This job listing expired on Dec 31, 2021
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We are looking for a talented Art Director to join our San Diego Game Studio, Ultrabit. Ideally, you will be able to join our lovely San Diego office once the pandemic is over, but we are open to a full-time remote option for the right person. Working closely with the studio’s leadership team you will establish the visual direction for games in development, create high quality art, establish processes for maintaining an efficient art pipeline, and manage the art team.

The ideal candidate is self-motivated, always follows-up, and enjoys working within a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. The act of creating visual direction on all related aspects of a game excites you; making the game fun and enticing with clear visual cues are always on your mind.

You Will

  • Manage a team of internal and external artists to conceptualize and create all the art necessary for the studio’s games
  • Manage external vendors and provide effective written feedback
  • Take a hands-on role in creating, implementing, and refining game art
  • Manage processes and mentor artists, communicating clear direction on vision, providing actionable feedback and direction of deliverables, and setting appropriate expectations on tasks and schedules
  • Provide mood boards, concept art, storyboards, and style guides to communicate visual direction, references and guidelines
  • Creatively steer all production-ready art, including characters, backgrounds, animation, and UI
  • Establish and maintain inspiring, high-quality, and consistent visuals in each game
  • Work closely with the Director of Engineering to establish processes of integrating all art into the game
  • Work closely with the Director of Product to ensure that the visual direction across all aspects of the game are appropriate to the design and target audience
  • Work closely with the SVP of Marketing to ensure the art style and direction supports marketability
  • Work with licensed IPs and ensure implementation adheres to established quality and brand identity

You Have

  • Ability to manage internal and external teams of artists across multiple games and genres, sometimes with conflicting priorities
  • At least 3 years of experience as an Art Director roles or equivalent experience
  • Experience shipping mobile games in an Art Director capacity
  • Expert knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
  • Proven experience in creating style guides that represent clear direction
  • A portfolio demonstrating a range of work and originality of style
  • Proficient ability to work and direct UI/UX
  • Experience in mobile and F2P gaming is a strong preference
  • Experience with Unity and Spine animation preferred
  • Have an eye for providing creative ways to add charm and polish in every game
  • Expert knowledge of art fundamentals, including line, shape, form, color, lighting and perspective
  • Proficient knowledge of concept development, layout composition, color theory, typography, and basic drawing skills

Perks

  • 401K Plan with Company Match
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and long term disability insurance
  • Ample vacation days, PTO, and Paid Family Leave
  • Company wide events, game nights, happy hours and more (all of which are currently virtual)!
  • Build awesome games with premier IP holders.

This position is for our San Diego location, but we are open to remote work.

Due to the on-going pandemic, Kongregate is operating as a remote company until further notice. All interviews will be conducted via phone and video calls.

Kongregate is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

About Kongregate

Kongregate is a leading game developer focused on building engaging experiences in breakout game genres. Our mobile games, including collectible card game Animation Throwdown, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Madness, and the wild west themed Idle Frontier, have been downloaded hundreds of millions of times!

With 15 years of history, Kongregate started out small and has grown into a thriving business with over 85 employees across the nation in three main offices: Portland, Chicago, & San Diego. We are a dedicated and efficient team that enjoys making games as much as playing them. We measure our efforts through results rather than hours worked, and value the importance of a work-life/family balance on top of offering competitive pay and benefits. As our portfolio and teams grow, our culture remains built around gaining knowledge through cooperation. From board game nights to role-playing campaigns, we all continue to learn from each other and grow.