Art Director

About Pocket Worlds:

At Pocket Worlds, we are building bleeding-edge technology that enables creators to develop the next generation of social experiences. Our flagship platform, Highrise, is where millions of people express themselves, engage in shared experiences, and create deep friendships. Over 40 million people have already joined the world of Highrise, and it's growing faster every day. Through Highrise, we are connecting the world through shared community created experiences and realizing the positive potential of the internet.

About the Role

We are seeking a talented and experienced Art Director to lead and mentor a team of 2D artists while shaping the visual identity of our flagship platform, Highrise. This role will work closely with the leadership team to set and execute the artistic vision, oversee production processes, and ensure the delivery of high-quality assets for features, content, and seasonal updates. Alongside team leadership, you will have opportunities to create standout art assets that define the style of Highrise and resonate with our audience.
The ideal candidate will bring a passion for fashion-forward design, extensive experience in mobile or console gaming, and a history of working on live game teams.

Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership:

  • Manage and mentor a talented team of 2D artists, including scheduling assignments, capacity planning, and providing actionable feedback.

  • Inspire and develop your team by fostering a culture of creativity, growth, and collaboration.

• Artistic Direction:

  • Collaborate with stakeholders to define and execute a cohesive artistic vision for Highrise.

  • Work closely with the Art Director and cross-disciplinary teams to ensure the art aligns with gameplay, technical requirements, and audience expectations.

  • Update and maintain style guides to ensure consistency across internal and external teams.

• Asset Creation:

  • Create high-profile art assets that set the quality bar for the team and inspire innovation in visual design.

  • Oversee the production of art assets, coordinating with external teams and managing outsourcing pipelines.

• Process Management:

  • Develop and improve workflows and tools to maximize efficiency in the art production pipeline.

  • Utilize tools like Jira (or similar) for task planning, tracking, and project management.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• 7+ years of experience in mobile or console game art production, including at least 3 years in a lead or director role on a live game team.

• Exceptional skills in 2D art and a strong portfolio showcasing work that resonates with female audiences and fashion-forward designs.

• Advanced to expert knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

• Proven ability to manage external studios and outsourcing workflows.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with experience collaborating across disciplines.

• Self-direction, proactive problem-solving, and a drive to elevate team and product quality.

Bonuses:

• Graphic design experience and knowledge of UI/UX design.

• Experience with Adobe After Effects and motion graphics.

• Familiarity with mobile games that target a female demographic.

Why work with us:

• Impact: Your work will directly affect millions of users around the world.

• Growth: Your growth isn’t capped by a career ladder. Show us you can deliver the impact, and we’ll respond with recognition and reward.

• Elite team: You’ll be a member of a small and elite team with a lot of freedom to go after opportunities you identify.

• Culture: High trust, high intensity, low process and bureaucracy. We pride ourselves in being a Silicon Valley startup with a laser focus on the mission, and we’ll happily remove all roadblocks in your path to success.

• Office and team: Directly work with the cofounders in our office located in Downtown Austin.

Pocket Worlds Core Values:

• Be an Owner (Not a Renter)

• Experts leading experts

• Always be shipping

• Focus on Impact

• Take every unfair advantage

• Love what you do

Benefits (US Only):

• Meaningful equity - we’re here to do amazing work, and we share in our wins together.

• Equipment allowance - choose what you need to work at your best.

• Healthcare, 401k / pension (US only)

• Unlimited PTO.

• Education/Training stipend - we've set aside a budget for every employee to continue to learn and grow their skills.

Pocket Worlds is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. 

Any communications from Pocket Worlds will only come from an @pocketworlds.com or @everskies.com domain. If you receive any communications, offers, etc. from any other domain, it is likely a scam.