Position: 2D Game Art & Visual Design Intern

Please note, this position is appropriate for Digital Arts & Media students. However, an internship is not a requirement of your BDP. You must however complete a Creative Project for your CE which this would not count for.

Location: In-person, UT campus

Time Commitment for Fall 2026:

FA 340: 150 total hours (~10/week)

Compensation: Unpaid (Academic Credit Course Eligible)

About RistoCat

RistoCat is an incremental strategy mobile game, where players run a club in Ancient Egypt to keep their kittens milk drunk. We leverage resource management mechanics to teach players financial literacy through play instead of lectures.

We take inspiration from blockbuster Tamagotchi-style games, like Club Penguin and Animal Crossing, to bridge the worlds of gaming with education and are in conversation with a major educational gaming platform for distribution.

Position Overview

We’re looking for a creative 2D Game Art & Visual Design intern to help take RistoCat from a working prototype to a polished, delightful player experience. You’ll evaluate existing mechanics, help establish a visual style guide, redesign 2D assets and UI elements, and explore game feel and feedback loops. You’ll then test your work directly with players and iterate. This role is structured as a hands-on learning experience in visual art direction, UI/UX design, and interactive storytelling in a 2D game environment, with direct mentorship from the founder.

Key Responsibilities & Learning Objectives

Visual Art Direction & Concepting: Translate existing 2D mechanics into a cohesive visual style; produce concept art, color palettes, and mockups establishing the game’s aesthetic direction.
2D Asset & UI/UX Design: Design environment assets, character/prop art, and UI components (e.g., HUDs, menus, interactive prompts) that improve gameplay readability.
Game Feel & Visual Polish: Design visual feedback systems (e.g., particle effects, UI animation, action indicators) to increase player delight and emotional engagement.
Playtesting & Iteration: Participate in active playtesting sessions, interviewing players and translating feedback into design changes.

By the end of the semester, you’ll have shipped a defined set of production-ready deliverables plus a complete before/after case study documenting your process, for your professional portfolio.

Qualifications

Required

Strong foundation in 2D digital art, illustration, visual hierarchy, or UI/UX design.
Willingness to actively engage with playtesters, participate in player interviews, and translate user feedback into actionable design iterations.

Preferred

Interest in game feel, interaction design, and visual feedback mechanisms.
Appreciation for lighthearted, delight-driven culture (e.g., cat memes) aimed at improving the appeal of this game.

Mentorship & Guidance

You will work directly with the founder/lead developer, a UT Austin alum with prior experience at Google and Meta, along with an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Alongside the core art/design work, weekly 1-on-1 mentorship sessions cover:

Visual design feedback, portfolio building, and visual communication strategies.
Translating creative concepts into marketable user experiences.
Career guidance across technology, design, and product development.

How to Apply

Submit your resume to shiva@ristocat.com along with a link to your portfolio, ArtStation, or relevant work samples in 2D art, UI design, or concept work.