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Character Design Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Rainier Industries

Graphic Design Artist

Tukwila, WA · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

Review design briefs and determine project requirements. * Create compelling designs, pitch documents, and client-facing mockups. * Translate client inspiration and brand guidelines into effective ...

rainier

Graphic Design Artist

Seattle, WA · On-site

$144K - $173K/yr

Review design briefs and determine project requirements. * Create compelling designs, pitch documents, and client-facing mockups. * Translate client inspiration and brand guidelines into effective ...

DC Structures

Be Seen First

Architectural Designer

Seattle, WA · Remote

Lead the design and documentation of high-end custom residential projects, translating client goals into clear architectural direction with strong planning, character, and refined composition.

Blueprint Hires

MEP Consultant

Seattle, WA · On-site

An industry-leading construction and forensic consulting firm is seeking a HVAC/Plumbing Design Engineer to help them design major projects with industry-standard practices and codes at their Seattle ...

AST

Controls Engineer

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$70K - $120K/yr

Design and develop control systems for complex automated systems using programmable logic ... Character that complements AST's long-standing culture of high integrity throughout all areas of ...

AST

Controls Engineer

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$70K - $120K/yr

Design and develop control systems for complex automated systems using programmable logic ... Character that complements AST's long-standing culture of high integrity throughout all areas of ...

GRAYL

Product Development Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$95K - $100K/yr

Work with industrial design team to refine the design and character while maintaining engineering requirements * Stay on top of industry trends and emerging technologies * Travel regularly - 5-7 ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsCharacter Design JobsCharacter Design Jobs in Seattle, WA

Character Design information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$11

$21

$43

How much do character design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for character design in Seattle, WA is $21.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.34 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is character design?

Character design is the process of creating the visual appearance, personality, and style of characters for use in media such as animation, video games, comics, and films. Character designers combine art skills and storytelling to develop unique and memorable characters that fit the project's narrative and aesthetic. This includes designing physical features, clothing, expressions, and poses, often collaborating with writers, directors, and animators to ensure the characters support the story and appeal to the target audience.

How does a character designer typically collaborate with other team members during the production process?

Character Designers work closely with art directors, animators, writers, and sometimes 3D modelers to ensure their designs align with the project's visual style and narrative. Regular meetings and feedback sessions are common, where designers present sketches, receive input, and make iterative changes. Effective communication and openness to feedback are essential, as character designs often need to be adapted for animation, merchandising, or game mechanics. Collaboration helps ensure the characters not only look appealing but also function well in different media formats.

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

To thrive as a Character Designer, you need strong drawing skills, a solid understanding of anatomy, color theory, and visual storytelling, often supported by a degree in art, illustration, or animation. Proficiency with digital illustration tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and drawing tablets is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and effective communication help character designers collaborate with teams and bring unique concepts to life. These skills are essential for creating compelling, memorable characters that visually support narratives and resonate with audiences.

What is the difference between Character Design vs Character Modeling?

AspectCharacter DesignCharacter Modeling
Primary FocusCreating the visual concept, style, and personality of charactersBuilding the 3D digital model based on designs
Required SkillsDrawing, illustration, concept art, creativity3D modeling, software proficiency (e.g., Maya, Blender)
Work EnvironmentConcept art studios, animation, gaming companies3D animation studios, game development, VFX
Common UsageDesigning characters' appearance and personalityCreating detailed 3D models for animation or games

While both roles are essential in character creation, Character Design focuses on conceptualizing and visualizing characters, whereas Character Modeling involves transforming those concepts into detailed 3D models. Understanding these differences helps professionals and employers identify the right skill set for each stage of character development.

How to get a job as a character designer?

To become a character designer, build a strong portfolio showcasing your creativity and drawing skills, often using digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Gaining experience through internships, freelance work, or art communities can improve your chances, and understanding character development, anatomy, and storytelling is essential for success in the field.

What degree should I get if I want to be a character designer?

Character designers typically hold a bachelor's degree in fields such as fine arts, illustration, animation, or graphic design. Developing strong drawing skills, a portfolio, and proficiency with digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator are also important for this role.

What jobs involve character design?

Jobs that involve character design include roles such as character designer, concept artist, and animation artist, primarily in industries like video games, film, television, and animation studios. These positions require skills in drawing, digital illustration, and knowledge of design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Character designers create visual concepts for characters used in various media projects and often collaborate with directors and writers to develop character personalities and styles.

What are the most commonly searched types of Character Design jobs in Seattle, WA?

The most popular types of Character Design jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What are popular job titles related to Character Design jobs in Seattle, WA?

For Character Design jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Character Design jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Character Design jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Character Design jobs?

Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Character Design job openings:

Character Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Design job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,182 per year, or $21.7 per hour.

Original Merchandise Developer (Bilingual Japanese/English)

The Pokémon Company International

Redmond, WA • Hybrid

$86K - $151K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Get to know The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International manages the Pokémon property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. 

Learn more online at corporate.pokemon.com and pokemon.com.

Get to know the role

Job Title: Original Merchandise Developer – Plush (Bilingual Japanese/English) 

Job Summary: This role is responsible for driving the development and approval of plush products for Original Merchandise, ensuring high-quality products that meet Pokémon brand standards and business objectives. The role works closely with the internal stakeholders such as Original Merchandise, Production, Quality, and external vendors and partners to lead plush products from concept through production while balancing product quality, manufacturability, cost, and timelines. Success in this role requires strong plush and/or 3D product development expertise, sound product judgment, native-level Japanese and English communication skills, ownership, and effective cross-functional collaboration.

What you’ll do 

  • Lead the development and approval of plush products from concept through production sample approvals.
  • Review prototypes and production samples to evaluate quality, construction, materials, and character accuracy.
  • Provide clear, actionable feedback to vendors to improve product quality and manufacturability.
  • Create concept sketches, development artwork, or technical illustrations as needed to support plush prototyping and sample development.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders, external partners, and vendors throughout the product development process.
  • Manage multiple product development projects while balancing quality, cost, and timelines.
  • Identify development risks and recommend practical solutions.
  • Translate product development documents, review comments, and business communications between Japanese and English.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of plush development standards, review guidelines, and team processes.
  • Organize and maintain product samples, development records, and project documentation.

What You Will Bring

Required Qualifications

  • 3–5 years of professional experience in plush, toy, or 3D consumer product development.
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
  • Near-native level bilingual proficiency in Japanese and English.
  • Strong understanding of product construction, materials, manufacturing processes, and quality standards.
  • Demonstrated ability to evaluate product quality, character accuracy, and consumer appeal.
  • Experience working directly with overseas manufacturers and cross-functional teams.
  • Strong project management, prioritization, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook), SharePoint, Confluence.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Educational background or professional experience in Product Design, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, or a related field.
  • Ability to create concept sketches, development artwork, and technical illustrations for plush product prototyping and sample development.
  • Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
  • Experience developing character-based consumer products.
  • Passion for Pokémon and a strong interest in creating exceptional character merchandise.

 Base Salary Range: For this role, new hires generally start between $86,200 - $102,300 per year. The full range is $86,200 - $151,000 per year. This range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. The final base salary is directly related to the candidate’s qualifications and professional experience uniquely.

#LI-CK1 #LI-Hybrid

How you’ll be successful

  • Passion for Pokémon: Develops an understanding of the Pokémon brand, the impact it has on our people, culture, business, fans, and communities, and applying that knowledge and passion to everything you do.
  • Challenging the Expected: Approaches challenges with curiosity and creativity, embracing the possibility of failure as an opportunity to learn something new, develop innovative ideas, solve complex problems and identify unique opportunities.  
  • Integrity and Respect: Demonstrates integrity and respect by leading with empathy, listening to others, seeking out different perspectives, and taking personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and results.
  • Dedicated to Quality: Takes ownership to maintain and promote high standards, looks for new ways to learn and improve, and embraces a growth mindset to seek and apply feedback from others in an effort to continuously improve. 
  • Building Relationships: Develops and strengthens relationships, adopting a “team first” mentality and working collaboratively to solve problems and meet shared goals.  
  • Delighting Customers: Listens and understands the interests and needs of our customers and stakeholders, making them feel heard and important, and embracing these learnings to continue delivering a unique Pokémon experience.

What to expect

  • An innovative culture driven by impact, delivering meaningful outcomes.
  • Company events that celebrate the spirit of Pokémon.
  • Competitive cash-based compensation programs.
  • 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for you.
  • Generous paid family leave.
  • Employer-paid life insurance.
  • Employer-paid long and short-term income protection insurance.
  • US Employees: 401k Employer Matching.
  • UK/IRE/MX Employees: Pension Employer Contributions.
  • Fitness reimbursement.
  • Commuter benefit.
  • LinkedIn learning.
  • Comprehensive relocation package for certain roles.
  • Hybrid work environment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this role. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. For roles in the United Kingdom, candidates will need the right to work. In some cases, and for some roles, the Company may be able to arrange a visa. For roles in Ireland, this role requires candidates to have the right to live and work in the Republic of Ireland. However, we welcome applications from all nationalities and may consider supporting an employment permit application, in appropriate and suitable cases.

The Pokémon Company International is committed to the inclusion of all qualified applicants for consideration in our job application process. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at accommodationrequest_ta@pokemon.com.

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