ConceptArt.Org
May 24th, 2007, 01:27 PM
Art Director
Summary
Supervises the art department of a leading-edge studio and establishes the direction/supervises the creation of visual content in game software. Holds and is able to communicate the vision for the overall visual flow and in doing so is accountable for the quality of art across all projects in the studio.
Reporting to the Studio Head, the Art Director works in partnership with the studio’s Design Director, Technical Director and each project's Producer to manage the art vision of all studio projects ensuring they are of the highest possible industry standards.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• In collaboration with the studio’s Studio Head, project Art Leads and each project's Producer, establish the visual content/art vision for each project and, as required, maintain and refine the art content during each stage of production to ensure the highest standards achievable.
• Takes an active role in planning of projects, authoring/maintaining style guides, gathering reference material and commissioning concept illustrations.
• Defines and plans the scope of work with the Project Manager in addition to techniques used to ensure the delivery of AAA quality art.
• Regularly reviews, provides feedback and works with Producer to approve the art content being built.
• Reliably specs out new projects and ensures the Art team have the number of resources and time needed to deliver.
• Conducts final approval/sign-off on Art Bible & Style Guide.
• Creates and maintains estimates and schedules (during pitch process and early stages of game development) until process is taken on by Producer and Leads. • Works with the Studio Head, Technical Director, Design Director and each Project Producer on a regular basis to ensure that product vision and quality benchmarks are being met in addition to studio resource allocation, project planning and management.
• Provides mentorship, coaching and performance management of lead artists on a game team as well as team members in collaboration with the Lead Artists. Compels the art team to think beyond their known skills and techniques to allow for growth and visual improvement.
• Coordinates with other Directors for annual studio business plan and action items to achieve those goals.
• Submits weekly reports regarding the status of the art department’s progress on each project.
• As required, assists Art Leads and individual artists on specific tasks to ensure successful visual flow.
• Supervises and manages the recruitment and mentoring of the studio’s art department. Recruitment efforts are handled in coordination with the HR Manager and project Producers. Training and mentoring exercises are handled in coordination with other directors and project Art Leads.
• In collaboration with project Producers, Art Leads and the HR Manager, conducts performance reviews for design staff.
Mentoring/Studio development:
• Establishes and standardizes art department best practices;
• Delivers internal presentations on art practices and methods;
• Ensures knowledge and asset sharing between teams;
• Meets with Art Leads for “One on Ones” and Leads “Rap Sessions”, etc.;
• Reviews and approves new hires
Skills and Qualifications:
Education and/or Experience
• Minimum of 5 years in the games industry or equivalent work experience;
• Proven experience managing large and diverse teams (minimum two years experience).
• Exceptional level of competence in at least one field of game art, including experience with techniques and software packages associated with that field. Additionally, a working understanding of other sub-disciplines is required. Fields include, but are not limited to: Concept Design, Graphic Design, Animation, Environment Modeling, Character Modeling, Texturing, Rigging & Lighting
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• A capacity to produce finished art of exceptional quality
• The ability to work effectively with no guidance
• Ability to take initiative and explore solutions to problems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent problem solving and interpersonal skills
• Solution-oriented
Sheri Kashman, HR Manager
sherik@backb.com
Tel. 604-738-9292 x241 fax 604-738-9294
Backbone Vancouver - www.backboneentertainment.com
A Foundation 9 Entertainment Company
#110-1650 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6J 1G1, Canada
Summary
Supervises the art department of a leading-edge studio and establishes the direction/supervises the creation of visual content in game software. Holds and is able to communicate the vision for the overall visual flow and in doing so is accountable for the quality of art across all projects in the studio.
Reporting to the Studio Head, the Art Director works in partnership with the studio’s Design Director, Technical Director and each project's Producer to manage the art vision of all studio projects ensuring they are of the highest possible industry standards.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• In collaboration with the studio’s Studio Head, project Art Leads and each project's Producer, establish the visual content/art vision for each project and, as required, maintain and refine the art content during each stage of production to ensure the highest standards achievable.
• Takes an active role in planning of projects, authoring/maintaining style guides, gathering reference material and commissioning concept illustrations.
• Defines and plans the scope of work with the Project Manager in addition to techniques used to ensure the delivery of AAA quality art.
• Regularly reviews, provides feedback and works with Producer to approve the art content being built.
• Reliably specs out new projects and ensures the Art team have the number of resources and time needed to deliver.
• Conducts final approval/sign-off on Art Bible & Style Guide.
• Creates and maintains estimates and schedules (during pitch process and early stages of game development) until process is taken on by Producer and Leads. • Works with the Studio Head, Technical Director, Design Director and each Project Producer on a regular basis to ensure that product vision and quality benchmarks are being met in addition to studio resource allocation, project planning and management.
• Provides mentorship, coaching and performance management of lead artists on a game team as well as team members in collaboration with the Lead Artists. Compels the art team to think beyond their known skills and techniques to allow for growth and visual improvement.
• Coordinates with other Directors for annual studio business plan and action items to achieve those goals.
• Submits weekly reports regarding the status of the art department’s progress on each project.
• As required, assists Art Leads and individual artists on specific tasks to ensure successful visual flow.
• Supervises and manages the recruitment and mentoring of the studio’s art department. Recruitment efforts are handled in coordination with the HR Manager and project Producers. Training and mentoring exercises are handled in coordination with other directors and project Art Leads.
• In collaboration with project Producers, Art Leads and the HR Manager, conducts performance reviews for design staff.
Mentoring/Studio development:
• Establishes and standardizes art department best practices;
• Delivers internal presentations on art practices and methods;
• Ensures knowledge and asset sharing between teams;
• Meets with Art Leads for “One on Ones” and Leads “Rap Sessions”, etc.;
• Reviews and approves new hires
Skills and Qualifications:
Education and/or Experience
• Minimum of 5 years in the games industry or equivalent work experience;
• Proven experience managing large and diverse teams (minimum two years experience).
• Exceptional level of competence in at least one field of game art, including experience with techniques and software packages associated with that field. Additionally, a working understanding of other sub-disciplines is required. Fields include, but are not limited to: Concept Design, Graphic Design, Animation, Environment Modeling, Character Modeling, Texturing, Rigging & Lighting
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• A capacity to produce finished art of exceptional quality
• The ability to work effectively with no guidance
• Ability to take initiative and explore solutions to problems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent problem solving and interpersonal skills
• Solution-oriented
Sheri Kashman, HR Manager
sherik@backb.com
Tel. 604-738-9292 x241 fax 604-738-9294
Backbone Vancouver - www.backboneentertainment.com
A Foundation 9 Entertainment Company
#110-1650 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6J 1G1, Canada