CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Missions, activities, skills, training
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
What is a Creative Director?
Definition of the role of the Creative Director
The Creative Director in video games, oversees the entire creative direction of a video game project.
He is responsible for the overall creative vision of the game (creation of the game world, characters, level design, implementation of game mechanics).
He supervises the creative execution to ensure the quality, consistency and relevance of the gaming experience, in line with the creative direction and constraints given.
Job description
The Creative Director ensures that all elements are consistent with the creative vision and that the overall gaming experience meets the expectations of players and stakeholders.
The role of Creative Director consists of:
- Analyzing the different aspects and objectives of the game and communicating them clearly to the creative teams
- Developing and implementing a global vision and creative foundations for the game (visual effects, theme, context, gameplay, etc…)
- Developing the creative vision of the game in line with the product vision
- Participating in the proposal development process (pitch), selecting them and presenting them to clients by motivating the choices
- Participating in project follow-up meetings at all phases (pre-production, production, live)
- Writing clear documentation including required visual references
- Managing the creative team (artists, designers, musicians, narrative designers…)
- Supervising the work of the development team to ensure that the creative vision of the project is integrated into all aspects of production (artistic, design, programming)
The tasks of a Creative Director in the video game industry are:
Define the creative vision of the video game and ensure its execution
Lead and manage a team of video game developers and artists
The Creative Director works closely with team members to ensure that all creative aspects of the project are in harmony.
He must also ensure that each team member has the necessary resources and support to achieve their goals.
Collaborate with other departments such as production, marketing, and public relations to ensure project consistency
The Creative Director also works closely with other departments such as production, marketing, and public relations. He ensures that the creative vision is in harmony with the company’s objectives and that the video game is marketable.
+10%
Management positions
(between 2018 and 2021)
+100%
Data Management positions
(between 2018 and 2021)
+31%
Marketing positions
(between 2018 and 2021)
The necessary skills for a Creative Director
In-depth knowledge of industry trends and technologies
The video game industry is constantly evolving technologically. The role of a Creative Director requires staying up-to-date in terms of technical skills to be able to leverage the latest technological advancements and propose innovative gaming experiences.
It is also necessary to remain constantly aware of emerging gameplay trends in the mobile and console markets.
Communication and leadership skills
As the embodiment of the game’s creative direction, the Creative Director must be able to effectively articulate their ideas, communicate with the artistic team, and make constructive suggestions. This involves having excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as presentation skills.
As a leader, the Creative Director leads and develops a team focused on collective success, makes the best decisions for the studio, and demonstrates agility.
Good understanding of project management
Ability to work in a team and take initiative
Evaluate and improve the work of creative teams
3 universes
Creativity | Science & Tech | Business strategy
Training and experience required to become a Creative Director
Degree in Game & Creative Strategy
The MSc Game & Creative Strategy program at ISART Game Business School trains students for the role of Creative Manager.
The program is open to applicants who have completed a Bachelor’s degree, and admission is granted based on an interview and application review.
The program is entirely taught in English.
Experience in the field of video game design
To secure a position as a Creative Manager, it is necessary to have:
- Several years of practical experience in video game design, with experience in lead roles
- A deep understanding of the video game industry and its current trends
- A thorough understanding of game design principles and user experience
Fluent in English
Future Prospects and Career Opportunities
Challenges
Inclusion and Diversity in Game Design
Inclusion and diversity have become key themes in the video game industry. Players are very sensitive to representation issues in video games and expect gaming experiences that reflect the diversity of society.
The profession of Creative Director must take into account the evolving expectations of players and include a variety of characters and cultures in their games.
