Overview:
We’re seeking a talented 2D Artist and Animator to lead all visual aspects of Bird Sorters: Frenzy!, a hyper-casual mobile game. You’ll work solo on the art, collaborating with two programmers who will implement the work into gameplay within Unity. Define the look of a playful bird-sorting game with a Tetris-inspired twist, featuring vibrant themes and a hand-painted aesthetic inspired by Elpidio Valdés.
Project Description:
“Sort your flock of birds in a throwback Tetris style with fresh sorting twists!” The game blends intuitive gameplay with whimsical visuals across four thematic sets: Lush Forest, Sakura Garden, Underwater Oasis, and Candyland.
Scope:
- Bird Sets: Design and animate 12 unique birds per set (48 total across 4 sets), starting with 1 high-quality default set for alpha.
- Backgrounds & Branch Sets: Create 4 backgrounds (1080x1920) and 4 branch sets (16 branches total), starting with 1 default set for alpha.
- UI: Develop all UI elements, including icons, menus, and screens (e.g., Main Menu, Shop, Daily Rewards).
- Timeline: Complete alpha deliverables (1 set) within 2-3 months from contract start; final deliverables (3 sets) within 3-4 months, after set #1.
Deliverables:
- Bird Sets:
- Resolution: 512x512 pixels per bird.
- Animations: Idle (subtle life-like movements) and Flying (dynamic wing flapping).
- Files: Layered, optimized for Spine/Unity 2D export.
- Design: Unique silhouettes, sizes, and colors; hand-painted style inspired by Elpidio Valdés.
- Backgrounds & Branch Sets:
- Resolution: 1080x1920 (9:16) for backgrounds; branches at 512x512.
- Background Layers (for in-engine animation): e.g., sunshafts, fireflies, falling leaves, bubbles.
- Branch Animations: Prepared for Spine/Unity 2D.
- Design: Colorful yet gameplay-friendly; consistent hand-painted aesthetic.
- UI Elements:
- Icons: Splash/App (512x512), Feature Graphic (1024x500), Ability Icons (Shuffle, New Branch, Undo), Gold Icon, Theme Icons (16 total).
- Screens: Loading, Main Menu, Shop, Daily Rewards (Tree of Fortune), Subscription, Settings, Gameplay, Completion, Reward, Info Popup.
- Specs: Designed for 16:9 (1080x1920), 9-sliced where possible, PSDs provided.
- Design: Hand-painted feel, using fonts Playwrite CU and Sniglet.
Thematic Guidelines:
- Lush Forest: Earthy tones, vibrant accents, magical serenity (trees, moss, fireflies).
- Sakura Garden: Soft pinks, pastels, elegant peace (cherry blossoms, streams, lanterns).
- Underwater Oasis: Bright aquatics, whimsical calm (coral, fish, bubbles).
- Candyland: Playful pastels, fantastical candy elements (gumdrops, chocolate rivers).
Requirements:
- Proven experience in 2D art and animation for mobile games (portfolio required).
- Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, Spine, or similar tools for art and animation.
- Ability to work independently, delivering a cohesive style across all assets.
- Strong understanding of color, composition, and motion for hyper-casual appeal.
- Bonus: Experience with hand-painted styles or Unity 2D optimization.
Details:
- Type: Contract
- Location: Remote
- Compensation: (negotiable based on experience)
- $250 upon completion of the first sets for Alpha
- $150 upon completion of the final 3 sets for Beta + 5% royalty on net profits
- Start Date: Immediate
- Deadline: Alpha deliverables (1 set) due within 2-3 months. Final deliverables (3 sets) due within 3-4 months, after set #1.
How to Apply:
Submit your resume, a link to your portfolio (featuring 2D game art, animations, and UI), and a brief note about your interest in this project to armi.sam99@gmail.com. Highlight any experience with hand-painted styles or mobile games. We’re open to negotiating compensation based on your skills.
Why Join Us?
We’re a group of developers aiming to expand our portfolios with published, monetized projects. This volunteer-driven effort guides students through the mobile game development cycle, with the goal of creating something marketable and revenue-generating. Join us for a perpetual royalty split and the chance to showcase your work!