Art Lead, Animation
Seattle, WA
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage a small team of character animators in the creation of compelling, emotional movement for a 3D next generation action game.
- Responsible for animating 3D character models with motion capture data and key-framing, including facial expressions and lip syncing.
- Create and maintain animation guideline documents and coordinate with animators to see that they are always informed and current with best practices.
- Help create and maintain a schedule and an efficient production pipeline.
- Work closely with the Art Director, Game Designer, and level designers to help create the style, represent limitations, and maintain artistic standards.
- Work with engineering, Lead Character Artist, and Sr. Technical Artist in developing proper technical requirements and tool enhancements as related to animation (rigging, physics setup, AI, etc.).
- Responsible for coordinating the needs for custom environmental animations.
Job Qualifications:
- Minimum 2 to 3 years professional experience with an emphasis in character key-frame animation. Experience with lip sync tools/rigging a plus.
- Preferred 2-year 2D/3D art or animation degree with excellent fundamental art skills and critique skills. Prefer an emphasis in human anatomy, 2D and/or 3D animation.
- Have a strong understanding of human motion, acting, and character development, with a keen eye for knowing when success is best achieved through exaggeration and when to exact subtlety.
- A strong interest in learning future techniques as they relate to game and film digital animation.
- Excellent 3DS Max or Maya knowledge. Motion builder, tool, and scripting skills are a plus.
- Art scheduling and personnel management experience.
- Ability to work well under pressure and within deadlines.
- Exceptional organization, written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong interest in video games.
JOS000000500