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Associate Art Director
2 years ago
With a rich history of developing multiple AAA franchises such as Little Big Planet and Crackdown, as well as contributing to genre-defining titles like the Forza Motorsport and Hitman series, Sumo Sheffield’s vast development experience spans multiple genres and platforms.
As winners of the TIGA Star Employment Award for 2021, recipients of the GI Biz 2020 Best Places to Work Award and listed as one of the UK’s 100 Best Large Companies to Work for in 2021, Sumo Digital has enjoyed 18 years of stability and growth since its formation in 2003 and continues to strive for excellence across every single project.
The team have a track record of working on some of the world's biggest and best games and received two BAFTAs for their work on Sackboy: A Big Adventure. As the scale and exclusivity of projects continues to grow, there’s never been a more exciting time to join the Sumo Sheffield family!
The role @ Sumo
We are actively recruiting an exceptional Associate Art Director for Sumo's Sheffield studio to help develop and grow the universe of an existing AAA IP. You will support the Art Director on all designated art aspects to ensure the project vision and aesthetic quality is upheld.
You will undoubtedly be a confident leader unafraid to be an advocate for the art team with the ability to have a holistic approach on how art impacts the gaming development lifecycle. With a passion for excellence, you will drive high standards, mentor and support team members and push for creative collaboration across both the Art department and other disciplines.
This is a perfect opportunity for the right person to start the transition to the role of Art Director.
Within this role you will:
- Support the Art Director and game development teams to ensure that art supports and enhances the game play and narrative.
- Review, direct and provide positive constructive feedback for appropriate art disciplines.
- Facilitate and lead art reviews for internal and external teams.
- Aid in the creation and refinement of Art Bibles, Style Guides, and Mood Boards in collaboration with the Art Director and discipline leads.
- Be an Advocate and spokesperson for the franchise.
- Regularly update senior management on status and progress of milestone deliverables.
- Actively participate in multi-discipline stakeholder meetings and champion the art requirements/needs
- Collaborate with Producers and Art Managers to identify and resolve art workflow and staffing issues.
- Be a stakeholder/owner in one or more areas, with feedback and sign off responsibilities.
- Work closely with multiple departments ensuring quality and best practices
To be successful you will have:
- Shipped at least one AAA title as an Art Lead or Principal.
- Have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in games or analogous industry.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
- Proven experience directing and supporting artists across multiple art disciplines.
- Worked collaboratively and productively in cross discipline teams.
- Be self-motivated and self-sufficient.
- Excellent visual, verbal, and written communication skills to support delivery of a clear artistic vision of the project both internally and externally.
- Mastery in identifying existing visual styles and the ability to implement them.
- A commitment to raising the bar for the project and team.
- A strong understanding of current game technology and future ambitions.
- A portfolio of project and personal work demonstrating quality, technique, and creative thought process.
- A Breadth of knowledge across many strands of visual culture, (including art and cinema)
It would be great if you also have experience with:
- Multiple areas of game Art production.
- Experience with developing games from existing IPs or franchises
- Working knowledge of industry standard Project Management tools, Perforce and Visual Development Platforms such as Shotgun.
What we offer:
. Defined Annual Bonus Scheme
. ULEV car scheme
. Monthly allowance to spend on enhancing benefits
. Salary Sacrifice Pension
. Flexible Working
. 21 days free-use holiday
+ your birthday off
+ 5 learning days including 1 volunteer day
+ a duvet day
+ Christmas shutdown from Christmas Eve to New Year
+ Bank Holidays
+ extra allowance accrued for longer service
. Free dental insurance
. Life Assurance 4x Salary
. Income Protection of 75% for 5 years
. Enhanced Mat/Paternity & Adoption pay
. Employee Assistance Programme:
. Help at Hand - Remote GP, Mental Health & Physio appointments
. Free financial & home buying support consultations
. Cycle to Work Scheme
. Payroll Giving Scheme
. Access to 4,000 Udemy Courses
. Career Development Pathway
. Wrap Parties.
. Project Completion Awards
. Game/Creative Jams
. Big Family Events
. Studio social activities, e.g. running, board games, film, yoga, life drawing…
. Prism – Sumo’s employee diversity focus group
. Free fruit and drinks in our studios
. Employee Referral Bonus
. Relocation Support to the UK
. Visa Sponsorship
Where do we stand on diversity?
At Sumo, we want to enable everyone to bring their full, authentic selves to work every single day. We acknowledge that the games industry is far from perfect and a global organisation with people all over the world, from all kinds of backgrounds, we know it’s part of our duty to provide everyone at Sumo with a safe, accepting and affirming working environment.
We encourage and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
More about Sumo Sheffield
Sumo Sheffield is located just outside the city centre in Sumo Digital’s HQ, just off J34 on the M1 and a stone’s throw from the city’s primary shopping and leisure complex. With a multi-building campus comprised of industry-leading facilities, an onsite gym and subsidised canteen, Sumo Sheffield provides everything needed for all teams to create the world’s best games.
Sheffield is the fifth largest city in the UK and is easily accessible by road and rail from Leeds, Manchester and the Midlands. The city enjoys a wealth of facilities to suit a wide array of interests, including:
o World-class sports facilities
o Iconic theatres and galleries
o Multiple retail and shopping experiences
o Diverse and renowned restaurants and eateries
o The award-winning National Video Game Museum
More about Sumo Digital
Sumo Digital is an award-winning international family of studios. Recent releases from Sumo Digital studios include: BAFTA-Award winning Sackboy: A Big Adventure, Hood: Outlaws & Legends, Control Ultimate Edition on Google Stadia, Apple Arcade Award-winning Little Orpheus, Hot Shot Racing, WST Snooker and Spyder.
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