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Summary
In my work, I strive to produce unique and delightful experiences that can be enjoyed by a wide audience. I enjoy the process of crafting compelling visual journeys that are intuitive, memorable and emotive; delivering these aspirations within technical and environmental constraints. Through the natural development of interactive games, I play with tactility, motion, light, color and spatial design. Attention to detail is something that I hold dearly to my heart.
I am the Studio Art Director of Maxis (A division of Electronic Arts) and report directly to the studio head. I am responsible for the visual direction and quality across multiple projects within the studio in Emeryville, CA, and our sister studio in Shanghai.
My role at Maxis is geared towards ideation, partnering with the Creative Director to define product vision, to nurture ideas, and bring concepts to production. I work closely with multi-discipline teams of producers, product managers, engineers, designers, UX/UI and 3D artists/animators; defining tasks and goals to realize the product vision.
Through my 15 years of industry experience, I have had a very broad exposure to products of different genres with diverse target audiences.
Away from work, I live life to the full. Having recently moved to the San Francisco Bay Area from London, my family and I are discovering new adventures all the time. When not playing dad, I am a keen road cyclist, soccer player, moviegoer, and life-long lover of video games - mostly mobile games nowadays but FIFA always brings me back to the living room TV.
Education
Bachelor's Degree, Product Design, 2:1
London South Bank University, London, UK - 1993 -1997.
Experience
Studio Art Director
Electronic Arts (Maxis Emeryville) - Oct 2013 > Present.
Unannounced PC and Mobile Titles
- Overall art direction of products produced at the Emeryville studio.
- Product Conception, Defining Vision, User Experience Design, Rapid Prototyping.
- Communication to the wider team and presenting at senior executive level.
- Visual consulting on projects across the EA Maxis label.
- Working alongside marketing to develop product branding.
- Directing internal and off-site art teams (Emeryville and Shanghai).
- Mentoring/managing art directors and senior artists.
UI Art Director
Electronic Arts (Maxis Emeryville) - Sept 2011 > Oct 2013.
The Sims 4 (PC) - 4 months.
- Consulted on general art direction for the game (already in production).
- Helped define the look and feel of the UI, including game entry and in-game HUD.
- Steer the visual quality of the 3D environments.
SimCity 2013 (PC) - 1 year, 4 months.
- Overall UI art direction and presentation.
- UX direction on game entry and other in-game elements.
- Directed marketing assets for online, packaging, promotions and DLC.
SimCity Social (Facebook) - 4 months.
- Consulted on the UI/UX design, working with development team in Beijing.
Art Director
Electronic Arts (Guildford, UK) - Jun 2008 > Sept 2011.
Hasbro Family Game Night Franchise 1,2, 3 (All Formats) - 2 years, 6 months.
- Part of founding team responsible for the creation of the IP.
- Responsible for the franchise art and creative direction of the entire series.
- Directed third party developer to produce the 3rd product.
- Management of outsourced content.
Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows 2 (Wii) - 9 months.
- Overall art direction of Wii product which was in parallel production with next-gen versions.
Create (All Formats) - 6 months.
- Co-Art Director: character, UI and game entry.
Artist/Senior Artist
Electronic Arts (Guildford, UK) - Sept 2003 > Jun 2008.
Environment Art and Lighting.
- Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix (All Formats).
- Battlefield Modern Combat (All Formats).
- Harry Potter: Goblet of Fire (All Formats).
- Catwoman (All Formats).
- Harry Potter: Prisoner of Azkaban (All Formats).
Senior 3D artist
Black Cactus Games (London, UK) - Sept 1999 > Sept 2003.
General artist role working on real-time strategy games.
- Global Conflict (PC Unreleased).
- Warrior Kings Battles (PC).
- Warrior Kings (PC).
3D Artist
Teeny Weeny Games (London, UK) - Sept 1998 > Sept 1999.
Worlds Scariest Police Chases (Dreamcast).
3D Artist
Commotion (London, UK) - Sept 1997 > Sept1998.
Architectural 3D Visualization Artist.
Product Designer (Internship)
Marketing and Promotional Services (Woking, UK) - Sept1994 > Sept 1995.
Product Designer of toys and promotional goods.