Art Director

About Us:

At Character Labs, we are pioneering the next generation of virtual character platforms. As we venture into the future of immersive experiences, we are on the lookout for a rockstar Character Artist to join our dynamic team.

Job Description: The Art Director will be the creative visionary responsible for the overall visual appearance and how it communicates visually, stimulates moods, contrasts features, and psychologically appeals to a target audience. The Art Director will ensure that our character models and animations are not only of the highest artistic quality but also align with our storytelling and gameplay objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Establish, develop, and maintain the artistic vision and direction of character models and animation styles throughout the production cycle.
• Lead and direct a team of character artists, modelers, and animators to achieve exceptional quality in character creation and movement.
• Collaborate with other department leads to merge narrative and gameplay with visual design.
• Review and approve designs, artwork, photography, and graphics developed by staff members.
• Talk to clients to develop an artistic approach and style.
• Coordinate activities with other artistic and creative departments.
• Develop detailed budgets and timelines.
• Present designs to clients for approval.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Art, Graphic Design, or related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of art direction or relevant experience in the game development or animation industry.
• Strong portfolio showcasing a breadth of visual design and leadership experience.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling and animation software, such as Maya, Blender, or similar programs.
• Exceptional ability in the area of character design, including a strong grasp of anatomy, color theory, perspective, lighting, and composition.
• Prior experience managing a team of artists with the ability to inspire, motivate, and provide a vision.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A deep understanding of the technical limitations and art pipelines in game development or animation production.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Unreal Engine, Unity, or other real-time platforms.
• Proven track record of successful project management from concept to completion.
• Familiarity with agile/scrum methodologies.

Application Instructions: Interested candidates should submit a resume, a cover letter detailing your leadership philosophy and approach to art direction, and a portfolio link displaying relevant work. We are particularly interested in your contributions to character modeling and animation within your portfolio.

Character Labs is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

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