2D game artists shape the visual identity of games across platforms by designing characters, environments, and UI elements that engage players and enhance storytelling. By blending artistic vision with technical skill, these professionals deliver production-ready assets that support smooth collaboration with developers and studios.
What does a 2D game artist do?
A 2D game artist creates visual assets for video games using software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma. They develop sprites, backgrounds, icons, UI elements, and 2D characters that bring gameplay to life. Many specialize in specific art styles like pixel art or stylized fantasy, and may contribute to concept art or visual effects (VFX).
Common roles include character artists who specialize in character design and animation, environment artists who build backgrounds and game worlds, UI artists who design menus and HUDs, concept artists who create mood boards, and 2D generalists who handle a mix of props, UI, and character art.
Game studios, indie developers, and startups often hire 2D artists alongside 2D game developers for both full-time roles and freelance engagements.
How to hire a 2D game artist on Upwork
Finding the right 2D artist for your project on Upwork is simple, with many skilled candidates available to meet your timeline and budget needs. To streamline your hiring process, just follow these four simple steps.
Step 1: Craft a targeted job post
Your job post serves as your project’s first impression for potential candidates and directly influences the quality of applicants you receive. In your post:
- Explain your project scope, deliverables, and preferred art style
- Describe your game's genre, gameplay style, and platform
- List deliverables including game assets, animations, sprites, or characters needed
- Specify tools and file formats you prefer
To create a tailored job post quickly, try the Job Post Generator powered by Uma™, Upwork’s Mindful AI. Describe what you need in a few sentences, and Uma will craft a job post in seconds. You can also review job description templates for ideas and inspiration.
Step 2: Filter and evaluate candidates
As you begin to receive proposals, evaluating them systematically can help you quickly narrow the field to a few choice candidates.
- Have Uma give instant video interviews and side-by-side comparisons
- Use Upwork’s filters to find candidates by rate, location, and experience
- Review proposals for signs that the candidate has understood your job post and has the skills to meet your needs
- Look through portfolios for past work on video games, mobile games, or concept art that matches your game’s visual identity
Step 3: Interview your top choices
Quick video interviews give you the chance to ask any questions you have left for your top candidates, and to get a feel for what a collaboration with them might be like.
- Schedule and conduct interviews within Upwork messaging to get instant transcripts and summaries from Uma
- Ask the candidates to walk you through past work from their portfolio, focusing on aspects that are similar to your project and challenges they overcame
- Talk about workflows, version control, and revisions
- Discuss collaboration with your art director or developers
If you’re unfamiliar with interviewing or hiring independent talent, you can review common interview questions for freelancers to help your conversations stay focused and be productive.
Step 4: Agree on scope and begin work
Once you’ve found the right fit, you can send a contract directly through the Upwork marketplace. A solid contract protects both parties and helps collaborations be successful from beginning to end.
- Use Upwork's contract workroom, messaging, and payment protection for secure collaboration
- Choose fixed-price contracts for projects with clear deliverables, such as simple background elements and props for a relatively small game
- Break large projects into milestones, such as for different character animations and movement styles, or for each level of a larger game
- Choose hourly contracts for ongoing work or projects without clear deliverables, such as continuous asset creation or art for seasonal events
Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.
The rates and information provided in this article are based on current data and industry sources available at the time of publication. Freelance rates can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, project scope, and market conditions. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research to confirm current rates and trends, as this information may change over time.