About the role
Role Overview
Join the Art team on Europa Universalis V as a hands-on 2D/UI artist, creating UI elements, icons, art assets, and illustrations, and implementing them in the game. Act as the bridge between UX and the 2D art team, turning wireframes and design intent into UI that looks great, stays consistent in style, and is easy for the player to understand. Ship updates on a regular cadence, working on a steady flow of content rather than one big asset at a time. Work closely with the Managing Art Lead, Content Design, and UI, with a real say in how the game looks and feels.
What You Will Do
- Create 2D art for Europa Universalis V across the game: illustrations, icons, UI elements, and other art assets, and implement them in the game.
- Work with Content Design, UI, and the other artists to understand each request and find the right visual solution for the player, without needing it spelled out step by step.
- Take ownership of your work from brief to build: spot problems early, make the call, and move on.
- Bring your own ideas and initiatives forward to make the art clearer, the pipeline faster, or the game look better.
- Keep the art consistent in style, readable, and accessible, with a meticulous eye for detail and high-quality artwork.
- Follow the established art direction and style guides, and raise it when something is not working.
- Take feedback from the Managing Art Lead and your peers, and give it back.
What You Will Need
- Professional experience as a 2D or UI artist, ideally 3+ years in games, with a strong portfolio to show it.
- Great knowledge of digital painting software such as Photoshop.
- Strong 2D art fundamentals: composition, lighting, material expression, and colour, with the ability to match an existing style.
- Familiarity with scripting and UI implementation, and a technical problem-solving mindset.
- An understanding of UX principles and the ability to work closely with designers to create the best possible player experience.
- Practical use of AI-assisted tools when scripting, or a genuine appetite to learn them.
- A friendly, helpful, and collaborative mindset in a team environment.
- Clear, direct communication in English, written and spoken.
Things to Elevate Your Application
- Paradox grand strategy experience, Europa Universalis especially. Genuine interest in the genre matters more than logged hours.
- Passion for history, historical research, and period-accurate art.
- Experience on a live title with a recurring update cadence.
The Studio
Paradox Tinto was founded in 2020 by a small and dedicated team of industry veterans led by Johan Andersson. Building on experience from Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studio, the studio develops Europa Universalis V, the latest entry in the grand strategy franchise that started more than twenty-five years ago.
The Team
- Work in a small, gameplay-focused team where everyone is part of crafting the player experience and has input on the design of the game.
- Enjoy a relaxed, stress-free atmosphere focused on fun game development.
- Contribute to the development of the studio and its culture as part of a small studio built from the ground up.
- Work with accessible, experienced managers who lead and care about team members.
- Interact directly with players through social media, the forum, and via streams.
- Benefit from a strong focus on work/life balance, where development plans do not rely on crunch and overtime is relatively uncommon and not encouraged.
The Location
- Office Location: Sitges, Barcelona (Spain), 300m from one of the beaches of Sitges.
- Surroundings: Well connected by public transport and within walking distance of restaurants, bars, pharmacies, supermarkets, shops, and hotels.
- Accessibility: Barely 20 minutes by car or bus from El Prat, Barcelona's international airport.
- Environment: Features 17 beaches along the Costa del Garraf, an average of 300 days of sun a year, and proximity to the Pyrenees (two-hour drive) for mountain lovers, alongside cultural events, Mediterranean food, and Spanish wine.
Benefits
- 25 working days of vacation per year (23 per the collective agreement, plus 2 extra).
- Private health insurance.
- Wellhub subscription: gym access and digital wellbeing apps.
- A private gym at the office, plus optional free yoga and HIIT sessions.
- Cobee by Pluxee flexible compensation, allowing allocation of gross salary to meals or public transport.
- Free access to the full Paradox catalogue on Steam, over 100 games.
- Healthy snacks and soft drinks, a private garden, and regular team activities.
Practical Information
- Scope: Full-time and permanent.
- Location: Sitges, Barcelona (Spain).
- WFH/WFO: 100% onsite.
- Reports to: Managing Art Lead.