Graphic Designer - Naughty Dog Games (Santa Monica, CA)

Summary:

For over 30 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Our most recent game, The Last of Us Part II, has received over 300 Game of the Year awards and three of our games are among the top 10 highest scored games on the PlayStation

As Graphic Designer, you will contribute to the development and on-going review of the brand identities of Naughty Dog and all our game franchises—past, present, and future. This position will have the opportunity to ensure that a diverse array of digital and physical assets ranging from marketing graphics to merchandising, in-game and real-world, and more, maintaining the high level of quality and consistency that Naughty Dog is known for.

To view this job and apply, click here.

You must be prepared to work across small-scale projects to broad-scale marketing initiatives, balancing multiple priorities and deadlines effectively. The Graphic Designer will require high levels of collaboration and communication across multiple stakeholders and cross-functional teams, all with potentially different objectives.

This is a meaningful role with growth potential in the growing Graphic Design discipline within the Communications Team.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and contribute to the design, content, and production of materials for the Naughty Dog studio and games across a wide variety of mediums and formats, including but not limited to:

  • Digital and web graphics, print and out-of-home ads, logos and branding, PlayStation web and PlayStation Store banners, packaging, licensed goods, and internal communications

• Contribute to the development of brand, visual, and licensing guidelines for the Naughty Dog brand, our portfolio of games, and licensed merchandise

• Review all internally and externally produced assets to ensure brand guidelines are followed, quality expectations are met, and align with the strategic marketing goals

• Distribute assets to Naughty Dog stakeholders including the Communications Team, game leadership, and studio leadership for review and feedback; provide initial feedback; compile feedback from all sources

• Represent Naughty Dog with interactions across multiple PlayStation departments such as Marketing, Creative, Product, and Legal, with external agencies, and other partners to coordinate projects and ensure deliverable deadlines are met on time and at the expected quality

• Build strong working relationships with individuals and teams at Naughty Dog, PlayStation, and outside vendors to complete projects

• Maintain a close understanding of industry design trends and competitive marketing efforts across all relevant mediums, including emergent platforms

• Participate in meetings, internally and externally, providing feedback and constructive dialogue

• Coordinate with legal, ESRB, and other various partners on approvals and feedback on marketing content

• Assist with collecting and capturing in-game content for marketing needs

• Set up and lead meetings as assigned. Other duties may be assigned based on need and/or interest

Requirements & Skills:

• 3+ years of graphic design experience within the videogame industry, entertainment, or an agency environment

• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and other graphic design, layout, and illustration software

• Strong interpersonal, verbal communication, and presentation skills; cultural sensitivity to working with a diverse, international team

• Open and collaborative approach to their work; comfort in a fast-paced organization navigating ambiguity and change

• Experienced in working within guidelines, creative direction, and creative constraints; always looking improvements, opportunities, or to introduce new ideas

• Ability to pitch designs or recommendations to a wide variety of stakeholders inside and outside the studio, understanding their unique need states and motivations

• Undertake the preparation to clearly explain work or recommendations when challenged, especially in high-pressure situations where time is short

• A passion for learning, exploring new techniques and looking for ways to gain new or improve existing skills, unbridled curiosity, and strong critical thinking skills

• Ability to work concurrently on and effectively prioritize a variety of projects, sometimes with competing and overlapping deadlines

• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail

• Be flexible with new ideas, being open to direction, and last-minute changes and challenges

• Self-motivated and deadline cognizant; requires minimal check-ins to carry projects from start to end and meet deadlines

• Proactively researches and pursues ideas for professional development and eager to grow in the role

• Ability to objectively interpret player feedback and make actionable recommendations to the development and marketing teams

• Exceptional design aesthetic, versatility in visual style, and awareness of design trends and innovation

• Experience designing across a wide variety of mediums and formats

• Understanding of design theory, including layout, color, typography, hierarchy, as well as current design trends

Bonus Skills:

• Expert proficiency with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign

• Knowledge of Packaging Design

• Experienced working with licensed products

• Knowledge of Adobe After Effects and or similar motion graphics programs

• Familiarity with working within game engines and related development tools and software, such as Zbrush, Substance, Maya, 3DS Max, etc

As a part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates will be expected to provide a portfolio or demo reel of their work and may be asked to complete an art test.