Gaming Art Animation Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Konami Gaming is looking for a Senior Art Designer to join our team!

This onsite position is responsible for researching, designing, and developing illustration and animation for casino slot games, including game theme, characters, UI and symbols. This includes determining and implementing the style, technique and medium best suited to produce desired effect while conforming to production requirements. Mentors and trains other art staff. Is a specialist in at least one artistic area. This position works directly with the Game Design and Software Engineering teams and works with direction and guidance from Art Design Management. This position also requires the flexibility to act autonomously at all times while adhering to overall department and company policies and procedures.

What you'll be doing:

• Creates and/or enhances drawings, illustrations, game themes, characters, symbols, and effects.
• Creates computer-generated animation of UI, symbols, effects, and/or characters.
• Using strong graphic design skill, provides 2D and/or 3D user interface screens and information/instruction graphics for incorporation into final games. Provides high-resolution art assets for print teams' utilization.
• Collaborates with Game Designer and Manager to finalize artwork for each project. Provides artwork for review at appropriate stages, and applies feedback accordingly with quick turnaround.
• Prepares data for in-game implementation, working within production requirements in collaboration with other artists, tech artists, and engineers. Modifies game art under tight deadlines. Understands full range of game types products, and platforms. Can complete complex data setup of complex game art parts, and use new techniques, products, and platforms.
• Follows company art direction and production pipeline. Directly contributes to improving both.
• Highly proficient in development process for game art development, and can initiate process improvements. Can handle large projects in relatively short timeframe.
• Aligns each game's art creation with the functional spec/graphic proposal, including conceptual art and storyboards. Creates graphics visually reinforcing game rule and game flow. Identifies and executives cost effective, effort maximizing use of tools/techniques.
• Analyzes Konami and competitor products and field performance in the field from a player's perspective to find industry trends, consider players in art design, and discern which art approaches are most effective to appeal to gamblers. Expert in art and game rule of many competitors' and Konami's hit titles, and what makes successful/unsuccessful game art that supports game rule. Understands and applies industry art design standards and art requirements. Can project future trends, and drive Konami's art to lead the way. Initiates and leads individual and group field research. This involves the following:
  • Attending field research trips to casinos monthly or as required. Researching via online methods (e.g., YouTube) to build familiarity with the industry. Attends and provides input on follow-up team analysis discussions.
  • Attend G2E and other tradeshows or conferences as needed.
• Motivates, guides, and trains other art designers in fine art, technique, and industry knowledge building. Can avoid direction leading to repeat trial and error. Supports others' problem-solving.
• Reports to Manager any discrepancies or problems requiring resolution.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Konami Offers

• Competitive Wages
• Great 401(k) plan with company match
• Comprehensive health benefits package
• Generous Company paid Holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Tuition reimbursement program

About Konami Gaming, Inc.:

For Players. For Operators. For Each Other.

Konami Gaming, Inc. entered the US gaming market in the 2000s and we have spent the last two decades moving the industry forward with breakthrough games, head turning cabinets, and a casino management system that brings it all together. Over that time, we have garnered our share of awards and established a corporate culture of success and innovation.

A world leader in systems and game development, Konami can offer you the best of both worlds - stability within a dynamic, creative environment. We are excited to announce that Konami Gaming Inc. is growing and expanding into new product lines, including premium and standard games, and new market segments. As we enter a new growth period for the Company, we are expanding our reach to attract top talent in game studio operations, technology and product development.

What we'll want you to have:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Art, Animation or similar field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Master's Degree and art-related certifications or awards desirable.
• 8-11 years art development experience working with game designers and developers in the slot gaming industry (5-7 years if Master's Degree).
• Expert life drawing skills and experience.
• Fluent understanding of slot game art standards (theme, color, and gaming symbols).
• Ability to communicate professionally and efficiently, both verbal and written with all levels of the business.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Gaming licensure(s).
• Expert technical understanding of game development and art pipeline.
• Photoshop experience required; After Effects, Illustrator, Animate, Maya, and Unity experience desirable.
• Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods.

Additional Requirements:

• Position must attend monthly Field Research trips to casinos, tradeshows, or as needed. Must be able to tolerate areas containing varying noise and temperature levels, illumination, vibration, crowds, and air quality. Must be able to tolerate areas containing secondhand smoke.
• Minimal travel necessary. 0-10%, or as business requires. Employee must be flexible to the travel needs of the business. Must possess a valid driver's license.

Work Environment:

• Full-time/40+ hours per week onsite. Must be flexible to work overtime, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Must be comfortable working in an area with limited working space for long hours with the ability to remain seated at computer terminal for extended periods of time. Extreme repetitive motion using keyboard, mouse, and telephone. Must be able to work at assigned location to enable direct communications and interactions with team members, management, and others as necessary, unless traveling for a business-related purpose.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a high-stress, fast-paced, and high-pressure environment while maintaining high standards of accuracy, paying attention to detail, and meeting assigned deadlines. Demonstrates high integrity, trust, and strict confidentiality. Ability to maintain excellent communication and a positive, respectful, and professional attitude and relationship with clients, employees, peers, co-workers, all levels of management, and all outside organizations conducting business or otherwise interacting with the company. Ability to always act autonomously while adhering to overall department and company policies and procedures.
• Position shall work primarily in a smoke free office environment. The noise level is low to moderate. Position shall maintain a cubicle or office in close proximity to other cubicles and offices.

Konami Gaming is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified employees and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call 702-616-1400 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.