One of Zynga’s exciting new games in development is looking for an outstanding, proven Art Director to guide the game visual presentation as it nears close to launch and enters its live lifecycle. The Art Director will lead all aspects of a team of experienced, talented artists working on a 3D animated game for a mass-market audience, responsible for the overall quality of work produced by the artists. This position requires an eye for quality and fun, as the Art Director is ultimately accountable for work that will be seen and experienced by millions of players every day. The Art Director will be a team leader collaborating with the Studio General Manager, Product Managers, Game Designers and Engineers to collaborate and realize the full fun and refinement of our game while balancing technical constraints with design opportunities.
Qualified candidates will have a strong track record shipping successful mass-market casual games while in a senior creative role, with experience in the social and mobile gaming space. This is an exciting opportunity to be an Art Director of a new team working on a new game in the mobile space!
Responsibilities:
- Crystallize and maintain a clear art style for the game
- Direct an art team of concept artists, modelers, technical artists and animators to the highest standard of execution
- Insure art serves the needs of the game’s fiction and narrative while delivering on the product needs to realize successful business outcomes
- Lead art reviews with peers and staff, providing constructive and positive feedback
- Represent and defend art decisions, dissect feedback from executive leadership into actionable work to improve the game
- Lead tight art delivery pipelines and schedules
- Understand and be able to articulate artistic rationale in relation to Creative and Art Direction
- Support the game’s brand to ensure consistent use of the brand identity. Ensure all creative, marketing materials conform to standards for consistency in visual identity, messaging and positioning, including voice and personality
- Work closely with the studio’s producers and game designers to ensure there is a holistic and collaborative approach to the production of the game
- Participate in concept creation efforts and pitch in on delivery as needed
- Research, explore and communicate best practices in design and art direction within the competitive market. Lead the development of goals, standards, processes and feedback mechanisms
- Mentor artists and designers to help them grow into increasingly larger and more influential roles
Your Experience:
- 7 – 10 years of professional experience and advanced leadership is required
- Minimum of two shipped titles as Art Director, ideally from pre-production through launch and live operations
- Strong understanding of all aspects of Art Direction and Game Development
- Top-notch creative chops: you should be a great artist as well as a leader and have an attitude to roll-up your sleeves to help the team deliver
- Exceptional leadership qualities and outstanding communication skills
- A strong understanding of 3D, 2D and mobile game technology
- A great sense of people and how to lead them to reach their career goals and grow their skill sets
- Passion for mass-market casual games
What we offer you:
- Zynga Stock RSUs and Bonus Plan
- Full medical, dental, vision benefits as well as life insurance
- Catered lunch daily
- Generous Paid Maternity/Paternity leave
- Open vacation policy for many employees
- Flexible working hours on many teams
- Casual dress every single day
- Work with cool people!
Zynga is an equal opportunity employer. We are proud of our diverse community; we do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, disability, or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable law. We encourage candidates, players, employees, and partners from all backgrounds. Join us!
Zynga will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.
Zynga is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.
