Art Director

Studio Alpha is Microsoft's Serious-Gaming Studio. We are building all-new technology that will enable organizations to simulate and solve hugely complex, planet-scale problems using artificial intelligence run in the Cloud and visualized using the latest in Gaming Technology.
This is an amazing opportunity for someone to join our creative leadership team as a hands-on Art Director, providing realistic 2D/3D concepts and visual direction for our current and future products. Our mission is both challenging and meaningful and we're looking for someone to apply their creative skills to bring the power of the cloud to the world's most difficult problems. Join us and make a difference!ResponsibilitiesPlease note that a portfolio of work is an application requirement for this role
This is a rare chance to get in at the beginning and help shape the foundation of a brand-new business for Microsoft, working alongside industry leading experts from across the breadth of the company.
We're looking for an accomplished creative to focus on producing 2D and 3D concept artwork and to collaborate closely with our creative, design and engineering teams to help bring those visions to life. Artistic excellence is critical, and our new Art Director will be energized by a start-up mentality and adept at turning their hand to a variety of tasks to enhance the products we're developing.
Our preference is for someone with extensive experience in Games or film/TV in an Art Director role, however if you don't quite fit the traditional mold but can prove you're an exceptional artist and a skilled visual leader then please don't let that stop you from applying and enriching our culture!QualificationsRequirements:
You need to inspire and tell complex stories to non-traditional audiences, so we ask for a portfolio of work demonstrating proven artistic ability across 2D and 3D.
We feel experience will be key so we'd like candidates to show at least 2 years spent in a senior position as an Art Director, Senior Concept Artist or in Look Development with a back catalogue of Games/Films/Post Production/Advertising with a senior creative credit.
Useful, but not essential, experience:
We're currently using Unreal, so familiarity with that engine or other commercial game industry engines would be useful.
We are focused on photoreal environments across all scales from individual buildings to the entire globe plus space, so experience around lighting, biome and terrain generation would be valuable along with working knowledge of photogrammetry techniques and pipelines
#StudioAlpha
#MissionEngineering
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