Lead Environment Artist

Spark Unlimited is looking for an experienced Lead Environment Artist to join us in making a breakout hit called “Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z”. This is an opportunity for you to have a hand in creating a bold new take on 3rd Person slasher with Horror elements for the PS3 and Xbox360. The Lead Environment Artist must own the quality and goals of the environment department and lead the group to accomplish their goals. Additionally, the Lead Environment Artist will be responsible for creating levels with a team of environment artists in collaboration with design, including oversight of level production and key hero moment meshes. The ideal candidate is an outstanding environment artist with thorough knowledge of layout, lighting, modeling and texturing principles and pipelines, possessing strong leadership skills, production-sensibilities, and the talent to produce and implement the highest quality work.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Game and Art Director to develop environment goals and assets that fulfill the requirements of the project’s game and visual design.
• Work with all departments on the scheduling and integration of the Environment assets. Lead the integration of level art with designers and engineers to create compelling in-game settings.
• Lead the department on accomplishing the style, look and feel of the environments.
• Drive the department to consistently meet project deadlines in a timely manner without compromising artistic integrity.
• Lead a group of environment artists to create compelling and consistent 3D game environments that work within the technical and memory constraints of the game.
• Work collaboratively with all levels of the development team, including active participation in Spark’s agile-development process. Cultivate a positive team dynamic, and exhibit a professional attitude by demonstrating a good balance between creativity and practical flexibility.
  

Requirements

• Lead Environment Artist experience on current generation product.
• Minimum of 4- 5 years as an environment artist. Shipped at least 2 games in the last 5 years as an environment artist.
• Expert modeling, texturing, and UV mapping ability.
• Proven ability to work within the technical and memory constraints of a game.
• Unreal 3 Engine experience. Comprehensive knowledge of Unreal 3, lighting, level building, and shader creation.
• Strong understanding of form and composition, color and lighting. Demonstrated by a strong portfolio.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Maya, Photoshop, and Z-brush or Mudbox.
• The ability to generate a systematic approach and execution to level critiques.
• Excellent communication, time-management and organizational skills. A strong ability to work across multiple disciplines to gather feedback and address cross-functional issues. Penchant for practical innovation and the ability to bring new ideas to the table.
• Passionate player of games with an ability to analyze competitive products for their strengths and weaknesses.

Preferred Skills

• Strong traditional art background (B.F.A. or equivalent degree).
• Third-person action genre experience.
• Experience working in an Agile/Scrum development environment.

• Applicants must be able to work at our Sherman Oaks, California studios.
• Email only. No visits or phone calls, please.
• The Subject line of your email must reference the job title and your name, like this: Lead Environment Artist: Last name, First name
• Include your resume as an email attachment, preferably as a PDF or in Word 2003 or later format. Include links to online portfolio if applicable.
• Include links to online portfolio or send demo reel materials to Spark Unlimited, Attn: Art Dept, 15000 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 202, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. No drop offs please.
• Make sure your resume also includes your name, address, phone, and email.
• Send email to art-jobC3232@sparkunlimited.com

 

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