come from talented artists who aren't afraid to step outside their specialties.

Job Summary

Swaybox Studios is seeking a talented and versatile Look Development Artist with a specialty in Modeling & Texturing to join our team.

This role focuses on creating and refining characters, environments, and other digital assets that help define the visual identity of our film. You'll work with a variety of source materials, including scan data, CAD files, reference imagery, and original designs, transforming them into polished, screen-ready assets.

We're looking for an artist with a strong understanding of shape language, form, and composition who can take ownership of an asset from initial development through final refinement.

While modeling will be your primary strength, this is a generalist position that values flexibility, artistic curiosity, and the ability to contribute across multiple areas of look development.

Key Responsibilities

• Create, develop, and refine high-quality 3D characters, environments, props, and other assets that support the visual direction of the film.
• Take ownership of digital assets, bringing them from initial concepts or source materials through screen-ready completion.
• Ingest, process, and refine 3D scan data, CAD files, and other existing geometry for use in the production pipeline.
• Build custom assets from scratch as needed, balancing artistic quality with technical requirements.
• Work closely with the Look Development team to explore shape language, form, composition, and surface characteristics.
• Support texturing, shading, and material development to help establish and refine the visual appearance of assets.
• Collaborate with lighting, compositing, and technical artists to ensure assets integrate effectively into scenes and environments.
• Troubleshoot modeling and asset-related challenges, developing creative and practical solutions.
• Incorporate creative direction and feedback through ongoing iteration and refinement.
• Contribute to additional look development tasks as needed to support the broader team and production goals.

Required Qualifications

• Professional experience in 3D modeling, asset development, look development, or a related CG/VFX discipline.
• Strong proficiency in 3D modeling software such as Maya, Blender, and/or Rhino.
• Familiarity with relevant production tools and workflows, including Substance, Arnold, and/or Unreal Engine.
• Strong understanding of shape language, form, proportion, scale, and composition.
• Experience creating and refining digital assets from reference materials, concept art, or existing geometry.
• Ability to work with scan data, CAD files, and assets requiring cleanup, modification, or optimization.
• Strong artistic judgment and attention to detail, with the ability to produce visually compelling, screen-ready work.
• Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing artistic and technical needs.
• A collaborative, hands-on mindset and willingness to work beyond your primary specialty when needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong texturing, shading, and material development skills.
• Experience using Substance or comparable texturing applications.
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine and real-time asset workflows.
• Experience with photogrammetry, digital scanning, or CAD-to-CG workflows.
• Understanding of lighting and rendering principles as they relate to asset development.
• Experience working on productions combining practical and digital assets.
• Ability to work across multiple software packages and adapt to new tools and workflows.