Game Art Lead

Posted Jun 22

Position

SOFTGAMES is the leading developer of the most popular Instant Games including “Bubble Shooter Pro” or "Solitaire Home Story" that both became global top grossing games on Facebook - played by millions of people around the world every day. SOFTGAMES is a remote first company and the virtual home of 100 people from all over the world. We believe in proactive, independent teams with the freedom to take initiative, challenge the status quo, and with the mission to create fun, hyper social and everlasting Instant Games.

We are looking for a Game Art Lead to join SOFTGAMES remotely.

The Game Art Lead is a crucial role in game development, overseeing the art team of a specific game and driving visual excellence. They mentor and guide artists, ensuring high-quality assets and consistency across all disciplines. The Game Art Lead plans and manages art tasks, checks for quality, and reports to the Producer. They foster collaboration and uphold the artistic vision throughout the team, playing a vital role in delivering an exceptional gaming experience.

Your role:

  • You are responsible for leading the entire art team of a game including world art, user Interface, marketing, animation and character design.
  • You delegate tasks and ensure that their team is working efficiently and effectively to meet project goals and timelines.
  • While delegating tasks effectively, you also lead by example, demonstrating your expertise and creativity by producing assets when time allows.
  • You provide guidance and feedback to help team members improve their skills and establish a strong sense of direction and vision for the team.
  • You are responsible for managing the overall quality and output of the art assets produced by the team and take ownership of any issues or delays that arise to resolve them quickly.
  • You provide constructive feedback to team members and work collaboratively with other departments to ensure project success.
  • You set the bar for aesthetic quality across all art disciplines and ensures consistency in the artistic vision throughout the game.
  • You identify areas where improvements can be made and work with the team to implement changes while maintaining the highest quality standards in all disciplines.
  • You have a deep understanding of art processes and workflows to ensure that all assets are optimized for the game and that technical constraints do not compromise the aesthetic quality.
  • You are a key point of contact for the Producer and must effectively communicate the artistic vision and progress to all stakeholders.
  • You take the lead in organizing and conducting art planning meetings to strategize and prioritize artwork for upcoming sprints, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and alignment with project goals.
  • You develop and mentor your team of artists to consistently deliver high-quality assets and maintain consistency across all art disciplines.
  • You act with integrity at all times, establishing and maintaining positive relationships with other departments and stakeholders, and representing the company effectively.

Your profile:

  • You have strong leadership skills to effectively lead and inspire a team of artists.
  • You have proven experience in managing and mentoring artists across various disciplines.
  • You excel in communication and collaboration, working closely with other departments and stakeholders.
  • You have an in-depth understanding of game development processes and its technical aspects and can support the team with your technical knowledge.
  • You are passionate about maintaining high aesthetic standards and ensuring consistency across all art disciplines.
  • You are proficient in providing constructive feedback and guidance to team members for skill improvement..
  • You possess knowledge of art processes, workflows, and optimization techniques to maximize asset quality and performance.
  • You possess strong planning and organizational skills to lead effective artwork planning meetings.
  • You are dedicated to knowledge sharing and fostering a collaborative work environment.
  • You have a proven track record of delivering high-quality art assets on time and within budget.
  • You have experience with ticket management and it’s workflow and can effectively estimate the tickets, check the ticket quality, identify blockers, check in and help the artists when it comes to conflicts with other departments.
  • You uphold integrity and professionalism, representing the company and maintaining positive relationships.
  • You have a minimum of 7+ years of experience in the game development industry.
  • You have contributed to the successful release of at least 5 shipped titles, with senior or lead roles in at least 3 of them.
  • You have a strong portfolio showcasing your expertise and creative contributions.
  • Your portfolio shows a deep appreciation and understanding of casual game styles, ideally embodying a personal house style that aligns with the company's vision and target audience.
  • You stay updated with industry trends, techniques, and best practices.
  • You are self-motivated, proactive, and able to work effectively under tight deadlines.
  • You are highly organized and able to prioritize tasks effectively.
  • You have a positive and collaborative attitude, promoting teamwork and mutual growth.
  • You are adaptable and open to feedback, constantly seeking opportunities for improvement.

Nice to have:

  • Familiarity with Unity game engine for better collaboration with the development team.
  •  Knowledge in 3D modeling software such as Blender to create and optimize assets. And Spine for 2D animations.
  • Open-mindedness towards incorporating AI technologies into art processes for improved efficiency and innovation.
  • Previous experience in managing art outsourcing projects to effectively leverage external resources and expand production capabilities.
  • While a bachelor's degree in art, design, or a related field is preferred, it is not required.

Benefits

SOFTGAMES offers a competitive package, including:

  • Remote first - We have a flexible working setup. Either fully remote wherever you are or on-site in our modern office in central Berlin - You decide.
  • Flexible working hours - Structure your working hours to your needs. No crunch, no overtime!
  • Generous vacation regulation no matter where you are!
  • Home office allowance - Working from home but something is missing? We offer a budget to make your home office as productive as possible.
  • Further Training - Everyone at SOFTGAMES is offered training opportunities to strengthen their skills or learn something new!
  • Studio - We’re a remote-first company but also offer a super modern office with state-of-the-art tech, based in the center of Berlin.
  • Equipment - Choose between a MacBook Pro or Lenovo Laptop.
  • Meal allowances - A monthly budget is additionally granted to be spent for your lunches.
  • Wellness Benefits - Access to Virtual Yoga, Meditation, and more to stay healthy!
  • Monthly extra grant for home office electricity + internet costs.
  • Swag - Enjoy our stylish Hoodies, Bags, Mugs, etc.
  • Christmas gifts - A tradition of unique and rewarding Christmas gifts.
  • Epic company parties - Regular company parties to celebrate, including Carnival, Summer Party, Oktoberfest and Christmas Party.
  • Off-Sites - Twice a year the entire company gets together to learn, share ideas, focus on the future, and celebrate our successes. Our events in general are epic but our off-sides are one of a kind.
  • Team events - We have regular Casual Fridays, virtual Game Nights, Pub Quizzes, Team lunches and much more

About SOFTGAMES

SOFTGAMES is the leading instant gaming company. We develop casual, truly social games that can be played instantly across all devices. Our hypersocial blockbuster game “Bubble Shooter Pro” became a global top grossing game on Facebook and is played by millions of people around the world every day. We partner closely with Facebook, Samsung and more to craft the next generation of instant games that billions of people can play together. SOFTGAMES is a remote first company and the home of 100 people from all over the world. We believe in proactive, independent teams with the freedom to take initiative, challenge the status quo, and with the mission to create fun and everlasting Instant Games.

At SOFTGAMES, we believe that different perspectives and background in our teams contribute to the quality of our work. We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion / worldview, disability, age as well as sexual orientation and identity.

Have we caught your interest? Then we look forward to your detailed application together with your salary expectations and earliest possible start date.