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Associate Art Director - Coconut Lizard

Associate Art Director – Coconut Lizard

Coconut Lizard is at the cutting edge of technology and creativity, delivering co-development video game services to our global triple-A clients. Our successful studio is growing, and we are now looking for a Associate Art Director to join the expanding art team. Founded in 2015, and part of the Keyword Studios Group since 2020, we are based in Newcastle/Gateshead area and we work on multiple exciting projects at any one time, offering plenty of variety and involvement. We offer our talented team a professional, fun and supportive working environment and we are passionate about what we do.

Responsibilities – Associate Art Director:

• Provide clear, concise visual direction and guidance to the art team, review digital assets, providing feedback in a timely manner.
• Share your passion for excellence, create inspiring artwork/style guides to clearly promote the high visual quality standards we are aiming for and ensure the artists are working together to meet these standards.
• Drive the vision forward by aligning with and fully understanding the client's art direction and then working alongside our internal art team to ensure creative cohesion.
• Continually look for opportunities to innovate and improve the visual quality on all projects.
• Assist with project pitches and be comfortable dealing face to face with external clients to discuss opportunities for working with them on their games.
• Help to build and raise the profile of the growing art team.
• Mentor Artists on the team, providing support and nurturing to encourage their continued growth, helping to improve their skills and build their knowledge and confidence.
• Oversee and provide detailed feedback to multiple art disciplines including UI, Environment Art, Lighting, VFX, Character and Concept Art.

Requirements

Skills:

• An impeccable eye for aesthetic quality, visual excellence and a high attention to detail demonstrated through an art portfolio.
• Highly proficient in current development tools and software including Unreal, Maya/3DS Max/Blender, Zbrush and Substance.
• A confident art leader with good verbal and written communication skills. You will have the ability to articulate visual ideas with clarity and conviction and provide clear feedback and guidance.
• Good understanding of fundamental art principles; colour and lighting theory, composition and staging techniques.
• Able to creatively supervise and drive artwork, directing the other artists and leading by example.
• The Associate AD needs to be agile, with the ability to oversee artwork on more than one project and from varying disciplines. Plus, be able to adapt to a variety of art styles.
• Have an understanding of up-to-date game development technical processes, you will take a keen interest in latest workflows and have an interest in learning, evaluating and evangelizing appropriate usage of new software, tools and technologies.
• You will have good leadership skills, be a collaborative team player, ideally with some game art management experience.
• You will have a calm, positive and professional attitude alongside excellent interpersonal skills.

Benefits

Some of the many benefits and perks offered by Coconut Lizard, alongside a great working environment:

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays + up to 5 days extra for length of service)
• Company Pension Scheme
• Flexible working hours
• Private Medical Plan
• Employee Share Scheme
• Anti-crunch ethos - an amazingly professional, fun and supportive working environment!
• Annual Bonus – be rewarded for great teamwork!
• Free Parking
• Tech and Bike Scheme
• Company Share Scheme
• Company Socials, Project Launch/Wrap Parties + Annual Events
• Complimentary refreshments in the studio

We offer a flexible working policy - this Associate Art Director role will ideally be hybrid or studio based at either d3t (Runcorn, Cheshire) or Coconut Lizard (Gateshead, Tyne & Wear).

Initial interviews will be help by video call with a second interview held at the studio.

Don't meet every single requirement? Not a problem - please apply. At Coconut Lizard we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace and culture. If this opportunity excites you but your current skills or past experience don't align perfectly with the job description, we encourage you to still apply. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles within our team.