Studio Art Director
Helixe Studios is looking for a talented and self-motivated individual to fill the role of Art Director. The company specializes in game development for the Nintendo DS and is a wholly-owned division of THQ, one of the world's largest and most successful game publishers. This relationship allows us to provide a benefit package of a larger company and yet maintain the feel of a small independent studio. Our offices are located in Burlington, Massachusetts, just a 30-minute drive from downtown Boston. Join our team of highly motivated and collaborative developers. www.helixe.com
Helixe is currently developing several high profile titles set for release in 2008 and 2009. Since the studio's inception in July of 2000, Helixe has produced 20 DS and GBA games with total sales topping well over 5 million units. These titles include top-selling Pixar's The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille and WALL-E, licensed properties for Star Wars and Scooby Doo, and numerous Nickelodeon titles as well as original DS titles.
Art Director
The Art Director is responsible for the visual direction on all Helixe titles as well as the management of artists on those projects. You must be able to match the visual style of Pixar Licensed properties and original THQ properties. is essential that a candidate be able to work and effectively communicate in a team environment. The Art Director should regularly be setting examples in communication, initiative, teamwork, and productivity while working to improve the skills and knowledge of the Art group through mentoring, education, and direction.
Director responsibilities:
A candidate must be able to use one of the major 3D Polygon modeling packages. Helixe currently uses 3D Studio Max for our development needs. You should also be able to demonstrate the ability to draw and paint with a strong emphasis on paint/texturing skill.
Requirements:
Helixe is currently developing several high profile titles set for release in 2008 and 2009. Since the studio's inception in July of 2000, Helixe has produced 20 DS and GBA games with total sales topping well over 5 million units. These titles include top-selling Pixar's The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille and WALL-E, licensed properties for Star Wars and Scooby Doo, and numerous Nickelodeon titles as well as original DS titles.
Art Director
The Art Director is responsible for the visual direction on all Helixe titles as well as the management of artists on those projects. You must be able to match the visual style of Pixar Licensed properties and original THQ properties. is essential that a candidate be able to work and effectively communicate in a team environment. The Art Director should regularly be setting examples in communication, initiative, teamwork, and productivity while working to improve the skills and knowledge of the Art group through mentoring, education, and direction.
Director responsibilities:
- Oversee all aspects of the visual portion of Helixe Studios game development.
- Recrutting/training of new art/animation talent.
- Allocate/Manage/Mentor/Review a current art/animation staff of 12 across multiple projects
- Supervise workflow of internal artists, and provide guidance, inspiration and mentoring as needed.
- Management of external contract artists as needed.
- Collaborate with producers, designers and programmers to ensure the art needs of each project are met in a timely manner.
- Oversee/review the work of the artists across multiple projects simultaneously to ensure it meets Helixe/THQ standard of high quality art
- Schedule resources and ensure art assets are organized and properly tracked.
- Work with stakeholders in the rest of the company to ensure proper representation of game assets in marketing materials, website, etc.
- Participate in studio steering considerations with general manager and other department heads.
A candidate must be able to use one of the major 3D Polygon modeling packages. Helixe currently uses 3D Studio Max for our development needs. You should also be able to demonstrate the ability to draw and paint with a strong emphasis on paint/texturing skill.
Requirements:
- Bachelors degree is preferred, but not required.
- Excellent communication and team skills.
- 10 years of game development experience and multiple shipped games as an artist.
- 3D modeling and drawing/painting skills.