Art Director

Art Director

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Gram Games

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the artistic direction for Merge Dragons! and manage a creative team.
  • Company: Join Gram Games, part of Zynga & Take-Two Interactive, known for innovative mobile games.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, private medical care, company bonuses, and an onsite chef.
  • Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for growth and a vibrant team culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative environment with ownership and autonomy.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in game art, strong Unity knowledge, and excellent communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.

Gram Games is the studio behind popular titles like 1010!, Six!, Merge Dragons!, and Merge Magic!, with more exciting projects in the pipeline. We are proudly part of the Zynga & Take‑Two Interactive family. We do things differently here: we work in small self‑managing teams, giving you an incredible amount of ownership, autonomy, and impact. At Gram, everyone is expected to have a razor‑sharp focus on creating a tangible impact on their team, their work environment, and on the overall company strategy. If you are motivated by autonomy, constant improvement, collaboration, and a sense of belonging, this is the place for you.

Position Overview: We are seeking a visionary Art Director to join our Studio Leadership Team and spearhead the artistic direction of Merge Dragons! In this key role, you will be responsible for defining the strategy and owning the art direction. As an experienced leader, you possess a nuanced understanding of leadership, communication, and production practices. You excel at optimising engagement and quality within your team, all while fostering a collaborative environment rooted in the culture and values of Gram Games. A natural strategic thinker, you have the ability to forecast the future of art creation and translate complex strategies into achievable, high‑impact tactical plans. Your expertise will ensure the predictable delivery of art features, technology, and updates, ensuring our creative strategy is always matched by effective and consistent execution. At Gram we embrace a hybrid work environment. Within this role, you would work 2 days per week in our London office and the remaining days at home.

What You’ll Do:

  • Lead the end‑to‑end visual direction for Merge Dragons!, from pre‑production through to live operations
  • Define the art strategy and tactical plans, ensuring the predictable delivery of high‑quality assets and technical features
  • Manage and mentor the art leadership team, fostering a high‑performance culture focused on growth, morale, and Gram Games’ values
  • Collaborate with Product, Design, and Tech Art to translate complex systems into intuitive, scalable UI/UX solutions within Unity
  • Oversee production pipelines and outsourcing partnerships, ensuring creative goals are met within technical and performance constraints
  • Present the art vision and project updates with gravitas to the wider organization and studio leadership
  • Evaluate and integrate emerging trends and technologies—including AI tools—to optimize the art pipeline and maintain a competitive edge

What You Bring:

  • Proven Leadership: A track record of leading art teams for games, through the full development lifecycle—from early concepting to live operations
  • Engine Expertise: Strong working knowledge of Unity pipelines and a clear understanding of how to align artistic vision with technical performance targets
  • Cross‑Discipline Collaboration: The ability to turn complex game systems into clear, player‑centric experiences through close partnership with Engineering and Design
  • Artistic Fundamentals: Mastery of colour theory, lighting, and composition, and the ability to apply these fundamentals to influence the game’s overall direction
  • Strategic Mindset: “Outside‑the‑box” thinking regarding new art features and a proactive approach to solving production challenges
  • Communication Skills: Experience creating supporting materials (style guides, mood boards, etc.) to clearly articulate art direction to internal and external departments
  • Positive Energy: An energetic, “can‑do” attitude that inspires peers and fosters a collaborative atmosphere

Bonus Points:

  • Experience within the mobile gaming sector
  • Proven experience leading UI/UX direction for a shipped title
  • A portfolio that demonstrates both high‑level UI visual quality and deep UX thinking
  • Experience creating and maintaining robust UI design systems

What We Offer You:

  • Highly competitive salary
  • Private medical care
  • Company bonus scheme
  • Awesome onsite chef serving breakfast, lunch, and lots of treats (naughty and nice)
  • Life insurance and a favorable pension scheme
  • Healthcare cash plan including dental and optical coverage
  • Amazing tech to work with and consoles to play and relax with everywhere you look!

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, which means we are committed to creating and celebrating diverse thoughts, cultures, and backgrounds throughout our organization. Employment with us is based on substantive ability, objective qualifications, and work ethic – not an individual’s race, creed, color, religion, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence or sex offences, reproductive health decision, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing the necessary support and accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities, health conditions, or impairments (subject to any local qualifying requirements) to ensure their full participation in the job application or interview process. Please contact us at jobs@gram.gs to request any accommodations or for support related to your application for an open position.

Art Director employer: Gram Games

At Gram Games, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to take ownership of their projects. As an Art Director in our London studio, you will enjoy a hybrid work environment, competitive salary, and exceptional benefits, including private medical care and a company bonus scheme. With a strong focus on collaboration and personal growth, we provide ample opportunities for you to make a meaningful impact while working alongside passionate individuals in the exciting mobile gaming industry.
Gram Games

Contact Detail:

Gram Games Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Art Director

✨Tip Number 1

Get your portfolio in tip-top shape! Make sure it showcases your best work and highlights your leadership skills. Tailor it to reflect the artistic direction you envision for projects like Merge Dragons!.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. Share your insights on art direction and trends, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current Gram Games employees for a chat.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview by understanding Gram's culture and values. Think about how your vision aligns with their approach to autonomy and collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you can make a tangible impact!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Gram Games family. Don’t miss out!

We think you need these skills to ace Art Director

Leadership
Art Direction
Unity Expertise
Cross-Discipline Collaboration
Colour Theory
Lighting
Composition
Strategic Thinking
Communication Skills
UI/UX Design
Production Management
Mentoring
Creative Problem-Solving
Trend Evaluation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Creative Spark: When you're applying for the Art Director role, let your creativity shine through! Share your portfolio that showcases not just your best work, but also your unique artistic vision and how it aligns with our projects at Gram Games.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your leadership experience and how you've successfully managed art teams in the past—this will show us you’re the right fit!

Be Authentic: We love a bit of personality! Don’t be afraid to let your true self come through in your written application. Share your passion for gaming and art, and how you envision contributing to the culture and values at Gram Games.

Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of getting noticed, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Gram Games

✨Know Your Art Direction Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into Gram Games' existing titles, especially Merge Dragons!. Understand their art style, themes, and what makes them unique. Be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with their current projects and how you can elevate their artistic direction.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led art teams in the past. Highlight specific challenges you faced and how you fostered a collaborative environment. This will demonstrate your ability to manage and mentor effectively, which is crucial for the role.

✨Be Ready to Discuss Technical Knowledge

Brush up on your knowledge of Unity pipelines and how they relate to art production. Be prepared to explain how you can align artistic vision with technical performance targets, as this is key to ensuring high-quality asset delivery.

✨Bring Your Positive Energy

Gram Games values a 'can-do' attitude, so let your enthusiasm shine through during the interview. Share your passion for game design and how you inspire your peers. A positive vibe can make a lasting impression!

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