Job Description

AREA 35 is looking for an experienced UI/UX designer to work closely with product managers, artists, and engineers to conceptualize, design, and iterate across all program features and systems. You will be responsible for all UX and design elements to ensure that the final product feels intuitive and easy-to-use. Duties will include tasks such as providing wireframes, mockups, and prototypes to illustrate UI/UX designs to the team and stakeholders. Qualified candidates will also have experience creating style guides and producing UI design specifications to ensure consistent design across the entire application.

At AREA 35, you will get to work alongside leading developers and some of the best talent in the industry including Kenichi Iwao (Resident Evil [Biohazard], FINAL FANTASY XI/XIV), and artists Yusuke Kozaki (Pokemon GO, Fire Emblem) and Takuya Suzuki (Diablo III, StarCraft II, FINAL FANTASY XV) in a small, tight-knit team on one of our latest projects. The company is currently in production on the next iteration of the TINY METAL franchise, and has additional projects in the pipeline.

This is an in-office position at our headquarters in Tokyo.

Requirements

• 2+ years working as a UI/UX designer in a gaming or other interactive design field.

• Firm understanding of UX process and usability design principles.

• Strong visual design skills and experience working closely with artists.

• Able to work well in a cross-functional role touching on many different departments with different levels of technical expertise.

• A strong portfolio showcasing your UI/UX work, ideally for PC/console titles.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent or 10 years working in the games industry in any capacity (Required for Japanese VISA).

• An interest in working on a Japanese game with top developers.

Preferred

• Proficiency using game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine strongly preferred.

• Proficient with common design tools (ex. Figma, Affinity or Adobe Products, etc.).

• Basic knowledge of scripting and motion design is a plus.

• Proactive ability to provide constructive feedback and receive it effectively to iterate on designs.

• Willingness to learn Japanese or prior language skills.

• A passion for video games, especially Japanese games.
  

Work Details

• Creates intuitive player-focused mockups, user flows, and comprehensive supporting documentation.

• Designs and directly implements user interface elements within the game engine, ensuring that the final in-game experience matches the original design vision.

• Ensures accessibility and localization readiness within your designs.

• Able to communicate a clear and concise vision of unified interface design to teams of various technical and artistic aptitude.

• Iterates on design as required based on feedback from Design, Planning, and QA teams.

• Able to be a fierce advocate for ease-of-use, user experience, and product consistency.

Base Salary

• Salary is based on qualifications and experience.

Remuneration & Work Conditions

• Competitive base salary

• Twice yearly bonuses

• National Health Insurance and Pension support (社会保険) in Japan

• Japanese VISA sponsorship for foreign applicants

• Working hours under Japan’s Discretionary Labor System

• No regular overtime

• Paid holidays plus public holidays

• Paid commute while residing in Japan (by public transport)

  • Office location:
    7F NTF Takebashi Building, 3-15 Kanda Nishiki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
    From the nearest stations:
    Subway Takebashi station 7 min. walk
    Subway Jimbocho station 5 min. walk
    Subway Ogawamachi station 10 min. walk
    Subway Shin-ochanomizu station 10 min. walk
    Subway Otemachi station 10 min. walk
    JR Kanda station approx. 13 min. walk

Vacation and Holidays

• Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays

• Year-end and New Year holidays

• Summer holidays

• Paid vacation

• Marriage, bereavement

• Maternity leave before and after childbirth

• Childcare leave

• Nursing care leave
  

Benefits

• Reimbursement for transportation expenses

• Medical checkups

• Congratulatory and condolence payments

• Retirement allowance

• Employee discount for products on our e-commerce site

• Beer Day (In-house lecture from prominent industry figures)

• Movie viewing allowance

• Company support for visiting museums

• Company support for attending lectures and seminars

• Company support for certification acquisition and examination fees

• Japanese lessons for non-Japanese employees (in-house / occasional)
  

Other

• Retirement plans/severance packages available

• Health insurance, employee pension, unemployment insurance, worker's compensation insurance

• No dress code. There are no restrictions on hairstyle or hair color. Aside from Japanese many of our team members speak English.

For interested candidates please either apply via LinkedIn or send an email to info@area35east.com with your Resume/CV and documentation of any pertinent qualifications and referrals. We also request a portfolio demonstrating relevant UI/UX skills to be submitted via some method of cloud storage. The applicant will be responsible for any associated costs with this, and it will be their responsibility to make sure that submitted materials do not breach any existing NDAs or copyright.