Art Director - Turn 10 Studios

Microsoft • Redmond, WA

407d • $137,600 - $314,400

About The Position

The Art Director at Turn 10 Studios will lead the visual direction of the Forza Motorsport game, ensuring that the art style aligns with the game's concept and resonates with the target audience. This role requires a seasoned professional with a strong background in AAA game development, a keen eye for photo-realism, and the ability to inspire and manage a diverse team of artists. The Art Director will collaborate closely with various stakeholders to maintain consistency and quality across all visual elements, while also driving innovation in the game's aesthetic appeal.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or Certificate in Game Art, Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Visual Communications or related art field AND 8+ years' experience in art design or a related art field working on computer games or entertainment OR equivalent experience.
• Experience as an Art Director in full development or at least one major AAA game release.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's Degree or Certificate in Design, Fine Arts, Human Computer Interaction, Visual Communications or related art field AND 15+ years' experience art design or a related art field working on computer games or entertainment OR equivalent experience.
• 12+ years' experience using related software and packages (e.g., Maya, 3DS Max, Photoshop/Adobe suite, Mental Ray, Substance Designer/Painter/Zbrush, SideFX Houdini, After Effects, Unity, Softimage) OR equivalent software packages.
• 3+ years' experience managing relationships with stakeholders, cross-functional leads, and team members.
• Deep understanding of real-time, photo-real visuals and a proven ability to work inside game engines.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Art Direction: Lead the overall visual direction of the game, ensuring the art style aligns with the game's concept and target audience.
• Generate Positive Energy: Inspire our team of artists, including concept artists, 3D modelers, texture artists, animators, and UI designers.
• Collaborate with Creative Leads, Engineers, and Producers: Work closely with the game design and other members of the development team to ensure that visual elements are functional, cohesive, and integrated into the gameplay experience.
• Ensure Consistency and Quality: Maintain a consistent visual style across all art assets, ensuring that all elements—from cars and environments to menus and icons—match the established art direction.
• Set Art Guidelines and Standards: Define technical specifications, art pipelines, and best practices for the art team to follow, ensuring efficiency and quality control throughout the project.
• Review and Approving Art Assets: Evaluate the work produced by the art team, provide constructive feedback, and approve finished assets before they are integrated into the game.
• Maintain Artistic Innovation: Stay updated on industry trends, new technologies, and emerging techniques, and introduce innovative visual ideas to enhance the game's aesthetic appeal.
• Communicate with Stakeholders: Present visual concepts, mood boards, and progress reports to other internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the broader vision for the game.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 401k
• Paid holidays
• Flexible scheduling
• Professional development opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Publishing Industries
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree