Art Director - Melbourne

Keywords Studios is one of the largest go-to technical and creative services providers to the global video games industry. We provide integrated art production, engineering, audio services, testing, localization, and player support services for PC, Playstation, Nintendo, Xbox video games. How big are we? 17,000 employees. 80+ Studios. 20+ Countries. EUR$650M+ Revenue. Best of all, we continue to grow in a sustainable way. 

Keywords Studios Australia, consists of Wicked Workshop (Vic), Tantalus Media (SA, Qld, Vic), and Mighty Games. In 2023 we added over 70 new, talented individuals surpassing 250 employees in Australia. We're anticipating similar growth for 2024. Whilst we're backed by a highly successful global parent company, we still enjoy the intimacy and independent studio feels. If you're a passionate, collaborative, can-do, delivery focused individual, we'd love to hear from you. 

Job Description

As Art Director, you will lead the creative vision for our games, ensuring a cohesive and compelling visual identity. You’ll guide a team of artists, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and oversee the artistic process from concept to final delivery. Your role is to balance artistic excellence with production realities, driving the quality and consistency of all visual elements. As a key leader, you’ll foster creativity, inspire your team, and ensure that the art direction aligns with both gameplay and business objectives.

Managing dedicated art teams across geographies or studios, emphasizing overall quality, productivity, and continuous team development.  

➢ Engages in interactions at a higher level, handling crucial project kick-offs, communications, and escalations, with a focus on meeting and exceeding client expectations.  

➢ Focuses on guiding art teams across multiple studios to achieve broader project goals and maintain high-quality standards.  

➢ Play a key role in project planning and execution at a higher level, potentially handling multiple projects simultaneously, with a focus on achieving timelines, quality benchmarks, and budgetary allocations.  

➢ Engages in comprehensive artistic mentorship, leading and managing dedicated art teams across various domains or studios, contributing to the overall artistic direction.  

IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Fine Arts, Digital Art, Game Design, or a related field is preferred. 
• Minimum of 6+ years in the gaming industry, with at least 3 years in an art leadership role such as Art Director or Associate Art Director, preferably within AAA game development. 
• Strong understanding of industry-standard game engines (Unreal, Unity) and creative software (Maya, Photoshop, Substance Suite) will be highly regarded. 
• Demonstrated ability to define and maintain a cohesive artistic vision across entire projects. A portfolio showcasing strong creative direction, visual storytelling, and an understanding of design principles. 
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of artists. Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills, with a focus on driving creative excellence and innovation. 
• Experience managing complex art production pipelines, including budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation. Ability to balance creative ambitions with technical and production constraints. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work closely with cross-functional teams including game design, engineering, and production to achieve project goals. 
• Expertise in working with clients, producers, and stakeholders to ensure that artistic goals align with project objectives, and that expectations are clearly communicated and met. 
• Ability to stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and new tools. Flexibility in adjusting to changing project needs and priorities. 
• A genuine passion for gaming and a collaborative mindset, with a commitment to being a positive influence on the team and contributing to the overall success of the development process.