Lead Concept Artist

Zynga • Austin, TX

293d

About The Position

We are seeking a Lead Concept Artist to join our talented team and help refine our creative vision for Hit it Rich!. This position offers the opportunity to lead a team, foster creativity, and craft the visual identity of some of the most engaging and visually spectacular slot games in the industry. As the Lead Concept Artist, you will work closely with the Art Director to build concept art that reinforces and refines the visual style of the game. Your responsibilities will include developing assets such as slot symbols, backgrounds, character designs, and UI elements, as well as coordinating the production of final in-game artwork. In addition to your individual artistic contributions, you will play a key role in mentoring and leading a talented art team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality work and helping to foster an encouraging, collaborative environment.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience as a concept artist, with at least 2 years of leadership experience.
• Proven expertise in Slots Game Concept Art with a strong portfolio showcasing your skills in symbol design, background creation, character drawing, UI design, and color theory.
• Excellent understanding of composition, color theory, and design principles, with the ability to adapt to different art styles.
• Strong rendering skills, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to create high-quality, polished artwork.
• Ability to quickly identify problems in art development and propose effective solutions during pitches, art reviews, and impromptu discussions.
• Exceptional sketching skills, particularly for storyboards and proof-of-concept designs.
• Ability to give precise, constructive, and timely feedback to team members, tailoring support according to their skill levels.
• Collaborative mindset, with strong communication skills to work seamlessly with animators, game designers, and other team members.
• Strong Individual Contributor skills, able to independently deliver concepts that align with the game's vision while maintaining artistic excellence.
• A genuine passion for slot games and an understanding of their mechanics and visual importance in driving player engagement.
• A BFA or equivalent degree in art or a related field is preferred.
• Proficiency in Adobe Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and 3D texturing.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in UI design and high-quality logo creation.
• Expertise in hyper-realistic painting and storyboarding.
• Familiarity with character simplification and stylization.
• Previous experience working with IP/likenesses and creating recognizable designs.
• Passion for casual mobile games and slot game aesthetics.
• Experience integrating assets into Unity is beneficial.
• Knowledge of Substance Painter is a plus.
• A strong understanding of animation principles and the aesthetics of casino games.

Responsibilities

• Provide feedback, guidance, and support to junior and senior artists, while ensuring team collaboration and individual growth.
• Design and produce high-quality assets for slot games, including visually appealing symbols, immersive backgrounds, engaging character designs, UI elements, and animations.
• Create innovative and functional symbol designs that enhance gameplay and fit seamlessly with the game's mechanics and player experience.
• Produce compelling character drawings that align with the game's narrative, ensuring each character feels authentic and contributes to the overall design.
• Work closely with the Art Director, Producer, and other departments (Engineering, Animation, etc.) to ensure alignment across all aspects of the game development process.
• Take full ownership of your work, from initial concepts to final assets, with minimal direction and a strong attention to detail.
• Assist in establishing and maintaining the visual direction for the project, ensuring consistency and high-quality output across all art assets.
• Identify design challenges quickly and propose creative, practical solutions during art reviews, pitches, and collaborative meetings.

Benefits

• World-class benefits package that helps support and balance the needs of our teams.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Publishing Industries
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree