Art Director - Turn 10 Studios

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. 

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.

• 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.