Environment and FX Artist

Location: Chennai, India (On-site Only)

Department: Animation & VFX

Company: Pepi Digital

About Pepi Digital

Pepi Digital is a new-gen creative studio specializing in hyper-realistic 3D animation, immersive storytelling, and advanced visual effects. We are currently working on large-scale projects, including OTT series, branded content, and cinematic storytelling for global audiences. Our mission is to push the boundaries of design and technology while creating impactful visual narratives.

Role Overview

We are seeking a talented Environment & FX Artist to join our team in Chennai. The ideal candidate will be responsible for creating detailed environments, landscapes, architectural assets, and high-quality visual effects that bring our 3D worlds to life.

This is a full-time, on-site role. We will only consider applicants who are based in Chennai or are willing to relocate.

Key Responsibilities

Environment Creation

• Design, model, texture, and light 3D environments including landscapes, cities, architecture, and ecosystems.
• Work from concept art to develop immersive and authentic 3D settings.
• Ensure assets are optimized for rendering while maintaining high quality.

FX Development

• Create realistic and stylized FX simulations such as fire, smoke, water, dust, explosions, weather, and atmospheric effects.
• Use procedural techniques and simulations in Houdini, Maya, or equivalent tools.
• Ensure FX integrate naturally with the environment and character animation.

Integration & Collaboration

• Work closely with the animation, lighting, and compositing teams to achieve seamless integration of FX and environments in final scenes.
• Collaborate with directors and concept artists to align with the creative vision.
• Troubleshoot rendering and simulation challenges.

Pipeline & Workflow

• Follow and contribute to production workflows and pipelines.
• Suggest improvements for FX and environment creation efficiency.
• Stay updated with new tools, plugins, and industry best practices.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Education: Degree/Diploma in Animation, VFX, Game Design, Fine Arts, or related field.
• Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in environment and FX creation for films, OTT content, or games.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in UnrealEngine, Houdini, or Cinema 4D.
• Strong texturing and shading skills (Substance Painter/Designer).
• Good knowledge of Arnold, Redshift render engines.
• Basic compositing knowledge in Davinci or After Effects.

Artistic Skills:

• Strong eye for composition, lighting, and atmosphere.
• Ability to create both realistic and stylized environments.

Soft Skills:

• Strong problem-solving ability and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and teamwork.
• Ability to handle feedback and work within deadlines.

Nice to Have

• Experience in real-time FX for games or virtual production.
• Knowledge of procedural world-building tools.
• Basic scripting (Python, MEL, VEX) for automation and FX setups.
• Previous work in historical or cultural projects.