ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Character Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Skydance

Character Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Character Designer to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in bringing stories to life by shaping the ...

Skydance

Character Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Character Designer to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in bringing stories to life by shaping the ...

Skydance

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

As a key member of the art leadership team, the role will collaborate closely with the Director, Production Designer, Lead Character Designer, and report directly to the studio's Head of Costume ...

Skydance

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

As a key member of the art leadership team, the role will collaborate closely with the Director, Production Designer, Lead Character Designer, and report directly to the studio's Head of Costume ...

Skydance

Associate Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$67 - $75/hr

Resolve design issues with Production Designer, Lead Character Designer, and rest of Visual ... Development team * Provide and share expertise on clothing styles, fabrics, fabrication techniques ...

Skydance

Associate Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$67 - $75/hr

Resolve design issues with Production Designer, Lead Character Designer, and rest of Visual ... Development team * Provide and share expertise on clothing styles, fabrics, fabrication techniques ...

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

TapBlaze

Narrative Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Maintain character bibles, worldbuilding documentation, timelines, and narrative style guides. You're a Great Fit If... You're more than a writer. You think like a designer. You naturally ask ...

TapBlaze

Narrative Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Maintain character bibles, worldbuilding documentation, timelines, and narrative style guides. You're a Great Fit If... You're more than a writer. You think like a designer. You naturally ask ...

TrueShort

Reference Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Reference Designer About TrueShort TrueShort is one of the fastest-growing streaming apps in the ... Design character reference sheets, props, environments, and worldbuilding assets * Develop cohesive ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCharacter Designer JobsCharacter Designer Jobs in California

Character Designer information

See California salary details

$18

$31

$46

How much do character designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for character designer in California is $31.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.46 and $35.82 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.

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 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 design, often gained through a bachelor's degree in illustration, animation, or a related field. Building a portfolio that showcases your ability to create diverse and compelling 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.

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 opportunities for freelance or full-time employment. Success depends on building a strong portfolio, networking, and staying current with industry trends.

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

Securing a job as a character designer can be competitive, requiring a strong portfolio demonstrating creativity and technical skills in drawing and design. Relevant experience, proficiency with industry tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, and a good understanding of character development increase job prospects. Building a network and staying updated on industry trends also help in finding opportunities.

What is the job called where you design characters?

A character designer is a professional who creates and develops the visual appearance of characters for video games, animation, comics, or other media. The role involves sketching, concept art, and understanding anatomy, often using tools like Photoshop or Illustrator. Strong artistic skills and a portfolio are essential for this position.
More about Character Designer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Character Designer jobs in California? The most popular types of Character Designer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Character Designer jobs in California? For Character Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Character Designer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Character Designer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Character Designer jobs? Cities in California with the most Character Designer job openings:
Character Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Designer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,955 per year, or $31.2 per hour.
Character Designer

Character Designer

Skydance

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Character Designer to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in bringing stories to life by shaping the look, personality, and visual identity of our characters. From early concept exploration to final design execution, you will craft compelling, expressive designs that resonate with both the narrative and audience.

Working closely with directors, art leads, and fellow creatives, the Character Designer will contribute to the development of unique character styles, produce high-quality design assets, and help maintain a cohesive visual language throughout the film. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in drawing, a keen sense of storytelling through design, and the versatility to explore a wide range of shapes, styles, and emotional expression.

Previous experience on a feature animated film is required. 

This position is based in Los Angeles, California, and requires the selected candidate to work in an on-site hybrid capacity.

Responsibilities
  • Develop original artwork for project concepts and characters, including exploratory designs, refined assets, and surface details
  • Produce a wide range of visual development work from quick sketches and rough ideation to fully realized, production-ready character designs
  • Create clear and expressive character turnarounds, pose sheets, and supplementary drawings in 2D and/or CG visual development formats
  • Conduct visual and thematic research to inform design choices, ensuring authenticity, originality, and alignment with the story and world
  • Design and assemble compelling presentation materials that effectively communicate creative ideas to internal teams and leadership
  • Collaborate in brainstorming sessions to generate inventive concepts that enhance storytelling, bringing depth, humor, emotion, and personality to each character
  • Apply a strong understanding of human and/or animal anatomy to create believable, dynamic, and appealing character designs
  • Contribute creative problem-solving solutions, respond thoughtfully to feedback, and iterate efficiently on designs throughout the production process
  • Manage time effectively to meet production schedules and deadlines while maintaining a high level of quality
  • Maintain organized, production-ready files in accordance with the show’s naming conventions and versioning systems
  • Communicate proactively with supervisors and production partners regarding progress, questions, and any potential challenges
  • Revise and update designs as needed based on feedback, ensuring all work meets the creative vision before final approval
  • Partner closely with the Production Designer, Art Director, Lead Character Designer, and production staff to provide status updates and address any issues that arise
Requirements
  • 8+ years of character design experience on animated feature films
  • Strong visual storytelling skills, with the ability to design characters that support narrative and performance
  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to present work and respond effectively to feedback
  • Solid understanding of human and/or animal anatomy
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaboratively within a team
  • Adaptable and responsive to evolving creative direction and production needs
  • Working knowledge of Autodesk Maya, Blender, or ZBrush is a plus
  • Must be, or be willing to become, a member of The Animation Guild Local 839
     
     
The compensation range for this non-exempt position in Los Angeles, CA is $2,900-4,000/week. The rate offered may vary based on the candidate’s location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors.  The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc. 
 
#Animation