Designs and creates visual assets in a multimedia title in 3D character modeling (especially with avatar costumes) and FX in lighting/shading. Works with team members to achieve a cohesive style. Creates conceptual art work. May provide direction to other 3D artists and direct the animation of models.

3-5+ years related work experience required. Extensive knowledge of graphic software (i.e. Photoshop) and 3D modeling software (i.e. Maya, 3D StudioMax) required. Strong knowledge of web technologies (i.e. HTML, CSS) and/or web design may be required. Conceptual sketching skills required. Must have the ability to ensure photo-realism. Portfolio review required. Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Architecture or related field and/or related work experience preferred. Experience with shipped titles required.

REQUIRED SKILLS (Non-negotiable. No exceptions. No kidding.)

• Proficiency creating 3D characters in XSI, 3D Max, and/or Maya
• Low-poly and high-poly modeling expertise
• Experience with, and examples of, normal maps
• At least 1 current, published colsole game title
• At least 1 year of professional 3D experience
• Portfolio (duh)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• 6-12 month, full-time, W-2 contract positions located in Redmond, WA
• Not eligible for telecommute or offsite work
• Fomes with full benefits including a low premium, zero-deductible health care plan, 401(k) plan, dental, vision, and bonus paid time.

TO APPLY Please send resume (Word or PDF, please; both, if possible!) and portfolio to mbennett@aquent.com

To view our other openings in design, marketing, technical communications, and project management, please visit http://jobs.aquent.com/

The team is looking to fill two roles – an Interaction Designer to do interaction design/visual design for phones and a Visual Designer  for phone interfaces and web properties.

Interface design, icon design, animation prototypes are typical daily responsibilities.

The ideal candidate is excited about working hands-on as part of a team creating visual and interaction solutions for mobile products. You inspire others to maintain a high standard of quality and positively influence how great user-centered design impacts product development. In a rapidly evolving product space, you view unforeseen changes as opportunities, and championing design excellence while incorporating real world limitations which include business alignment. You will also reach out to other groups within the division to communicate design opportunities, always keeping a pulse on ways to refine and innovate in the product space. You are detail-focused, organized and have excellent communication skills.

The position requires a strong design background in visual and interaction design and a portfolio of work demonstrating the range of experience. Must be proficient in industry standard visualization and prototyping tools, and capable of owning large initiatives in a proactive environment.

Each position will go for 1 year starting in 1 month

VISUAL DESIGNER

Responsibilities
The visual designer is responsible for defining the look and feel of different user interfaces for mobile applications and/or the mobile web properties. This role requires strong and flexible skills in visual design, interactive design and awareness of client-side technologies. Substantial understanding of user interface issues and information architecture is also important.

Participation in project ideation; graphics development; ability to take art direction and constructive criticism; ability to manage and estimate personal time outlays for each project; working with PMs and developers to implement designs into final products.

Job Requirements

• Requires strong and flexible skills in visual design and interactive design.
• Exhibits stylistic breadth, attention to detail, and balances beauty, innovation and usability
• Substantial understanding of user interface issues and information architecture is also important.
• 2-4 years of professional design/new media experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Solid understanding of practical benefits and limitations of Internet technologies (Shockwave, Flash, Java, DHTML, CGI, etc.).

Interested candidates should present a body of work that…

• Demonstrates a passion for interactive content development
• Exhibits stylistic breadth, attention to detail, and balances beauty, innovation and usability
• Shows experience with diverse content
• Proves their facility with page-based design (HTML) and screen-based interface design (Flash, etc.)

INTERACTION DESIGNER

Responsibilities

• Responsible for designing user interfaces for mobile devices , designing and animating prototypes using Flash or After Effects it’s a must.
• Design and specify user interfaces and information architecture using participatory and iterative design techniques, including observational studies, customer interviews, usability testing, and other forms of requirements discovery.
• Familiar interpreting mock ups, task analysis, usability studies, personas, user flows, wireframes, style guides, navigational structures, and affinity diagrams and translating them to user interfaces.
• Able to generate design ideas, presenting and selling designs to product group, understanding customer needs and motivations and integrates them into product design to contribute to user features and functionality.
• Industrial design modeling or knowledge a plus.
• Participate as a contributor to an interdisciplinary team that includes other designers, project management, business and brand strategists, and hardware and software developers.

Job Requirements

• At least two year of user interface design experience and a Masters degree in Human-Computer Interaction or a related design or behavioral science discipline.
• Strong knowledge of user interface design processes and methodology, particularly as applied to Mobile-based applications.
• Proficiency with design and prototyping tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash or After Effects, Visio, and Dreamweaver.
• Knowledge of capabilities and limitations of Web technologies such as HTML, JavaScript, Flash, and CSS is a plus
• Excellent communication and organization skills. Must be able to work both on a team and independently.

If interested, please send me your resume and portfolio at: mbennett@aquent.com

Position: Hotel Content Editor
Pay: $14/hr.
Duration: 8 months

The Hotel Content Editor is responsible for creating, loading, and updating partner hotel descriptions, called infosites, in a timely manner and in accordance with in-house style and product requirements.

Responsibilities

• Create, load, and fact-check descriptive text for 30–40 infosites per week, on both Expedia and hotels.com
• Work on the change request queue, to edit existing infosite content
• Handle other writing tasks as assigned
• Be well-versed in Hotel Content style guidelines for both brands and vigilant in employing them

Qualifications

• Excellent writing, spelling, and grammar skills, with strong attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills, self-direction, and drive
• Excellent quality-control ability and organizational abilities
• Ability to be flexible and responsive to shifting priorities
• Proven ability to resolve a high volume of work in a deadline-driven environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook required
• Hotel-industry experience and travel experience a plus
• Ability to read, write, or speak a foreign language a plus

Work Experience and Education Guidelines

• At least one year of editorial experience, preferably with e-commerce content development
• Journalism, English, or related degree preferred

If interested, please send me your resume and portfolio at: mbennett@aquent.com

Our client (the largest software company in the world) needs someone to join a team looking at where technology might be in the next decade.  They are seeking an experiencd After Effects designer/developer with strong Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash and ActionScripting skills to help paint a picture of what productivity might look like in 10 years.  This person will base their work off internal and external research, and can expect their deliverables to be prominent and impactful within the company and to external audiences world-wide.  Candidate will work closely with designers and developers, and will have a lot of creativity and flexibility.  Should be able to take close direction from designers, as the team already have a clear sense of direction from design.

Work includes high profile animations and demos, some of which are related to the upcoming launch of new installations in an executive briefing center. Animations will be included in a physical installation within the executive briefing center. Also animation for signage + other things. Responsible for designing and implementing non-linear, animated sequences using a variety of multimedia authoring tools. Should have debugging and design skills pertaining to UI layouts, including creation of mock products which look and feel like a real program. Acts as consultant to other team leads to evangelize the capabilities of ActionScripting and other multimedia authoring tools.

Required Skills

• Expert knowledge in After Effects, Flash, Photoshop and Illustrator
• Familiarity with Microsoft Windows
• Expressions helpful, but not required
• Must enjoy solving technical and creative challenges
• Proactive, diligent and flexible
• Experience in UX roles (including wireframe prototyping and walk-throughs) would be ideal

Additional Information
3 plus years work related experience required. Experience with object-oriented programming and interactive scripting languages (i.e. Flash/ActionScripting, Director/Lingo Scripting, JavaScript) may be required. Experience with web technologies (i.e. XML, XSL, CSS, DHTML, etc.) required. Must have experience consulting on high-level projects and acting as the authoring lead. Experience working with other team leads to integrate Flash and/or Lingo into a shipped product preferred. Must have excellent design sensibilities and understanding of the design and production processes. Strong project management skills preferred. Portfolio review required. Bachelor’s degree in multimedia or related field required.

Candidate will be responsible for designing prototypes for usability testing, and revising prototypes based on usability feedback.  Will also write functionality design specifications, design and implement prototypes, mock ups, task analysis, usability studies, personas, user flows, wireframes, style guides, navigational structures and affinity diagrams.  Candidate will need to demonstrate the ability to generate design ideas, present and sell designs to product group, understand customer needs and motivations and integrate them into product design to contribute to user features and functionality.  Will act as consultant to other team leads and may manage external production and design resources.

Additional Information

2-3 years of Blend/XAML desired, prior work with designers, aptitude for design, strong collaborator.  Would like to see a diverse portfolio during the interview process. Must have strong visual design – able to work closely with UX team and within their guidelines for overall design direction. Creation/update of visual prototypes, significant interaction with cross-org teams, design reviews, possible interaction with global dev teams. Collaborate with business, engineering, UX to create paper/interactive prototypes based on user scenarios and/or user work flows. Work with user research to support capture of user feedback and subsequent iteration of designs.

If interested, please send me your resume and portfolio at: mbennett@aquent.com