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Character Design Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

$123K - $130K/yr

Strong understanding of anatomy, proportion, weight, and volume as they relate to character design ... Artistic Skills : * Strong eye for detail, form, and style consistency. * Ability to adapt to and ...

teamLFG

3D Character Art Lead

$153K - $230K/yr

... design • Mentor and inspire a talented team of artists through all phases of production • ... the character art decisions that matter to competitive players in action or fighting games • ...

Thatgamecompany

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)

$81K - $114K/yr

Brainstorm ideas and create rapid 3D prototypes during the concept and design phase * Support the ... Character Artist at a game studio * Proficient modeling skills in Maya or equivalent * Self ...

AGBO

Expression of Interest - Character Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$130K - $136K/yr

The Character Artist will be responsible for creating highly realistic and expressive character ... They will collaborate with a team of artists and developers to conceptualize, design, and execute ...

teamLFG

OR

... design Mentor and inspire a talented team of artists through all phases of production Foster a safe culture for growth, feedback and coaching to encourage strong creative debate Create strong ...

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Character Design Artist information

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$104.5K

$120.5K

$128.5K

How much do character design artist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for character design artist in the United States is $120,531.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,000.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become a character design artist?

To become a character design artist, develop strong drawing skills and a portfolio showcasing original character concepts. Gain proficiency in digital art tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, and consider pursuing a degree or courses in art, illustration, or animation. Building industry experience through internships or freelance work can also help establish a professional network and improve your skills.

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

To excel as a Character Design Artist, you need strong drawing skills, creativity, and a solid understanding of anatomy and color theory, often supported by a degree in art, illustration, or animation. Proficiency in industry-standard digital tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and 3D modeling software such as Blender or ZBrush is typically expected. Strong communication, teamwork, and the ability to accept and integrate feedback make an artist stand out in collaborative environments. These skills ensure that character concepts not only meet creative briefs but also seamlessly fit within broader visual storytelling projects.

What is a Character Design Artist job?

A Character Design Artist creates the visual appearance of characters for animation, video games, comics, and other media. They develop personalities, costumes, and expressions that align with the story and artistic direction. This role requires strong drawing skills, creativity, and an understanding of anatomy and design principles. Character Design Artists often collaborate with writers, animators, and directors to bring unique and memorable characters to life.

How much do character design artists make?

Character design artists' salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but they typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 annually. Freelance artists may charge hourly rates ranging from $20 to $100, depending on their skill level and project complexity. Building a strong portfolio and proficiency with tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator can influence earning potential.

What jobs involve character design?

Jobs that involve character design include roles such as character designer, concept artist, and visual development artist in industries like animation, video games, and film. These positions require skills in drawing, digital illustration, and knowledge of character development to create unique and compelling characters for various media projects.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Character Design Artist?

A Character Design Artist typically spends their day sketching and developing concepts, refining character turnarounds, and collaborating with art directors, animators, and writers to ensure designs align with the project's narrative. They may attend team meetings to pitch ideas or receive feedback, revise artwork based on input, and prepare detailed model sheets or style guides for production teams. The role often requires balancing creative exploration with meeting deadlines and design specifications. Working closely with other departments is common, making teamwork and adaptability crucial to the workflow.

Are character designers in demand?

Character designers are in demand in industries such as video games, animation, and film, where strong visual storytelling is essential. The role often requires proficiency in digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator and a strong portfolio, with job growth driven by the expanding entertainment and gaming sectors.
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Character Design Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Design Artist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 49% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,531 per year, or $57.9 per hour.
Concept Character Artist - (Apex Legends)

Concept Character Artist - (Apex Legends)

Electronic Arts Inc.

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$136K - $157K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

General Information
Locations: Vancouver - Great Northern Way, British Columbia, Canada
  • Location: Los Angeles - Chatsworth
  • State: California
  • Country: United States of America

Role ID
214768
Worker Type
Regular Employee
Studio/Department
EA Studios - Respawn
Work Model
Hybrid
Description & Requirements
Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.
Character Concept Artist - Apex Legends
We are seeking a Concept Artist I to join the Apex Legends team. In this role, you will help create compelling visual designs that define the characters, cosmetics and visual identity of Apex Legends. You will apply strong artistic fundamentals, character design sensibilities, and storytelling skills to bring memorable heroes, skins, and visual experiences to life while supporting both gameplay needs and the evolving aesthetic of a live service game.
You will work closely with the Character Concept Art Lead, Art Directors, and your immediate team to deliver high-quality concept work while collaborating with external partners to help maintain Apex Legends' visual quality and style standards. The ideal candidate is a strong visual problem solver who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about creating bold, iconic designs.
What You'll Do
  • Collaborate closely with the Art Lead and immediate team to create compelling character concept art that supports gameplay, player fantasy, and the Apex Legends experience.
  • Design high-quality characters, cosmetics, outfits, accessories and visual explorations that align with the game's established visual language, player fantasy, and style.
  • Apply a strong understanding of anatomy, costume and apparel design, shape language, silhouette, facial expression, gesture, color theory, lighting, materials, and visual storytelling in all concept work.
  • Translate creative direction into clear, production-ready visual solutions that can be effectively executed by downstream teams.
  • Create compelling character explorations and illustrations that communicate personality, narrative intent, cultural influences, player fantasy, and world-building through visual design.
  • Utilize 3D tools to support concept development, including block-ins, posing, lighting, camera setup, and perspective assistance.
  • Contribute to animation, FX, and cinematic ideation when needed, including basic storyboarding, pose exploration, expression sheets, and motion concepts.
  • Participate actively in team critiques and feedback sessions, iterating quickly to improve quality and alignment with project goals.
  • Support external development efforts by reviewing outsourced work and providing actionable feedback to ensure consistency with Apex Legends' quality and artistic standards.
  • Design within gameplay, technical, and production constraints, ensuring concepts are achievable and production-friendly.
  • Stay informed on emerging tools, workflows, and production methodologies, helping improve efficiency and creative iteration across the team.
  • Contribute to team growth by sharing knowledge, workflows, and best practices with peers.

Ideally, You Will Have
  • 3+ years of experience as a Concept Artist in games, entertainment, or a related industry.
  • A strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional artistic fundamentals, including anatomy, character design, costume and apparel design, gesture, color, composition, lighting, materials, and perspective.
  • Proven ability to create clear, production-ready concepts that effectively communicate design intent.
  • Strong understanding of character design principles, including anatomy, costume construction, shape language, silhouette, gesture, facial expression, and visual storytelling.
  • Proficiency with industry-standard digital painting software and familiarity with 3D tools commonly used in concept workflows.
  • Understanding of visual storytelling, composition, cinematography, and player-facing readability.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills within a multidisciplinary team environment.
  • Ability to incorporate feedback quickly and iterate effectively in a fast-paced production setting.
  • Experience supporting or mentoring junior artists is a plus.
  • Openness to learning and adopting new tools, workflows, and emerging technologies that improve efficiency and creative development.

Pay Transparency - North America
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g. education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).
PAY RANGES
* British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) *$92,900 - $129,200 CAD
* California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco) *$104,400 - $157,400 USD
Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA.
In the US, we offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.
For Canada, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.
About Electronic Arts
We're proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.
We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well-being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.
Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.

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