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Character Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Motion & Character Designer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$58.60 - $65.10/hr

Aquent, a trusted talent partner, is seeking a visionary Sr. Product Designer to bring motion, character, and interaction to life across our digital platforms, creating charming and engaging story ...

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 ... Knowledge of Marvelous Designer or similar tools for clothing simulation. * Experience with rigid ...

As Lead Character Artist, you will be responsible for creating and overseeing the production of ... Knowledge of Marvelous Designer or similar tools for clothing simulation. * Experience with rigid ...

As a 3D Character Artist , you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring ... Collaborate with art leads, designers, and animators to ensure characters align with the project ...

3D Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$124K - $130K/yr

Job Summary Scattermesh is expanding its team and we are looking to hire experienced 3D Character Artists to work across client projects on a full time basis on-site in Herndon, VA. The role requires ...

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Character Designer information

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How much do character designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for character designer in the United States is $31.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.85 and $36.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Character Designers face when collaborating with other departments during production?

Character Designers often collaborate closely with animators, modelers, and directors, which can present challenges such as aligning on the visual style, ensuring designs are animation-friendly, and accommodating technical limitations. Balancing creative vision with practical constraints—like simplifying details for animation or adapting designs based on feedback—requires strong communication and flexibility. Successful Character Designers are proactive in seeking input, open to revision, and skilled at translating character concepts into workable assets that serve the story and production pipeline.

Does character design pay well?

Character designers' salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but they generally earn competitive wages within the creative field. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced designers working in gaming, animation, or film can earn higher salaries, especially with strong portfolios and proficiency in tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.

What are character designers?

Character designers are artists who create the visual appearance, style, and personality of characters for animation, video games, comics, films, and other media. Their work involves conceptualizing and illustrating characters based on story requirements, often working closely with writers, directors, and animators. Character designers develop everything from facial expressions and costumes to body shapes and color schemes, ensuring each character is visually appealing and communicates the intended traits or emotions.

What is the difference between Character Designer vs Character Artist?

AspectCharacter DesignerCharacter Artist
Primary FocusCreating original character concepts, designs, and visual stylesRendering and illustrating detailed character artwork based on designs
Skills & ToolsConcept art, illustration, creativity, design software (Photoshop, Illustrator)Digital painting, rendering, shading, software skills (Photoshop, Painter)
Work EnvironmentGame studios, animation, film, advertisingGame studios, animation, film, freelance projects

While both roles involve working with characters, a Character Designer focuses on creating original character concepts and visual styles, whereas a Character Artist specializes in bringing those designs to life through detailed illustrations and rendering. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the industry.

What art-related jobs are about $80,000 a year?

In the field of art, roles such as senior character designer, concept artist, or art director often have annual salaries around $80,000 or higher, especially with experience and in larger studios. These positions typically require strong skills in digital illustration, 3D modeling, and proficiency with tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Blender.

What do character designers do?

Character designers create visual representations of characters for media such as animation, video games, and comics. They develop concepts, sketches, and detailed artwork, often using digital tools like Photoshop or Illustrator, to establish a character's appearance, personality, and style. Their work involves collaboration with directors and other artists to ensure the character fits the project's overall vision.

What Does a Character Designer Do?

As a character designer, you create the look and animation of a cartoon character in a film, TV show, or video game. Your responsibilities are to develop physical features, design costumes and clothes, pose characters, and collaborate with team members from concept to production. Your duties include working with mouth charts, expression sheets, shadow and color indications, and marketing artwork. You sketch, draw, illustrate, and animate by hand and through computer software. You also work with different drafts and copies and maintain artwork storage. To be successful in this field, you must be able to balance creativity with the needs and requirements of the project.

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 and illustration skills, a deep understanding of anatomy, color theory, and character development, often supported by a degree in art or design. Proficiency with digital design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, and 3D modeling software like ZBrush is typically required. Creativity, strong communication, and the ability to accept feedback help designers collaborate effectively and bring unique characters to life. These skills are essential to create compelling, visually distinctive characters that resonate with audiences and fit seamlessly within projects.

How do you become a character designer?

To become a character designer, you typically need a strong foundation in art and illustration, often gained through a bachelor's degree in fine arts, animation, or a related field. Building a portfolio that showcases your ability to create diverse and expressive characters is essential, along with proficiency in digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Gaining experience through internships or freelance work can also help establish a professional network and improve your skills.
What cities are hiring for Character Designer jobs? Cities with the most Character Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Character Designer jobs? The most popular types of Character Designer jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Character Designer jobs? The top employers for Character Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Character Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Character Designer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Character Designer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Temporary. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,817 per year, or $31.6 per hour.
Motion & Character Designer

Motion & Character Designer

Aquent

Seattle, WA • On-site

$58.60 - $65.10/hr

Temporary

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 6 hours ago


Job description

Placement Type:
Temporary
Salary:
$58.60-65.10 Hourly
Start Date:
Jun 12, 2026
Join a premier entertainment and experience company, a leader in crafting unforgettable digital interactions that captivate millions globally. Aquent, a trusted talent partner, is seeking a visionary Sr. Product Designer to bring motion, character, and interaction to life across our digital platforms, creating charming and engaging story moments that delight our audience. In this pivotal role, you'll be at the forefront of defining how animation behaves inside our products, directly shaping immersive experiences and infusing them with personality and purpose for millions of users.
This role is open to candidates located in Orlando, FL, Seattle, WA, or Glendale, CA. This role is 4 days on site and Friday's are remote.
As a Sr. Product Designer, you will play a crucial role in enhancing our digital experiences by applying your expertise in motion, character, and interaction design. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, contribute to innovative projects, and help define the future of interactive storytelling within our products. This is an opportunity to move characters with personality, design motion systems with purpose, and see your creative vision come to life at scale.
*What You'll Do**
* Create 2D and 3D character animations, motion graphics, and interactive motion experiences for mobile applications and web platforms.
* Build and deliver production-ready interactive animations, including state machines, transitions, and character rigs.
* Design micro-interactions, loading animations, icon animations, transitions, and effects optimized for product delivery.
* Collaborate with various departments and teams to understand scope, project needs, and technical delivery requirements.
* Expand and explore established motion styles and visual systems of existing products to meet industry standards.
* Pitch and present motion explorations to managers, principals, and executive leadership.
* Export and deliver production-quality animation assets optimized for various technical platforms.
* Participate in visual critiques, brainstorms, project kickoffs, and design critiques.
* Partner with other Sr. Animators and Principal Designers to define the most appropriate motion direction, methods, and approaches for each project, balancing storytelling craft with the practical realities of product delivery.
* Broaden your core skillset and share best practices and ideas for production innovation within the team.
**Must-Have Qualifications:**
* Minimum of 3 years of professional animation, motion design, or UX motion design experience, working on branded campaigns, commerce, hospitality, or entertainment products.
* Expert-level skills in at least two of the following: 2D/3D character animation, motion graphics, or interactive UX motion design.
* Demonstrated ability to animate characters with personality, weight, and emotional expressiveness across a range of styles.
* Proficiency in interactive animation tools, including state machines, interactive animations, and character rigs for real-time product delivery.
* Well-versed in After Effects, and comfortable working across animation tools such as Maya, Cinema 4D, or equivalent.
* Strong understanding of motion principles - timing, easing, anticipation, staging - and how they apply to both storytelling and product UI.
* A strong portfolio showcasing character animation, motion graphics, and/or interactive product motion in a variety of styles.
* Art degree or equivalent work experience.
* Exceptional creative problem-solving skills with the ability to balance craft and production constraints.
* Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to present ideas in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
* Affinity for leading entertainment brands and experiences.
* Ability to multi-task effectively and manage priorities in a fast-paced environment.
* A positive, enthusiastic attitude with a proactive approach to work.
* Ability to take direction and incorporate feedback constructively.
* Good written communication skills for clear documentation and collaboration.
* Self-starter, reliable, and passionate about their work.
* Keen eye for detail with a clear understanding of the big picture.
* Team player who understands the value of regular and effective communication.
* Bachelor's Degree and/or equivalent relevant experience.
**Nice-to-Have Qualifications:**
* Strength in all three disciplines (2D/3D character animation, motion graphics, and interactive UX motion design) is highly valued.
* Familiarity with Figma.
**About Aquent Talent**
Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.
Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match.
Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.
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