About The Company
Founded in 2023, Small Axe Studios is the newest stand-alone development studio under 2K, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of interactive sports entertainment. Headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia, the studio is assembling a world-class team of visionary designers, developers, and passionate gamers committed to creating innovative, player-first experiences. Small Axe Studios aims to craft groundbreaking sports franchises that redefine the gaming landscape by emphasizing creative collaboration, technical excellence, and bold ideas. The company's philosophy centers around focus and precision, ensuring that every aspect of game development contributes to delivering compelling and intuitive gameplay. As part of 2K's portfolio, Small Axe Studios is poised to make a significant impact on the future of interactive entertainment, offering unique challenges and opportunities for professionals eager to leave their mark on a new intellectual property.
About The Role
We are seeking a talented UI/UX Designer to join our dynamic team at Small Axe Studios. In this role, you will be instrumental in shaping the visual and interactive elements of our upcoming sports game. Your primary responsibility will be to design and maintain an atomic design system using Figma, ensuring consistency and efficiency across all UI components. You will be tasked with creating intuitive player flows, wireframes, interaction patterns, and information hierarchies that enhance clarity, usability, and emotional engagement. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of how UI influences player experience and will translate complex gameplay systems into elegant, accessible interfaces. Collaboration is key; you will work closely with Art, Engineering, and Design teams to bring ideas from concept to implementation, ensuring a cohesive and polished final product. Additionally, your expertise will help define the visual style of the game's UI, producing assets, iconography, motion graphics, and mockups that balance aesthetic appeal with functional clarity. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a new IP and influence the future of interactive sports entertainment.
Qualifications
- Experience shipping at least one AAA game or equivalent project
- Strong portfolio demonstrating UI art and UX design work
- Proficiency in Figma, including component-based atomic design structures
- Expertise in Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects (or similar tools) for UI asset creation and motion design
- Experience working collaboratively across design, art, and engineering teams
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to give and receive constructive feedback
- A deep curiosity about games and a thoughtful approach to UI’s role in player experience
Responsibilities
- Design, own, and maintain the atomic design system within Figma to ensure consistency across UI components
- Create and refine player flows, wireframes, interaction patterns, and information hierarchies to improve usability and clarity
- Translate complex gameplay systems and player needs into intuitive UX solutions that enhance emotional impact
- Iterate on designs based on feedback, testing, and evolving project requirements
- Guide the adaptation of core gameplay, controls, and menu experiences across multiple platforms and input methods, ensuring parity and quality
- Help define and establish the visual style of the game’s UI in partnership with the Art Director and design team
- Translate wireframes and UX systems into polished, visually cohesive interfaces and assets
- Develop final visual assets, iconography, motion graphics, and mockups that effectively balance form and function
- Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to bring concepts from initial idea through to final implementation
- Provide feedback during reviews and maintain visual and UX consistency throughout the product lifecycle
- Stay informed on industry trends in gaming, app design, and visual aesthetics to bring innovative ideas to the team
Benefits
- Competitive salary range in British Columbia, starting from CAD $78,400 to CAD $116,020 annually, commensurate with experience and skills
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance packages
- Performance-based bonuses and potential equity awards
- Retirement savings plans and financial planning resources
- Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work options
- Professional development opportunities and continuous learning programs
- Creative and collaborative work environment with cutting-edge technology
Equal Opportunity
Small Axe Studios and 2K are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities. We ensure that reasonable accommodations are provided throughout the hiring process and during employment to enable all candidates and employees to participate fully. If you require accommodation, please contact us to discuss your needs. We value diversity and believe that varied perspectives drive innovation and success.
