Art Lead/Manager

We are looking for an experienced, talented, and motivated creative leader to bring their skills to our hit mobile game, Disney Emoji Blitz. You’ll have the opportunity to work with an incredibly talented development team and world-class IPs from Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars! In collaboration with product leadership in Los Angeles, this person will effectively communicate the visual direction for live ops content and upholding Disney Emoji brand guidelines. The candidate will be involved in many aspects of game development, from brainstorms and pre-production to content releases for live operations. Overseeing a team of internal artists, this person is responsible for communicating visual direction and serves as the main communication conduits across local and US-based teams. They will also be responsible and upholding quality across all aspects of the games’ visuals and providing career development for the South American art team. As needed, they contributed to defining the most appropriate tools, methods and approaches for each initiative.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create or direct vector art game assets up to the high standards set by the style of the product - characters, items, UI, animation and more!
• Create written and visual feedback (redlines, paint-overs) to guide the art team on quality and maintain the visual bar and style of Disney Emoji Blitz
• Participate in visual critiques and brainstorms.
• Manage art team deliverables, ensuring they meet the defined objectives
• Manage collaboration and cross discipline feedback on new features
• Support Sprint Planning for the art department
• Work with Producers to scope art for new features
• Collaborate with other disciplines to ensure consistency of art across multiple devices
• Work with the marketing team to ensure accurate brand representation
• Play a critical role in the recruiting efforts of the art department.
• Build, manage, lead and mentor a team of artists.
• Research industry standards and develop new techniques and workflows.
• Occasionally assist decks and presentations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BFA degree Illustration, Animation or Entertainment Arts or equivalent training or work experience.
• 5+ years of production experience on mobile games.
• 2+ year of leadership experience.
• Excellent Adobe Illustrator skills.
• Excellent Adobe Photoshop skills.
• Ability to communicate ideas well, providing feedback and discussing creative direction with a diplomatic approach.
• Experience navigating IP stakeholder feedback to achieve the best result for players
• Tremendous artistic talent, firm understanding of traditional art principles.
• A firm grasp of visual design as it relates to game development.
• Takes initiative to solve problems with excellent follow-through.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to solve creative problems.
• Team player who understands the value of regular and effective communication.
• Experience working with outsourcers or external vendors.
• Passion for video games is a must!
• A portfolio of work required

EXTRA CREDIT

• Experience with or affinity for Disney/Pixar
• Previous experience with animation motion graphics, and particle effects.
• Git / Perforce or equivalent source control experience.
• Experience working in Unity.