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Animation Character Design Jobs in Toronto, ON (NOW HIRING)

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Animation Character Design information

See Toronto, ON salary details

$9

$29

$67

How much do animation character design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation character design in Toronto, ON is $29.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.81 and $36.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by animation character designers, and how are they usually addressed on the job?

Animation character designers often face the challenge of balancing creative vision with the specific requirements of a production, such as style consistency and technical limitations. Designers regularly collaborate and communicate with directors, animators, and other team members to refine characters based on feedback and evolving project needs. Tight deadlines and frequent revisions are typical in this role, making adaptability and problem-solving skills highly valuable. Many studios foster open feedback loops and provide resources for skill development to help designers address these challenges and succeed in their roles.

What is an Animation Character Design job?

An Animation Character Design job involves creating the visual look, personality, and style of characters for animated films, TV shows, games, or commercials. Character designers develop concept art, model sheets, and expressive poses to ensure consistency and appeal. They work closely with animators, directors, and writers to bring characters to life while maintaining the project's artistic vision. Strong drawing skills, creativity, and knowledge of anatomy and storytelling are essential in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Animation Character Design position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Animation Character Design, you need strong drawing abilities, a solid understanding of anatomy and movement, and a portfolio demonstrating creativity and storytelling through visuals. Proficiency with design software such as Adobe Creative Suite and Toon Boom Harmony, as well as knowledge of 3D modeling tools, is often essential. Strong communication, flexibility, and collaboration skills help artists respond effectively to feedback and work well in team-oriented environments. These skills ensure characters are visually compelling, fit project requirements, and resonate with audiences, contributing to a project's overall success.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Character Design jobs in Toronto, ON? The most popular types of Animation Character Design jobs in Toronto, ON are:
What are popular job titles related to Animation Character Design jobs in Toronto, ON? For Animation Character Design jobs in Toronto, ON, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animation Character Design jobs in Toronto, ON look for? The top searched job categories for Animation Character Design jobs in Toronto, ON are:
Animation Character Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Character Design job openings in Toronto, ON as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 75% In-person, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,994 per year, or $29.8 per hour.

Advanced Gameplay Animator

Certain Affinity, Inc.

Toronto, ON • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

As an Advanced Animator at Certain Affinity, you'll be part of a creative team generating highly polished in-game animations for AAA and original IP titles. This is a great opportunity to assist in the project's design by providing pre-visualization animations for gameplay elements and evolving and refining motion for characters, weapons, vehicles, and environmental objects. Are you looking for an opportunity to work with insanely talented, humble, and collaborative game devs? Then look no further and read on.
***Candidates must be located in Ontario or British Columbia Canada to be eligible for this opportunity.***
Responsibilities
  • Work with the Art Director, Lead Animator & Design team to visualize and integrate motion into a highly immersive world
  • implementation of animation assets and testing in engine for accuracy
  • Mentor other animators on technique and process
  • Create animations in a variety of styles, from ultra-realistic mocap based movement to highly stylized hand-keyed motion depending on the needs of the project
Requirements
  • 4+ years’ experience in the game industry, specifically associated with character and object animation
  • Shipped 2+ titles as an animator
 
  • Experience establishing and driving new workflows for content creation
  • Experience establishing new tools for both internal and codev project use
  • Expert-level understanding of the principles of animation
  • Experience in UE4 and UE5
  • Excellent understanding of game animation pipelines and workflow
  • Strong communication and time management skills
  • Ability to work within predefined styles from realistic to stylized and effectively communicate this style to the rest of a team
  • Knowledge and application of both keyframe and performance capture animation in a real-time environment
  • Solid grasp of performance requirements and constraints of current-generation console and PC gaming development
  • Solid understanding of how animation by way of performance, staging, dynamics, timing, and pacing influences player response and feedback to help make a game fun and engaging
  • Experience mentoring other artists and animators
  • Must be able to initiate visual direction without specific concept or design
  • A desire to work and support a diverse and inclusive environment

Extra Credit
  • Experience in the setup, organization, and performance direction of a motion capture shoot
  • Expert level knowledge of Maya. MotionBuilder and other 3D animation packages are a plus
  • Strong foundational knowledge in traditional arts, including but not limited to graphic design or illustration, life drawing, acting, and cinematography
  • Experience working with co-development partners
Salary: $110K CAD-$140K CAD
 

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