As a Concept Art Intern at Riot you will bring characters and creatures to life. Drawing inspiration from as little as a napkin sketch or as much as a full-blown narrative concept, you will generate ideas and craft designs that are resonant, compelling and iconic. As a problem solver, first and foremost, you will help come up with visual solutions for game concepts. 

As a Concept Artist Intern on the Teamfight Tactics Gameplay team, you’ll work closely with other developers to design creatures, props, and visual effects that enhance the game’s narrative and visual cohesion. You will collaborate across disciplines to ensure assets are implemented effectively, creatively solve design challenges and contribute feedback throughout production, helping shape assets that are both visually compelling and aligned with the game's artistic direction.

Responsibilities:

• Sketch, ideate, and iterate concepts of creatures, props and VFX in collaboration with other developers
• Develop detailed concept art and orthographs for 3D artists and animators to implement into working game assets
• Creatively problem solve and figure out efficient solutions on executing the look and feel of the creatures, props and VFX
• Collaborate closely with other disciplines to define concepts that are both narrative and visually cohesive
• Support other disciplines throughout the production process with the implementation of the concepts, including giving feedback and paintovers
• Take your knowledge of story tropes, archetypes, and narrative devices of all kinds to help improve the designs that go into our worlds
• Bring your understanding of human and animal anatomy and know how to stretch the limits while still maintaining a consistent art direction

Required Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in a college, university or non degree program
• Graduating in the 2028 calendar year
• Available to work full-time hours for the 12 week internship duration
• Experience working with Photoshop or other relevant painting/design tools
• Ability to showcase iterations and sketches in addition to the final rendered pieces. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Proficient in Photoshop and painting/design tools
• Demonstrated ability to digitally paint volumetric form and material differentiation in an isometric and orthographic view
• Understanding of colors and value structure
• Experience creating designs using inspiration from historical, fantasy, scifi, mainstream trends, and/or pop culture references
• Great understanding designing characters reading in an isometric view
• Inclusion of references, notes, studies, different angles, how a player interacts with a character or place, and why design choices have been made

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this could be your role!

Work Authorization

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of the program. 
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. We do not sponsor visas for this position or internship conversions. 

General Portfolio Advice:

• Please limit application submission to 1 role. You will automatically be considered for similar roles based on your portfolio 
• Online format is preferred (Artstation, personal websites, etc.).
• If you have private work that is under NDA, please include the password in your application. Otherwise, we recommend you do not password protect your portfolio
• Test that your Portfolio or reel is accessible. Please include access to your portfolio on your resume in addition to the application form in case the link breaks 
• Ensure your portfolio showcases your best work 
• Fan Art? Sure! It shows your versatility as it relates directly to our art style
• Depending on the role, immersing yourself in the game to get the feel, tone and look can go a long way for your portfolio 

Applications close Monday, January 4th, 2027 at 11:59pm PT 

Our Perks:

Riot Internships are paid, and interns can also participate in our 401(k) plan. You can expect in-game perks, and the ability to participate in our Play Fund, so you can broaden and deepen your knowledge of our players and community through games. The University Programs team also invites you to intern focused events so you can connect with your fellow interns and Rioters to make the most out of your experience.

Riot Games fosters a player and workplace experience that values teamwork embodied by the Summoner's Code and Community Code. Our culture embraces differences as a strength, and our values are the guiding principles for how we approach work. We are committed to putting diversity and inclusion (D&I) at the center of everything we do, and promoting a fair and collaborative culture where Rioters treat one another with dignity and respect. We encourage you to read more about our value of thriving together and our ongoing work to build the most inclusive company in Gaming.

It’s our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

• Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
• Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
• Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
• Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security. 

(Remote Only) The hourly rate for this internship is USD $36.49