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Character Design Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Studio Art Manager

Troy, NY · On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Partner with Human Resources and Production on hiring needs, recruiting, internships, outsourcing ... Character Design * Environment Art * Illustration * World-Building * Modern Workflows Soft Skills

New

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

At the heart of our mission is Adventure Ted, our superhero spokes-bear and the central character ... This role is eligible for internship credit in Graphic Design, Media, Animation, Marketing, and ...

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

At the heart of our mission is Adventure Ted, our superhero spokes-bear and the central character ... This role is eligible for internship credit in Graphic Design, Media, Animation, Marketing, and ...

$13.75 - $18.25/hr

At the heart of our mission is Adventure Ted, our superhero spokes-bear and the central character ... This role is eligible for internship credit in Graphic Design, Media, Animation, Marketing, and ...

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Character Design Internship information

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$9

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$36

How much do character design internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for character design internship in the United States is $19.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a character design internship?

A Character Design Internship is a temporary position, often for students or recent graduates, where you gain hands-on experience creating and developing characters for animation, video games, comics, or other media. Interns typically work alongside professional character designers to learn industry techniques, contribute ideas, and build a portfolio. This role may involve sketching, digital illustration, storyboarding, and collaborating with other departments to bring characters to life. The internship is a valuable stepping stone for those looking to enter the creative industry as a character designer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a character design intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Character Design Intern, you need strong drawing and illustration skills, a portfolio showcasing original character concepts, and preferably coursework or a degree in art, animation, or a related field. Familiarity with digital illustration tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Procreate is typically expected. Creativity, adaptability, and effective communication help you collaborate with team members and bring unique ideas to life. These skills ensure you can create compelling characters that align with project goals and resonate with audiences.

What are some common challenges faced during a character design internship, and how can I overcome them?

One common challenge in a Character Design Internship is balancing creative expression with adhering to existing brand guidelines or client feedback. Interns often need to revise their designs multiple times to align with the artistic vision of a project or studio. Collaboration and open communication with art directors and other team members are essential for success. To overcome these challenges, be receptive to feedback, stay organized, and actively seek mentorship from experienced designers within the team.

What is the difference between Character Design Internship vs Character Artist?

AspectCharacter Design InternshipCharacter Artist
Required CredentialsPortfolio, relevant coursework or degree, basic software skillsAdvanced portfolio, professional experience, specialized software skills
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, entry-level projects, mentorshipFull-time or freelance projects, studio or remote work
Industry UsageInternship programs in animation, gaming, or entertainmentProfessional character creation for games, films, or animation

While both roles involve character creation, a Character Design Internship is an entry-level position focused on learning and assisting in character development, often within internship programs. A Character Artist is a professional with more experience, responsible for creating detailed, polished character models for various media. Internships serve as a stepping stone toward becoming a full-fledged Character Artist.

More about Character Design Internship jobs

What cities are hiring for Character Design Internship jobs?

Cities with the most Character Design Internship job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Character Design jobs?

The most popular types of Character Design jobs are:

What states have the most Character Design Internship jobs?

States with the most job openings for Character Design Internship jobs include:

Infographic showing various Character Design Internship job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,304 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

2027 Product Design Office (PDO) - Design Visual Communication Internship

Stellantis

Auburn Hills, MI

Full-time, Internship

Posted 4 days ago


Stellantis rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 131 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 45 rated automakers


Job description

This internship will follow an in-person model. Interns will be based at the Stellantis Headquarters and Technology Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Relocation assistance may be available for candidates who meet specific eligibility criteria. The internship program is scheduled to run from May through August 2027. 

STELLANTIS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

The Stellantis Internship Program offers a unique opportunity for highly motivated, innovative, and inspired individuals to work on challenging assignments where contribution, teamwork and communication are vital to the success of the organization. As a leading-edge company, we provide real world challenges and rewarding intern experiences to candidates from a variety of colleges and universities while providing a competitive salary.  

Interns will be assigned to a department based on the candidate’s background and skill set. The assignments are project-oriented, meaningful to the department and allow the intern to provide valuable contributions. Interns experience a sense of personal accomplishment and learn about the corporate business culture through work assignments, structured activities, and exclusive intern networking events. Interns that demonstrate outstanding qualities may be invited back for a return internship the following summer or may be considered for full-time positions.   

Internship Benefits:  

  • Exposure to cutting-edge projects and technologies    
  • Collaborative work environment    
  • Mentorship from experienced professionals    
  • Networking opportunities with peers and leaders    
  • Skill development workshops and training sessions  
  • Paid US holidays  
  • Stellantis Employee Advantage Vehicle Discount Program  
  • Eligible interns may be able to participate in the Company Vehicle Employee Lease Program  

DEPARTMENT DETAILS:
 

The Automotive Design Storytelling & Visualization Intern will participate in a narrative-driven design study focused on imagining and creating the world around future vehicle concepts. Starting with a hero vehicle, the intern will develop visual stories that depict the journeys, destinations, people, places, and experiences enabled by the product. 

This internship combines transportation design thinking, brand visualization, storytelling, world-building, and creative exploration. Interns will create narrative vignettes, environmental studies, storyboards, renderings, animations, and presentation materials that communicate how vehicles become meaningful parts of people's lives and aspirations. 

The ideal candidate is a visual storyteller with a strong creative taste, an understanding of brand identity, and the ability to translate ideas into compelling visual narratives. Working closely with Brand VIE designers and cross-functional teams, you will develop a cohesive storytelling framework that expresses brand ethos through imagery, atmosphere, character, and experience. 

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Develop narrative design studies centered around future vehicle concepts and the experiences they enable. 
  • Create visual stories that depict journey, destination, and memorable lifestyle moments. 
  • Develop multiple POV scenarios, characters, and experiences to support story development. 
  • Produce sketches, mood boards, environmental studies, renderings, animations, and videos. 
  • Analyze and interpret brand values to create narratives that authentically express brand ethos. 
  • Utilize digital creative tools such as Blender, Unreal Engine, and VRED. 
  • Utilize augmented tools such as Midjourney, Vizcom, Udi Optic, etc 
  • Assemble and present complete storytelling experiences connecting vehicle, environment, activity, and emotion. 

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS: 

  • This position requires a portfolio in a PDF format be submitted with your application 
  • Applications will not be processed without meeting this requirement. Please ensure your portfolio meets the following requirements: 
  • Your portfolio should represent your skills as it pertains to the position to which you're applying 
  • Your most current work should be presented first and displayed in descending order of most current to oldest 
  • When appropriate, provide a brief description of your contributions to work that is submitted for review. (i.e., if a full model is presented, explain if you were responsible for the full model or if your involvement was limited to specific areas of the model) 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Currently pursuing a relevant design-related bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in transportation design, communication, film, interaction design related degree, and/or entertainment design 
  • Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Blender, Unreal Engine, VRED, Vizcom, or equivalent tools 
  • Familiarity with AI-assisted creative workflows and rapid visualization techniques 
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite applications.  
  • Able to work full-time, 40 hours per week during the internship 
  • Willingness to relocate for internship 
  • Completion of freshman year or higher at an accredited college or university by Spring 2027 
  • Authorized to work in the United States  
  • Candidates must submit a current portfolio, saved as a PDF, representing work from freshman year to the present (specifically highlighting automotive design projects if applicable) 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Strong portfolio demonstrating creativity, visual storytelling ability, and refined design taste 
  • Demonstrated ability to imagine, create, and communicate compelling visual narratives 
  • Understanding of how brands use design, imagery, and storytelling to create emotional connections 
  • Automotive sketching and ideation 
  • Storyboarding and narrative development 
  • Environmental and lifestyle visualization 
  • Animation, cinematic visualization, and motion graphics 
  • Passion for automotive culture, mobility experiences, and lifestyle-driven storytelling 
  • Working knowledge of Alias, Microsoft Office, Illustrator, Photoshop, PowerPoint and/or similar programs 
  • Exceptional design intuition, with strong presentation and design communication skills 
  • Computer proficient 
  • Strong interest in the automotive industry and new technologies 
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills 
  • Ability to work in a team environment 
  • Must exhibit strong leadership characteristics 
  • Creative and innovative thinking 

STELLANTIS DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP (e.g., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT, F-1, etc.) FOR THIS ROLE. IF YOU WILL REQUIRE SPONSORSHIP NOW OR IN THE FUTURE IN ORDER TO WORK IN THIS POSITION, PLEASE DO NOT APPLY.


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