Are you a creative visionary with a passion for breathing life into digital beings and hyper-realistic environments? Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), the legendary visual effects house founded by George Lucas and a cornerstone of The Walt Disney Company, is seeking Texture Artists of all levels to join our elite London studio.
From the iconic micro-details of a Star Wars droid to the complex skin textures of a Marvel hero, our Texture Artists are the ones who bridge the gap between a gray 3D model and a living, breathing cinematic masterpiece. If you have a keen eye for the nuances of real-world materials and a drive to push the boundaries of photorealism, we want you on our team.
Employment Overview: Texture Artist
| Category | Details |
| Company Name | Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) / The Walt Disney Company |
| Job Title | Texture Artist (Junior, Mid, Senior, Lead) |
| Location | London, United Kingdom (Hybrid) |
| Work Mode | Hybrid (Minimum 2 days per week on-site in London) |
| Contract Type | Full-Time / Project-Based |
| Estimated Salary Range | £38,000 – £85,000+ (Commensurate with experience) |
| Primary Software | Mari, Substance Designer/Painter, Katana, Maya |
| Key Specialization | Organic Creatures, Digital Doubles, Hard-Surface Assets |
Salary & Compensation Structure
ILM provides competitive compensation packages designed to attract the industry’s top talent. Based on 2026 London VFX market benchmarks, the following table outlines the expected base salary ranges:
| Experience Level | Years of Experience | Estimated Annual Salary (GBP) |
| Junior Texture Artist | 0 – 3 Years | £38,000 – £46,000 |
| Mid-Level Texture Artist | 3 – 7 Years | £48,000 – £62,000 |
| Senior Texture Artist | 7 – 12 Years | £65,000 – £88,000 |
| Lead / Texture Supervisor | 12+ Years | £90,000 – £120,000+ |
Position Summary
As a Texture Artist at ILM, you are a master of surface storytelling. You will develop high-quality textures for 3D characters, digital doubles, and creatures, with a relentless focus on realism. Your work involves more than just “painting” surfaces; it requires a deep understanding of light interaction, material properties, and the technical constraints of a high-end film pipeline.
You will work within a cross-functional team, collaborating directly with Modelers to define surface topology and Look-Development TDs to ensure that your textures react predictably and beautifully under various lighting conditions.
What You’ll Do: Core Responsibilities
- Surface Realism: Develop intricate textures for organic creatures and humans, focusing on skin shaders, displacement, and fine-grain details that withstand 4K and 8K scrutiny.
- Versatility: Pivot between organic sculpting/painting and hard-surface environmental assets, ensuring consistent quality across all production needs.
- Hybrid Workflows: Utilize a blend of hand-painted artistry, procedural node-based workflows, and photogrammetry data to achieve the required look.
- Technical Integration: Ensure all assets are optimized for the ILM pipeline, maintaining clean node networks and efficient data management.
- Show Collaboration: Work under the guidance of Show Supervisors to iterate on artistic notes and refine the “visual language” of the project.
- Mentorship: For Senior and Lead levels, you will be expected to support Junior artists, refine studio best practices, and contribute to the evolution of our texturing toolsets.
What We’re Looking For: Qualifications
- Portfolio/Reel: A professional-grade showcase of photorealistic texture work. We want to see how you handle specular breakup, subsurface scattering, and complex weathered surfaces.
- Software Expertise: Mastery of Foundry Mari is essential. You should be comfortable working in a high-resolution, multi-tile (UDIM) environment.
- Procedural Proficiency: Experience with Substance Designer/Painter for non-destructive, procedural material creation.
- Data Processing: Familiarity with processing photogrammetry and scanned data to create base textures for digital doubles.
- Artistic Eye: Exceptional attention to visual detail, including an understanding of color theory, value, and real-world aging/wear patterns.
- Collaboration: A team-first attitude. VFX is a collaborative sport, and the ability to take and give constructive feedback is vital.
Preferred Technical Skills
- Proficiency in Katana and Nuke for look-development testing.
- Understanding of Python or scripting for workflow automation.
- Mastery of UV mapping principles and optimizing layouts for maximum texel density.
- Experience with industry-standard renderers (e.g., RenderMan, Arnold).
Industry & Diversity Statistics (London VFX Hub)
At ILM, we believe in transparency and the power of a diverse workforce. The London VFX industry has seen significant shifts in demographics over the last few years. According to recent 2025-2026 industry reports:
- Workforce Representation: The UK VFX sector currently comprises approximately 34% women in technical and creative roles, a figure ILM is actively working to increase through targeted mentorship.
- Global Diversity: Our London studio is a melting pot of talent, with over 45 different nationalities represented.
- Ethnic Diversity: Approximately 18-22% of the London VFX workforce identifies as belonging to an underrepresented racial or ethnic group. ILM (UK) Ltd. remains committed to an inclusive hiring process that removes bias and fosters equity.
About Industrial Light & Magic
Since 1975, ILM has been the gold standard for visual effects. Having contributed to 7 of the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time, our legacy is built on innovation. From the development of OpenEXR to the pioneering “Volume” technology (StageCraft), we continue to define the digital revolution. Joining ILM means contributing to a history that includes Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Disney Advantage
As part of The Walt Disney Company, ILM employees enjoy:
- Disney Parks Access: Complimentary admission to Disney theme parks worldwide.
- Streaming & Merch: Discounts on Disney+ and exclusive studio merchandise.
- Wellness: Comprehensive mental health support and fitness subsidies.
- Inclusive Culture: Participation in various Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to foster community and belonging.
How to Apply
To be considered, please submit the following:
1. Comprehensive Resume: Detailing your filmography and software expertise.
2. Demo Reel & Shot Breakdown: A link to your portfolio with a clear explanation of your specific contributions (e.g., “Responsible for all texture painting and displacement on creature X”).
ILM (UK) Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, nationality, or sexual orientation. We celebrate the unique perspectives that a diverse team brings to our storytelling.
