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Character Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Thatgamecompany

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)

$81K - $114K/yr

Brainstorm ideas and create rapid 3D prototypes during the concept and design phase * Support the rest of the 3D team to create character assets * Review and fix bugs of all complexities * Contribute ...

Absurd Ventures

Lead Character Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

As Lead Character Artist, you will be responsible for creating and overseeing the production of high-quality character assets. You will have a direct impact on the visual identity of our games ...

Absurd Ventures

Lead Character Artist

Santa Monica, CA

$170K - $200K/yr

As Lead Character Artist, you will be responsible for creating and overseeing the production of high-quality character assets. You will have a direct impact on the visual identity of our games ...

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 ...

Vega

Senior Brand Designer

New York, NY · On-site +1

$120K - $150K/yr

Interest in pixel art, voxel art, illustration, or character design. * Familiarity with how brand systems translate into motion. Salary range: $120,000-$150,000 depending on experience and location.

Finch Care

Product Designer

Design product concepts that balance product vision, speed, and business potential. * Work cross-functionally with engineering, product management, character design and character animation. Projects ...

Aquent

Motion & Character Designer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$58.60 - $65.10/hr

Create 2D and 3D character animations, motion graphics, and interactive motion experiences for ... Design micro-interactions, loading animations, icon animations, transitions, and effects optimized ...

teamLFG

OR · On-site

$120K - $126K/yr

Do you think a lot about how art impacts gameplay, how character design can enable fan cosplays, or how character poses and environments speak to different cultures all around the world? As the ...

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Character Design information

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$10

$19

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How much do character design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for character design in the United States is $19.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $24.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 do you get a job as a character designer?

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

What do you do as a character designer?

A character designer creates visual concepts and designs for characters used in animation, video games, comics, and other media. They develop unique appearances, costumes, and personalities, often using digital tools like Photoshop or Illustrator, and collaborate with writers and directors to ensure the character fits the story. Strong drawing skills and understanding of anatomy and storytelling are essential for this role.

Is character design a good career?

Character design is a viable career for those with strong artistic skills, creativity, and proficiency in digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. It often involves working in entertainment, gaming, or animation industries, with job stability depending on industry demand and individual skill level.

How hard is it to get a job in character design?

Securing a job in character design can be competitive, requiring a strong portfolio demonstrating artistic skills, creativity, and proficiency with tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Building experience through internships, freelance work, or personal projects can improve chances, and a background in art, animation, or related fields is often preferred.

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.
More about Character Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Character Design jobs? Cities with the most Character Design 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 jobs? States with the most job openings for Character Design jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Character Design jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Character Design jobs are:
Character Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Design job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,680 per year, or $19.1 per hour.
3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)

thatgamecompany

Los Angeles, CA • Remote

$81K - $114K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 hours ago

Job description

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)

thatgamecompany is looking for a Mid-Senior 3D Character Artist to join our team!

Responsibilities:

  • Create 3D characters and cosmetics in a visual style aligned with the world of Sky

  • Skinning character and cosmetic assets

  • Collaborate with project leads, concept artists, designers, and engineers

  • Brainstorm ideas and create rapid 3D prototypes during the concept and design phase

  • Support the rest of the 3D team to create character assets

  • Review and fix bugs of all complexities

  • Contribute to documentation and resource libraries for the art department

  • Promote, contribute to, and participate in a culture of inclusion and diversity

Must Haves:

  • Online portfolio demonstrating character art skills

  • 3+ years of experience as a 3D Character Artist at a game studio

  • Proficient modeling skills in Maya or equivalent

  • Self-motivated, humble, and a team player

  • Open-minded and able to implement feedback from peers and art directors in a timely manner

  • Passion for creating memorable characters for games

  • Understanding of Industry Standard Software such as Photoshop, ZBrush, and Texture Creation/Material Editing (Substance Painter/Unity)

  • Familiarity with Maya rigging/skinning

Nice to Haves:

  • A passionate Gamer

  • A Sky Player

  • Human Anatomy & Animal Anatomy knowledge

  • Understanding of clothing construction and real-world materials

  • Strive to create a gaming experience that brings a positive impact to the gaming world

  • Experience creating a game from the ground up

  • Portfolio demonstrating a variety of art styles


Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S or Canada. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
The salary range for this position is $81,000 USD to $114,000 USD annually, with the opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the Company’s compensation practices.
Employees in this position are eligible to participate in the Company’s standard employee benefit programs, which currently include the following: medical, dental, vision, 401k, and paid time off.

Our base pay is benchmarked against regional market and industry data and is adjusted to reflect the cost of living in your specific geographic area.

We look forward to meeting you!
#L1-Remote