Art Director

We are Turn 10 Studios where cars, community, and creativity drive our success in gaming. Turn 10 Studios is part of Xbox Gaming Studios, a video game publishing division of Microsoft Corporation based in Redmond, Washington. We are the creators of the top-selling, award-winning, and critically acclaimed Forza franchises: Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon.

We are looking for an Art Director- Turn 10 Studios to join our Motorsport Team. Candidates should have a proven track record of shipping high-quality, AAA games, a discerning eye for photo-realism, and a passion for gaming. You do not need to be a racing specialist to succeed in this unique position - though you may become one!

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Art Direction: Lead the overall visual direction of the game, ensuring the art style aligns with the game’s concept and target audience.
• Generate Positive Energy: Inspire our team of artists, including concept artists, 3D modelers, texture artists, animators, and UI designers. Provide feedback, direction, and support to ensure high-quality work.
• Collaborate with Creative Leads, Engineers, and Producers: Work closely with the game design and other members of the development team to ensure that visual elements are functional, cohesive, and integrated into the gameplay experience.
• Ensure Consistency and Quality: Maintain a consistent visual style across all art assets, ensuring that all elements—from cars and environments to menus and icons—match the established art direction.
• Set Art Guidelines and Standards: Define technical specifications, art pipelines, and best practices for the art team to follow, ensuring efficiency and quality control throughout the project.
• Review and Approving Art Assets: Evaluate the work produced by the art team, provide constructive feedback, and approve finished assets before they are integrated into the game.
• Maintain Artistic Innovation: Stay updated on industry trends, new technologies, and emerging techniques, and introduce innovative visual ideas to enhance the game's aesthetic appeal.
• Communicate with Stakeholders: Present visual concepts, mood boards, and progress reports to other internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the broader vision for the game.
  
  

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or Certificate in Game Art, Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Visual Communications or related art field AND 8 years’ experience in art design or a related art field working on computer games or entertainment
• OR equivalent experience.
• Experience as an Art Director in full development or at least one major AAA game release.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or Certificate in Design, Fine Arts, Human Computer Interaction, Visual Communications or related art field AND 15 years’ experience art design or a related art field working on computer games or entertainment
• OR equivalent experience.
• 12 years’ experience using related software and packages (e.g., Maya, 3DS Max, Photoshop/Adobe suite, Mental Ray, Substance Designer/Painter/Zbrush, SideFX Houdini, After Effects, Unity, Softimage)
• OR equivalent software packages.
• 3 years' experience managing relationships with stakeholders, cross-functional leads , and team members.
• Deep understanding of real-time, photo-real visuals and a proven ability to work inside game engines.
  
  

Art IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $137,600 - $286,200 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $180,400 - $314,400 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until December 23, 2024.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.