ArtCenter College of Design is searching for an experienced Game Design Instructor, part-time (non-tenure track) to join our team.

Salary Range: $70.00 - 140.00 per hour

Finalsalary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to therole, and internal equity.

About ArtCenter
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education and has had an international reputation for its rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum, faculty of professionals, strong ties to industry, and commitment to socially responsible design. We are an independent, nonprofit, four-year college offering a Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in ten specialized programs and graduate degrees in four art and design disciplines.

Every position at ArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes diversity, equity, inclusion, access, belonging (DEIAB) and culture.

Teaching Level Design

• Level Design is a series of 2 classes taught across 2 terms, in collaboration with another faculty who will focus on the visual aspects of the level design.
• This position will focus on gameplay.
• These classes can be taught on-site (preferred), remote or hybrid.

Course learning outcomes

(CLO 1) Students will be exposed to the fundamental principles of video game level design. Topics will include: game mechanics, level layout, narrative flow, theming, challenge, and applying principles of visual communication.

Students will be exposed to the process of planning, designing, implementing, and polishing multiple game levels spanning a variety of genres:

(CLO 2) 2D Games - Students will gain an understanding of building focused, smaller level experiences using fundamental level design techniques.

(CLO 3) Top-down Maps - Students will gain an understanding of how to plot out pacing, flow, and scale/scope to achieve a fully realized experience goal.

(CLO 4) 3D Games - Students will gain an understanding of how to design for 3D games by exploring the design challenges of 3D while building off of the macro principles of top-down level mapping and the micro principles of 2D level design.

(CLO 5) Gain an understanding of prototyping levels in Unreal creating instanced assets and placing them in the game world.

(CLO 6) Gain an understanding of translating a 2D map design into 3D, composing the space to be traversible and functional from a gameplay perspective.

(CLO 7) Gain an understanding of the design and art considerations specific to different game genres

(CLO 8) Gain an understanding of more complex scripting and asset attributes to create a seamless player experience that represents the intended design.

(CLO 9) Gain a deeper understanding of working with concept artists to create a usable blueprint for 3D artists to execute a usable level

(CLO 10) Gain a broader experience of known good level designs that exemplify gameplay concepts for each genre

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Co-Teaching Level Design 1 & Level Design 2 for the Game Design Track in the Entertainment Design department at ArtCenter College of Design
• Provide classroom instruction, maintain and report student attendance, preparation of instructional material including class syllabi, grading students’ assignments and exams, posting students’ grades, consulting with students, replying to students’ inquiries, and facilitating course evaluations
• Mentor and guide students beyond the classroom

Other Responsibilities and service opportunities

• Assist in cultivating guest lectures, visiting designers, publications, and student competitions
• Assist with student gallery, grad show, and web content
• Assist in creating visibility and recognition for the program among prospective students, the design community, creative industries, and potential donors and sponsors
• Maintain external relationships with designers and leaders experienced with issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity

• Ability to develop effective syllabus
• Ability to handle confidential information with tact and discretion and recognize the confidential nature of ArtCenter business, as well as requirements under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Must be able to work with and understand our culturally diverse student and faculty body with their needs and goals
• A commitment to DEIAB and culture, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within ArtCenter’s diverse communities

Preferred Qualifications

• Video game industry experience in a Level Designer role (or equivalent)

Diversity StatementArtCenter is fully committed to fostering a culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging not only in vision but in practice. Our path forward is predicated on our belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures and belief systems are essential to academic and creative excellence. We strive to learn more about difference while respecting the rich diversity in our world, attending to important questions about racial injustice and decolonizing our curriculum. Our campus environment must be vigilant in supporting the full participation of students, faculty, and staff of every race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic status and political viewpoint.

Equal Opportunity EmployerArtCenter is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including HIV and AIDS), genetic characteristic or information, pregnancy, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, transgender identity, gender expression, protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity is extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including without limitation, recruitment, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, leave of absence, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall and termination. This commitment applies to all persons involved in the operations of ArtCenter and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of ArtCenter. Applicants who wish to request an accommodation for a disability may contact the Human Resources Department at (626) 396-2270.

Land Acknowledgment:
ArtCenter College of Design occupies the region of the ancestral and traditional land of the Hahamog'na Tongva people, the stewards of the San Gabriel Valley area around present-day Pasadena.

ArtCenter Employees have a Mandatory Duty to Report 
All employees who know or have reason to know of allegations or acts that violate ArtCenter’s Title IX Policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking shall promptly inform the Director, Title IX Compliance and Programs or designee, or the Associate Dean of Students or designee. Faculty, who have a mandatory duty to report, are required to disclose all information including the names of the parties, even where the person has requested their name remain confidential.

Pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), all employees who know of or have reason to suspect child abuse or neglect involving alleged victims under age 18 shall promptly inform local law enforcement or the county welfare department.

Vaccination Requirement
ArtCenter is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all members of our community. Guided by the latest information from the CDC, the California Department of Public Health and the Pasadena Public Health Department, all staff, students and faculty must provide proof of vaccination. Annual vaccines and/or booster vaccines will be required based on CDC or FDA guidance. Those who cannot get vaccinated for medical or religious reasons will need to provide appropriate documentation. ArtCenter will then engage in an interactive process, on an individual basis, to determine if there is a reasonable accommodation that can be provided. Our complete policy can be found here.