I am recruiting for a great games company in the UK. They are looking for an experience Art Director from either a Film or Games back ground. I can’t say any thing about the project except it’s a new IP from a studio that has recently made some Great No.1 Selling titles. I would more than happily talk to anyone that is interested in this role and would like to find out more. If you send me an email with a brief outline of your experience then I will get in touch with you. This is a very well paid position. There is a certain amount of flexibility in the job spec as this is for the perfect candidate. (and is very long!)

If you like what you read then drop me an email ben@semag.co.uk

Career Pre-requisites
 Art Directors need to be capable of balancing a project’s creative and visual requirements with schedule, staff and budget limitations.
 You must demonstrate an understanding of story-telling and design process as well as the ability to integrate them while ensuring that high production values are never compromised.
 You must demonstrate an ability to present well and manage their teams as well as their clients (Production and Exec Mgmt.)
 You should be creative people who are self-motivated.
 If coming from outside the game industry, new hires will be expected to learn/understand how game-play and real-time issues can affect overall Art Direction and develop techniques to compensate for such limitations.

Portfolio/Reel must demonstrate:
 Composition
 Colour
 Light
 Motion
 Front End and Typography
 Presentation skills
 Craftsmanship
 Breadth of creative styles.

Requirements:
 Demonstrates an understanding of story-telling, craftsmanship and continuity.
 Demonstrates an ability to inspire and lead junior staff while maintaining consistent work output.
 Must be able to communicate effectively with Sr. and Jr. Studio staff.
 Ability to balance impact of deadlines and resources with style and quality requirements of a title’s Art Direction.
 Story-telling skills.

Understanding:
 Very good understanding of:
 Design process and methodology and how it is integrated into game production.
 Story-telling and how it applies to gaming.
 Excellent understanding of:
 Craftsmanship
 Continuity
 Pre-production for most aspects of a video game.

Responsibilities:
 Provides appropriate level of supervision to a team of 6-8 artists on a project or sub-team.
 Establishes visual direction and productions standards for a small project or sub-team.
 Responsible for researching and designing concepts for at least one of the following areas of a large project: Creatures, Environments, Storyboards, or Overall Look and Feel on a small project.
 Creates Look/Feel boards, Style guide and Beat boards as appropriate.
 On a larger title, writes appropriate sections of MDD’s on a timely basis for a larger title; or the complete MDD for a small project.
 Works under the supervision of an AD or a Senior AD.
 Creates design strategies for products while maintaining integrity of licensed IP and licensor style guides.
 Conducts reviews of Art Team with Art Production Managers and/or Development Directors.
 Conducts critiques with clear and consistent direction to art team.

Professionalism:
 Expected to learn client management skills.

Requirements:
 Experience with various levels of art direction responsibility on at least 5-10 successful films/games (including shipping on time)
 Ability to work with and maintain integrity of Licensor IP and/or Style Guide.
 Capable of identifying and recommending needs for art-specific tools to enhance or control visual aspects of game.
 Excellent written and verbal communication skills; must be able to communicate difficult and creative concepts in a clear and concise manner; capable of writing design documentation defining the needs.
 Demonstrated ability to supervise and direct large franchises that ship on time. Includes providing consistent and clear direction for large art teams.
 Excellent presentation skills.

Understanding:
 Excellent understanding of:
 Design process and methodology and how it is integrated into game production.
 Storytelling and how it impacts all key visual areas of gaming.
 Pre-production and how, when done effectively, it eliminates problems later on in the production cycle.
 Expert understanding of:
 Craftsmanship
 Continuity
 Pre-production for most aspects of a video game
 Demonstrates a high level understanding of Design Process/Methodology and how it is integrated into game production.

Responsibilities:
 Establishes visual direction and productions standards for a franchise.
 Ensures that adequate pre-production is complete and testing of new concepts/techniques is complete prior to production of title.
 Ability to present concepts, ideas, etc. to Marketing and Studio mgmt. Teams.
 Supervises a team of artists on a franchise and Associate Ad’s.
 Write and assist with management of project schedules and resource planning.
 Demonstrates a high level of creativity and originality in treatments of licensed IP and licensor style guides without violating any license issues.
 Writes staff plans, assessments and reviews.
 Responsible for training and career direction issues for team staff.
 Conducts reviews of Art team with Art Production Managers and/or Development Directors.
 Conducts critiques with clear and consistent direction to art team.
 Assists with recruiting of Art staff.

Requirements:
 Storytelling skills as it relates to developing new IP; understands how IP relates to marketing and licensing to 3rd parties.
 Demonstrates a history of well executed pre-production.
 Demonstrates a history of successfully Art-directing complex real time projects.
 Demonstrates a history of pro-actively mentoring and growing artist staffs and Art Directors.
 Must have excellent presentation skills.
 History of new and cutting edge methodologies and techniques that add value to our games.

Responsibilities:
 Actively supervises visual direction and productions standards for a group of franchises or studio.
 Supervises AD’s and other senior artists across the studio where appropriate.
 Works with studio mgmt to establish directions and policy as it related to content creation. (staff plans, assessments, budgeting)
 Directly oversees development and visual direction for new IP.
 Supervises Art Directors across multiple production groups or entire studios.
 Responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, mentoring and Career direction of Senior CG staff within their production group/studio.
 Maintains a level of communication with other Art Directors/development teams. Responsible for working with Studio GM and Studio Exec to ensure that the Studio’s strategies for Art direction artist development are appropriate and effective for the present and future needs of the studio.
 Reviews all Media Design Documents and advises respective ECP and Studio Exec of any foreseeable issues/concerns. Makes recommendations where appropriate.
 Attends industry events and stays abreast of new techniques and trends within the entertainment and design industries.