Junior Concept Artist | Atomhawk Design 2026

Atomhawk Design, a world-renowned creative production studio and a key division of Sumo Digital Ltd, is currently seeking a visionary Junior Environment Concept Artist to join our flagship studio in Newcastle. As the games industry’s “go-to” partner for high-end visual development, Atomhawk has spent the last 15 years defining the look of iconic franchises for titans like Warner Bros, Sony, Microsoft, EA, and Blizzard.

This is more than an entry-level role; it is an invitation to join a “flock” of elite creatives dedicated to pushing the boundaries of environmental storytelling. Whether you are crafting the gritty, battle-scarred arenas of Mortal Kombat or the sprawling, historically-faithful landscapes of Age of Empires, you will be at the forefront of AAA game development. At Atomhawk, we believe every day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve, supported by a culture that champions individual expression and collaborative excellence.

Job Overview: Junior Environment Concept Artist

Compensation and Benefits Structure

Atomhawk Design and Sumo Digital prioritize the financial and physical well-being of their artists through a “My Benefits” personalized package. This flexible system allows you to tailor your rewards to your specific life stage and goals.

Salary Table (Estimated Annual Rates)

The “My Benefits” Portfolio

• Financial Security: Salary sacrifice pension, tech and car loan schemes, workplace ISA, and a £1,000 employee referral bonus.

• Lifestyle & Balance: 21 days of annual leave + Bank Holidays + Birthday off + Christmas Shutdown (Christmas Eve to New Year). Options to buy/sell leave are also available.

• Health & Wellbeing: BUPA Private Healthcare, dental insurance, income protection, and life assurance. Access to remote GPs, mental health coaching, and physiotherapy.

• Professional Growth: 5 dedicated learning days per year, structured personal development plans, and regular appraisals.

• Studio Perks: Annual gaming subscriptions, life drawing sessions, game jams, yoga, and regular studio-led social activities.

Detailed Job Responsibilities

As a Junior Environment Concept Artist, your primary mission is to solve creative problems through innovative design. You will be involved in the full lifecycle of environment creation, from the first loose sketch to the final polished marketing piece.

1. Environment Design & Ideation

You will be responsible for creating immersive worlds that balance form and function. This involves understanding the “lore” of a game world and ensuring the environment tells a story. You will provide multiple creative options and iterations, showing how a space evolves based on gameplay needs and artistic direction.

2. Technical Execution

Utilizing a modern workflow, you will blend 2D and 3D techniques. You will use Blender to establish perspective, lighting, and composition, then use Photoshop to bring “soul” to the piece through color, texture, and mood. Familiarity with Unreal Engine is essential for understanding how your concepts will eventually be translated into playable 3D environments.

3. Mastering the Fundamentals

Your daily work will require a rigorous application of art fundamentals. You must demonstrate a strong grasp of:

• Composition: Leading the player’s eye through a scene.

• Lighting/Value: Establishing mood and focal points.

• Perspective: Creating a believable sense of depth and scale.

• Color Theory: Using palettes to evoke specific emotional responses.

4. Collaborative Problem Solving

Collaboration is the heart of Atomhawk Design. You will work closely with Seniors and Leads, taking constructive feedback and applying it fluidly to your work. You must be able to work to a brief, considering constraints such as timescales and technical limitations while still delivering high-quality results.

5. Time & Project Management

In a fast-paced agency environment, meeting deadlines is crucial. You will learn to manage your time effectively, ensuring that quality is maintained even when working on tight AAA production schedules.

Candidate Qualifications

We value talent and personality over formal degrees. If your portfolio is “eye-catching,” we want to see it.

• Artistic Talent: A portfolio that showcases both your final rendering quality and the “thinking” behind your designs (initial sketches, 3D block-outs).

• Software Fluency: Expert use of Photoshop and Blender is expected.

• Adaptability: The ability to switch between realistic and stylized art styles depending on the client’s needs.

• Cultural Fit: We are looking for innovative, collaborative thinkers who are eager to learn.

• Communication: Clear communication skills for internal team syncs and client briefings.

Inclusion, Belonging, and Industry Statistics

Atomhawk Design and Sumo Digital are dedicated to growing a sustainable, safe, and enriching environment. We believe that a diverse team creates better games.

PRISM and Diversity Initiatives

Atomhawk Design’s internal diversity group, PRISM, exists to promote equity and equality across the company. We actively encourage individuals from marginalized groups to apply. During our recruitment process, candidates are judged solely on their ability and portfolio—not on name, gender, ethnicity, religion, or age.

UK Games Industry Diversity Data (2024-2025 Estimates)

To provide context on our mission for a more inclusive industry, current statistics for the UK games sector show:

• Gender: Approximately 30% of the workforce identifies as female or non-binary, with companies like Sumo Digital actively working to increase this through targeted recruitment and mentorship.

• Ethnicity: People from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds represent roughly 15% of the UK games industry. Atomhawk is committed to exceeding these benchmarks by fostering an environment where all employees feel represented.

• Neurodiversity: The games industry has a high representation of neurodivergent individuals (estimated at 18-20%), and our hybrid working models are designed to support different cognitive styles and needs.

The Newcastle Studio Experience

Newcastle is one of the UK’s most vibrant tech hubs, offering a high quality of life with a lower cost of living compared to London. Our hybrid model (3 days in-studio) ensures you get the “face-to-face” creative energy of our award-winning studio space while maintaining the flexibility of home-working for your focused rendering days.

How to Apply

If you are ready to show us what you can bring to our “flock,” please prepare the following:

1. Portfolio: Include your most creative pieces, focusing on environment design. We want to see your process: sketches, 3D bases, and final polish.

2. Cover Letter: Tell us about your passion for concept design and why you want to work on AAA titles.

3. Application: Submit via the Atomhawk careers portal.