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Design Director
Redmond, WA, US
Job Category: Software Engineering: Creative
Location: Redmond, WA, US
Job ID: 796782-83568
Division: Interactive Entertainment Business
We’re the people that developed Kinect and profoundly changed the way people interact with technology. Now our team is ready to change the world again, but we need your help!
We’re a rapidly growing team of experienced incubators, game developers and user-focused experts working with truly inspiring entertainment technology. We brainstorm exciting and ground-breaking experiences and quickly build working prototypes on top of developing tech. We transform our ideas into reality through shipping first-to-market products.
We are looking for an experienced director who has the passion to create new ways of interacting with technology. This director level position focuses on managing other creative visionaries, solving creative issues, helping reinforce design pillars, and innovating exciting interactive experiences. You push creative thinking in fellow designers, artists, and software developers to create compelling designs and launch new fun and exciting franchises. Working with developing technology means you have to be adaptive, you must be a capable problem solver who is not afraid of big challenges.
Well balanced communication and negotiation skills are essential as you will be motivating, managing, and mentoring a seasoned and highly skilled team of industry professionals.
As the Design Director, you will be working collaboratively with the Creative Director, Art, and Audio Directors, lead designers, developers, and producers to drive and support the vision you help create through all stages of production. You are a leader that is able to present your vision concisely and build excitement within the team.
You thrive in an environment of innovation and excellence.
Candidate Responsibilities:
Develop and maintain a consistent design process and vision working collaboratively with a highly creative team.
Work with designers to create design pillars, as well as write and maintain game design documentation starting from idea inception through concept and implementation.
Evangelize product vision to internal and external partners. Build excitement within the team to help drive quality and creative disruption within your given space.
Takes complete design responsibility and guides it through to completion - seeking out, evaluating and implementing feedback from all relevant sources to constantly improve and refine the title.
Work effectively with the Creative Director, Design Director, Project Managers, and any other key leads to determine project design specifications and to ensure successful product execution.
Maintain a highly-positive proactive work ethic
Identify and procure top industry talent.
Ensure design deliverables meet quality and consistency standards across the team.
Mentor, support and manage the careers of the design staff and respective team members to improve their craft and be successful at Microsoft Studios.
Develops, documents, and evangelizes best-practice design tools and production methodologies across the studio.
Candidate Requirements:
Self-motivated and comfortable dealing with the ambiguity of incubation work.
Has an open-minded approach to design and display the ability to challenge convention. They will be forward thinking and have the flexibility to research and undertake any experience in new spaces.
Passion for games, entertainment, technology, and/or amazing user experiences.
5+ years in the Design Director position, or equivalent experience with at least 3 AAA shipped titles preferred.
Startup experience, first version product, or similar demonstrated background working in a greenfield area.
Thorough understanding of all aspects of internal game development process, from design methodology to craftsmanship and production.
A good ability to understand deep technical problem and help identify solutions or alternate approaches, comfortable with new and unproven technology and knowledge of the latest technological trends.
A comprehensive understanding of games, player behavior, and gameplay mechanics, combined with an ability to identify, analyze and rectify design and gameplay issues.
Is a creative and resourceful problem solver that proactively communicates design goals and can operate and collaborate to the highest standard within the team structure.
Proven track record of managing large teams to success.
Excellent communication, story-telling, and negotiation skills, both verbal and written.
Broad knowledge of the games, entertainment, and the industry trends in technology.
Candidate Bonus Requirements:
Experience developing User Interfaces a plus.
Experience with the Unreal 3 Engine or Unity a plus.
Art background is a plus.
*To consider similar job openings within Microsoft Game Studios on MS Career, use keyword: Microsoft Studios
J2WERPL1
Location: Redmond, WA, US
Job ID: 796782-83568
Division: Interactive Entertainment Business
We’re the people that developed Kinect and profoundly changed the way people interact with technology. Now our team is ready to change the world again, but we need your help!
We’re a rapidly growing team of experienced incubators, game developers and user-focused experts working with truly inspiring entertainment technology. We brainstorm exciting and ground-breaking experiences and quickly build working prototypes on top of developing tech. We transform our ideas into reality through shipping first-to-market products.
We are looking for an experienced director who has the passion to create new ways of interacting with technology. This director level position focuses on managing other creative visionaries, solving creative issues, helping reinforce design pillars, and innovating exciting interactive experiences. You push creative thinking in fellow designers, artists, and software developers to create compelling designs and launch new fun and exciting franchises. Working with developing technology means you have to be adaptive, you must be a capable problem solver who is not afraid of big challenges.
Well balanced communication and negotiation skills are essential as you will be motivating, managing, and mentoring a seasoned and highly skilled team of industry professionals.
As the Design Director, you will be working collaboratively with the Creative Director, Art, and Audio Directors, lead designers, developers, and producers to drive and support the vision you help create through all stages of production. You are a leader that is able to present your vision concisely and build excitement within the team.
You thrive in an environment of innovation and excellence.
Candidate Responsibilities:
Develop and maintain a consistent design process and vision working collaboratively with a highly creative team.
Work with designers to create design pillars, as well as write and maintain game design documentation starting from idea inception through concept and implementation.
Evangelize product vision to internal and external partners. Build excitement within the team to help drive quality and creative disruption within your given space.
Takes complete design responsibility and guides it through to completion - seeking out, evaluating and implementing feedback from all relevant sources to constantly improve and refine the title.
Work effectively with the Creative Director, Design Director, Project Managers, and any other key leads to determine project design specifications and to ensure successful product execution.
Maintain a highly-positive proactive work ethic
Identify and procure top industry talent.
Ensure design deliverables meet quality and consistency standards across the team.
Mentor, support and manage the careers of the design staff and respective team members to improve their craft and be successful at Microsoft Studios.
Develops, documents, and evangelizes best-practice design tools and production methodologies across the studio.
Candidate Requirements:
Self-motivated and comfortable dealing with the ambiguity of incubation work.
Has an open-minded approach to design and display the ability to challenge convention. They will be forward thinking and have the flexibility to research and undertake any experience in new spaces.
Passion for games, entertainment, technology, and/or amazing user experiences.
5+ years in the Design Director position, or equivalent experience with at least 3 AAA shipped titles preferred.
Startup experience, first version product, or similar demonstrated background working in a greenfield area.
Thorough understanding of all aspects of internal game development process, from design methodology to craftsmanship and production.
A good ability to understand deep technical problem and help identify solutions or alternate approaches, comfortable with new and unproven technology and knowledge of the latest technological trends.
A comprehensive understanding of games, player behavior, and gameplay mechanics, combined with an ability to identify, analyze and rectify design and gameplay issues.
Is a creative and resourceful problem solver that proactively communicates design goals and can operate and collaborate to the highest standard within the team structure.
Proven track record of managing large teams to success.
Excellent communication, story-telling, and negotiation skills, both verbal and written.
Broad knowledge of the games, entertainment, and the industry trends in technology.
Candidate Bonus Requirements:
Experience developing User Interfaces a plus.
Experience with the Unreal 3 Engine or Unity a plus.
Art background is a plus.
*To consider similar job openings within Microsoft Game Studios on MS Career, use keyword: Microsoft Studios
J2WERPL1
Want to apply?
Apply online at:http://www.microsoft-careers.com/job/Redmond-Design-Director-IEB-Microsoft-Studios-%28796782%29-Job-WA-98052/1955833/