Junior Games Artist

The School of Computing and Mathematics, in partnership with the National Football Museum, is seeking a creative and enthusiastic Junior Game Artist to contribute to an exciting educational game project.

In this role, you will create visual assets for a top-down 2D game that explores the importance of rules in modern football. The game aims to help players of all backgrounds understand how rules influence gameplay, enjoyment, and fairness, while fostering a greater appreciation for football officiating.

The finished game will form part of the National Football Museum's "Rules are for Losers" exhibition, launching in early 2027.

• Design and create 2D game assets for integration into the game engine.
• Contribute to the visual development of the project and help establish its artistic direction.
• Work to a defined project specification while bringing your own creative ideas and solutions.
• Refine and adapt artwork throughout the development process based on feedback and testing.
• Collaborate with the game development team, academic staff, and museum stakeholders.
• Attend regular project meetings and provide updates on progress.
• Visit the National Football Museum to support design decisions and ensure the game's visual style aligns with the project's objectives.

You will be supervised by Dr John Henry and Jimmy Mullin, with regular opportunities to engage directly with stakeholders from the National Football Museum.

This is an excellent opportunity to:

• Build a professional portfolio through a real-world project.
• Gain practical experience in game art and asset creation.
• Work alongside industry and cultural sector partners.
• Develop skills in creative design, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery.
• Contribute to a museum exhibition that will be experienced by a wide public audience.

Dates: 30 November 2026 – 12 March 2027
Hours: 5 hours per week

Successful applicants will be expected to attend a project briefing at the National Football Museum, Manchester. The provisional date and time is Friday 4 December 2026 at 11:00am.

This role is only open to current Manchester Met students who meet the following criteria:

You should be studying a games design, games art, or related subject, or be able to demonstrate equivalent skills through a portfolio and practical assessment. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• The ability to work effectively to project deadlines.
• Strong self-management skills and the ability to work independently.
• Experience creating artwork for 2D games, including pixel art and sprite-based assets.
• A strong game art portfolio showcasing a range of projects, styles, and playable game assets.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Creativity and adaptability, with the ability to work across different 2D art styles as the project's visual direction evolves.
• A willingness to develop artwork iteratively, responding positively to feedback and project requirements.

This opportunity would particularly suit a student looking to gain practical experience delivering artwork for a real-world game development project while building a professional portfolio and working with external stakeholders.