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Schell Games Hiring Artists - 2 Opportunities (Pittsburgh, PA)

Schell Games is a highly talented group of artists, programmers, producers, and game designers led by game industry veteran Jesse Schell. We like creating family-friendly games that are innovative, and fun. Presently, we focus on creating a wide variety of innovative gaming experiences including theme park installations, web based MMO's, next generation consoles, social games, and mobile platforms.

Do you believe games can be fun and emotionally engaging? Would you agree that games can positively affect people?

If you answered "YES!" to both questions then Schell Games would like to hear from you.


Art - Project Art Director/Assistant Manager

Schell Games is currently seeking a talented art leader with an interest in hands-on project Art Direction in collaborative environments to join our development team full time. This role will work closely with and report to the VP of Art, while guiding team projects and assisting management of the art department.

Applicant should be ready to help guide the overall visual look of game development projects, and supervising the efforts of the assigned Art Teams. The Art Director carries the vision to ensure fidelity and consistency, working with the teams to deliver amazing visuals in service of the overall game experience. He or she will be involved with art schedules, milestone deliverables, and setting standard procedures and expectations. The ability and experience with review processes and art department management is also an expected role responsibility.

The ability to communicate and work closely and collaboratively with separate disciplines towards the unifying goal is a must-have skill for us!

Responsibilities:


  • Teams up closely with the project Director, Producer, Technical Director and other team Leads to address all issues related to artistic needs, including: defining the stylistic vision, establishing and maintaining aesthetic standards, influencing the technical direction of the project to best support the artistic goals, and contributing accurate scheduling information to the production department.

  • Directs tasks across multiple milestones/duration of project. Works on longer range projects and planning. Approves the planning of project milestones with the Leads team and Production via Agile.

  • An advocate and director of the Art department and processes within the team - serving as a key contact at a project lead level and between teams. Represents and communicates the art department's successes, challenges, and point of view concerning project direction/production.
  • Working closely with the project Director to establish, interpret, and support the game design. Creates the visual language that directly enhances the core design and offers artistic solutions to design problems.

  • Oversee the visual development of the project, encouraging input from team members and specialties but making final decisions on the visual quality, style, and mood of assets.

  • Communicate the artistic design and development of the project to the art team (internal) and client (external) through verbal discussions, art specifications, and style guides, including environmental design, character design, prop design, graphic design, lighting, special effects, and reference material.

  • Works with the Studio Art VP to build and manage a high-performing team, outline succession planning, manage risk and identify growth opportunities across art disciplines.

  • Works with the Studio Art VP to manage performance, write, and deliver performance reviews for team artists. Helps set and direct quarterly goals. Mentors across all levels of the Art team and team members outside discipline on quality, process and best practice with direct correlation to project goals.

  • Assist the Studio Art VP with creative culture endeavors, scheduling and organizing events and outreach in the art department and outside the studio.

Requirements:

  • Minimum of 5 years of industry experience with a successful track record as an Art Director or Art Manager.
  • A portfolio demonstrating outstanding work in game visual development.
  • Prior experience building, leading and mentoring highly creative teams.
  • Excellent team communication and motivational skills.
  • Good understanding of 3D computer graphics, gaming platforms and industry trends.
  • BFA preferred.

To apply for this job please click here.



3D World Builder/Environment Artist

Schell Games works on a variety of different titles ranging from online worlds and educational experiences to theme park attractions. Our candidate would start work right away for a current tablet-based, groundbreaking action-adventure title in Unity 3D.

Our ideal candidate for this full time position will be able to integrate well into a multi-disciplined pod for creation of engaging and visually compelling levels. The ability to communicate well both verbally and written is essential. Candidate should have an excellent eye for creative world building and the ability to respond professionally to feedback and art direction. Candidate should display the ability to do first-pass lighting of levels for navigation and mood, as well as create any assets needed to fully flesh out scenes.

Passion for precise level/prop design and the ability to work in a wide range of styles within the media is crucial. Previous experience working within optimization guidelines, creation of VFX, or shader work is a plus. We’re looking for someone excited about cross-disciplined collaboration and making great worlds with us!

Requirements:
  • A minimum of 3 years experience
  • Portfolio of work must be available for review, displaying examples of various elements of environment design and propwork
  • Understanding of optimization limitations and methodology
  • Sculpting in ZBrush and high to low poly process
  • Excellent texture abilities of both realistic and painterly style/materials
  • Expert knowledge of Maya and/or 3DSMax
  • Flexibility with adoption of art styles and direction is critical
  • List and example media from previously released title work

Desired Skills and Pluses:
  • BS/BA/BFA degree in graphic design, fine arts, animation, visual communication, or similar
  • 2d texture mapping of 3d models
  • Unity engine experience
  • Lighting and rendering experience
  • Scriptwriting for export
  • Shader and effects experience

To apply for this job please click here.


To see these and other job opportunities, or to learn more about Schell Games, please visit our website.

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