Position: eCenter Faculty (Art Creation Specialization)
Institution: The Guildhall at SMU
Location: SMU-in-Legacy
Date posted: December 11, 2012

SMU has been influencing key developers and future leaders in the video game industry for almost a decade. With over 450 alumni actively developing games for over 150 studios worldwide, the Guildhall has provided talent to almost every major title in recent history. As the premier education source in the video game industry, our faculty have the ability to teach and mentor tomorrow’s leaders. Taking a job at the Guildhall allows you to influence how hundreds of games are built. Guildhall lecturer schedules follow the academic calendar including fall, winter, spring, and optional summer breaks.
eCenter Faculty: The Guildhall at SMU invites applicants for the position of eCenter faculty to teach in the graduate-level digital game development program in the Art Creation specialization starting in the Spring 2013 semester, module A. Teaching positions are non-tenure track with a one-year (academic year) renewable term and a full-time teaching load. Full benefits accorded to full-time faculty are included.

Unique features of The Guildhall which affect faculty requirements follow:

•The Guildhall exists to serve the needs of the digital game development industry by teaching the very best professionals to work in the style and at the pace of the gaming industry.
•The Guildhall was designed from the ground up in conjunction with industry professionals.
•A key element of The Guildhall’s value proposition is its continued intimate involvement with the industry and with industry professionals.
•The Guildhall is a focus for the industry as well as its premier education source.

Position requirements are the following:

•A graduate degree in a related field required
•Knowledge of current best practices in game development
•A passion for developing and playing video games
•Minimum three years experience in 3D asset/environment creation in the game development industry, with three plus shipped games
•Proficient in Photoshop, 3D Studio Max or Maya and Mudbox
•Strong digital and traditional 2D skills
•Works well in a team based environment
•Has excellent oral and written communication skills


Preferred position requirements include as many of the following:

•Experience and skill in 2D and 3D animation
•Experience in character modeling, including rigging and weighting for animation
•Experience and skill as a traditional illustrator at a professional level
•Is skilled and has experience in marketing art and concept art for games
•Is skilled at creating texture maps and in game materials for shaders
•Familarity with several game engines
•Has next generation console game development experience – Xbox 360, PS3
•Understands scripting for game asset production and implementation
•Has extensive knowledge of 3D computer graphics, including use of the DirectX SDK
•Understands and can teach game industry production practices, process, pipeline, and workflow
•Is able to demonstrate teaching abilities
•Plays and enjoys computer and console games

Accordingly, faculty members should have and maintain credentials as digital game development professionals as well as educators.

Applicants should send a cover letter, vita, and two letters of recommendation or names and contact information of two or more references, and position number (52545) to the Guildhall Faculty Search Committee, 5232 Tennyson Parkway, Building 2, Plano, Texas 75024. To ensure full consideration for this position, the application must be postmarked or emailed by January 11, 2013, but the committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. This position is open as of Spring 2013. The committee will notify applicants of its employment decision after position is filled. Please note that hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.

Informal inquiries about this position and the evaluation process may be addressed to diane@smu.edu.

All letters will be acknowledged. SMU will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status. SMU is also committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Contact Info:
Guildhall Faculty Search Committee
5232 Tennyson Parkway, Building 2
Plano, Texas 75024

This job listing originated on Gamasutra.com, the game industry's leader.