This individual will engage with a current team to work cross functionally to develop a market-ready product. The program manager will work with product management, user experience, interaction design, development/engineering, product marketing, testing, and many other areas to achieve the goal of releasing web- and software-based products. Experience in all the core aspects of bringing a product to market is a major plus.

This individual must possess high initiative and have the ability to work in a strong team environment. This role requires excellent communication, writing and organizational skills, in addition to being able to manage deadlines and deliverables, and to effectively direct the efforts of a cross-functional team. The ideal candidate has experience in both consumer facing web products and enterprise software products, with a strong eye towards usability in both fields. This individual should possess solid business skills plus a basic technical understanding of features and functionality. Previous coding experience is not required for this position. Please note, for this particular project, there are two program mangers assigned.

Job Responsibilities:
1) Drive day-to-day team management, including engineering and user experience teams through to feature delivery.
2) Work with the user experience, interaction design, and visual design teams to obtain consensus on the design of features and functionality included in the product.
3) Work closely with the user experience and interaction design teams to drive creation of navigation models, wireframes, visual design, and user scenarios.
4) Manage a prioritized backlog of user stories and provide acceptance criteria/specifications to the teams for each user story as required.
5) Manage the overall project scope, schedule and resources.
6) Be a tremendous advocate for the end user of the products.
7) Effectively manage project risks, issues, and assumptions with a clear understanding of when to escalate.
Work with privacy, legal, and security teams to ensure the product meets all needed requirements.

Qualifications:

• Looking for someone with experience at “the largest software company in the world”
• 3+ years of program/project management experience.
• Experience working directly with user experience, interaction design, and visual design teams.
• BA/BS required in a related field or equivalent.
• Detail oriented with the ability to effectively manage project scope, schedule, and resourcing.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to coordinate data from a variety of sources.
• Team player with good interpersonal skills who is able to perform well under pressure.
• Knowledge of the health care market, specifically hospital and/or physician practice work flows is preferred.
• Familiarity with the Agile development methodology is preferred.

Please send resumes to agarber (at) aquent (dot) 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 mid-September

VISUAL DESIGNER
Responsibilities:

The visual designer is responsible for defining the look and feel of different user interfaces for phone applications and/or 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.

To apply, send resume and portfolio to agarber (at) aquent (dot) com

Our client has an immediate need for a Silverlight developer for a contract position on the eastside. You must have strong Silverlight, XAML, and Blend skills with the ability to identify and squash bugs. The right candidate will have an eye for design – you aren’t a designer, but can edit functional prototypes that match the original vision of the designer.

This is  a fast-moving, high-pressure team working on a very cool, top-secret technology.  You should work quickly and efficiently, have a strong work ethic, and be very flexible to shifting needs.  Experience working with developers – a strong understanding of their communication style, standard work environment, etc – a huge plus.

To apply, please send resume to agarber (at) aquent (dot) com

Enjoy!

Our client is looking for a talented, motivated and experienced FX Artist. This is a rare opportunity to join a seasoned, creatively driven team on an exciting next-generation project. Qualified individuals are expected to communicate and collaborate well throughout a development team. Candidates will have a proven track record in creating a broad range of mind blowing visual FX for AAA games. Be well versed in programs like Photoshop and Maya, XSI, or equivalent program, as well as demonstrate experience with current console FX creation techniques like particles, shader development, and rigid body dynamics.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The FX Artist is responsible to create dynamic and atmospheric VFX in-game.
• To create FX that conforms to the technical guidelines of the target platform
• The FX Artist is responsible to seek feedback from his peers and leads.
• Participate in meetings and reviews, as part of effective communication with the team.
• The FX Artist is responsible to follow direction from their Lead and Director
• Give appropriate feedback to improve the creative process in a collaborative environment and be a positive and creative force in the team.
• Will capably and consistently meet project deadlines and milestones set by project leads and Art Director.

REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• AA/BFA preferred, or at least can demonstrate through portfolio an industry standard level of art.
• 6+ years as professional artist or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of at least one current console generation title.
• Proficient with standard industry tools like Maya, XSI, and Photoshop, with a high capacity to learn new tools.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of next gen processes and techniques in your portfolio. Including, 3D shaders, lighting, and particle FX.
• Use with the Unreal 3 Engine or CryEngine a plus
• Passion for the industry and an understanding of market trends and styles
• Understanding of the development process
• Have a proactive work ethic, capable problem solver who is not afraid of big challenges.

To apply, please send resume and portfolios to agarber (at) aquent (dot) com

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The UI Artist is responsible to design and implement dynamic interfaces including, HUD, and menus.
• To create art that conforms to the technical guidelines of the target platform
• The UI Artist is responsible to seek feedback from his peers and leads.
• Participate in meetings and reviews, as part of effective communication with the team.
• The UI Artist is responsible to follow direction from their Lead and Director
• Give appropriate feedback to improve the creative process in a collaborative environment and be a positive and creative force in the team.
• Will capably and consistently meet project deadlines and milestones set by project leads and Art Director.

REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• AA/BFA preferred, or at least can demonstrate through portfolio an industry standard level of art.
• 3+ years as professional artist or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of at least one current console generation title.
• Proficient with standard industry tools like Maya, XSI, and Photoshop, with a high capacity to learn new tools.
• Use with the Unreal 3 Engine or CryEngine a plus
• Passion for the industry and an understanding of market trends and styles
• Understanding of the game development process
• Have a proactive work ethic, capable problem solver who is not afraid of big challenges

To apply, please send resume and portfolios to agarber(at) aquent (d0t) com

Requirements
5-7 years graphic/user interface design experience required. Must have a proven record designing and managing complete projects with consistent, cohesive and appropriate designs at a professional quality level. Must work to ensure that all design elements follow the brand identity guidelines. Some basic knowledge of HTML may be required. Portfolio review required. Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or Design may be required.

To apply, please send resume and portfolios to agarber(at) aquent (d0t) com

While many of us can create something that looks good in Photoshop or attractive when spliced into CSS, but do we actually understand the design theory behind what we create? Theory is the missing link for many un-trained but otherwise talented designers. Here are 50 excellent graphic design theory lessons to help you understand the ‘Whys’, not just the ‘Hows’.

Good read!

Follow the three W’s – who you are, what you do, why I should read your resume.  I want to know your name and job title, what you do, and why you think you are a good fit.  That’s it.

Brevity, please. I am a recruiter with a full in box and a busy phone.  I want no more than an opening line, a paragraph, and a closing sentence or two.  That said, I don’t want a one sentence cover letter either – “Because I’m right person for this role” isn’t going to cut it.
Nothing personal… ever.  It’s a hard time for job seekers right now and you aren’t going to gain any favor by talking about your financial woes.  If anything, it will make me, as a recruiter, uncomfortable and less likely to respond.  And, unless you know me or are a referral from an existing candidate, please leave your spouses or relationships out of the cover.

Use humor very carefully.  I love a good giggle, but my tolerance for humor in cover letters is minimal.  Dry humor is good.  Obvious jokes are bad.

Nothing makes me want to hit the delete key faster than attitude or bravado.  Sure, you have 10 years of industry experience and have performed more than a few miracles, but let your resume and your accomplishments speak for themselves.

Proper spelling, grammar, punctuation and please make sure you are addressing the right company and the right role.  I can’t tell you how often I get cover emails addressing the wrong person, company or referencing a position I don’t have open.  It makes you look sloppy, disorganized, and like you are applying for everything.  Not exactly qualities most recruiters are looking for in a candidate.

Please, no cliches. If I had a nickel for every time I read “strong attention to detail, good cross-team collaboration, excellent communication skills, fast learner…”.  We assume everyone has those skills and if you don’t, you probably won’t be honest about it anyway.

A good sample email cover for someone with experience:

I have over 15 years of experience including ten on the (product) account at (company).  I won several awards for some of the television and print ads and wrote the (product’s) hugely successful theme-line: (theme-line).  I also designed and art directed (product’s) brochures for four years. Before that I worked at (company) on a wide variety of retail accounts as Creative Director, primarily focusing on television.

A good sample cover for a candidate with less experience:

My skill set includes complete proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver and (X)HTML with a focus on web design.  As my portfolio demonstrates, I have completed several freelance projects for a variety of small clients and am excited to expand my experience into the corporate realm.  This would be an exceptional opportunity for me to continue to grow as a designer and, in return, I will bring a lot of enthusiasm, energy, and creativity to the team.  Thank you for your consideration!