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Character Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

David Baker Architects

Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$70K - $95K/yr

... character and strength of a community. As a B-Corp and JUST-certified organization, we are ... This Designer role supports projects primarily in early phase site planning, architectural concept ...

Naughty Dog

Senior Game Designer (Combat)

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$145K - $181K/yr

Naughty Dog games have long been lauded for their evocative, character-driven stories and attention ... Mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall growth of the design team What skills you ...

Nuna Inc.

Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$138K - $173K/yr

Design sets the bar for the character, tone, and visual impact of our products and is responsible for designing experiences that are intuitive and compelling to use. Nuna Designers embrace their ...

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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 Aug 8, 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 is a character designer?

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.

How to work on character design?

To work on character design, develop strong drawing skills and a good understanding of anatomy, proportion, and color theory. Use digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, and create a diverse portfolio showcasing original characters. Gaining experience through practice, studying existing designs, and understanding the project's style are essential for success in this field.

How to get a job as a character designer?

To become a character designer, build a strong portfolio showcasing your artistic skills and character concepts, often using digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Gaining experience through internships, freelance work, or art schools can improve your chances, and understanding character anatomy, storytelling, and industry trends is essential.

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.

What qualifications do I need to be a character designer?

To become a character designer, a strong portfolio demonstrating artistic skills and creativity is essential, often supported by a background in fine arts, illustration, or animation. Proficiency in digital tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or specialized software like Toon Boom is also important, along with good understanding of anatomy, storytelling, and character development. A bachelor's degree in art, design, or a related field is commonly preferred by employers.
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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 88% In-person, 7% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,955 per year, or $31.2 per hour.

Make Up Artist

Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group

San Jose, CA • On-site

$21/hr

Temporary

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Makeup Artist - Seasonal San Jose CA Seasonal Sept - Nov
Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group is the nation's leading creator of immersive, story-driven entertainment-and proudly the world's largest operator of Halloween attractions. With eighteen markets spanning Florida to California and millions of guests thrilled each year, we don't just produce events. We redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Denver and powered by a team of fearless creators, we've built a culture where curiosity, collaboration, and a relentless drive to go beyond expectations are the standard-not the exception. When you join Thirteenth Floor, you're not just taking a job. You're stepping into the magic behind the screams.
Returning applicants: If you have worked for Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group in a prior season, please contact your location manager directly regarding rehire status. Do not submit a new application through the online system.
What You'll Do
As our Seasonal Makeup Artist, you're the creative force behind the nightmares. Every character that haunts our guests starts in your chair-your artistry, speed, and precision transform performers into unforgettable creatures that make our attraction legendary.
Transformative Makeup Artistry
  • Craft professional-grade special effects looks for actors based on established look books and original character designs
  • Execute a full range of techniques including airbrushing, hand-painting, and prosthetic application to bring characters to life
  • Ensure every application is durable enough to withstand hours of intense performance, movement, and environmental conditions
  • Faithfully execute established designs while contributing your own creative flair where appropriate

Time Management & Show Pacing
  • Work swiftly and efficiently to complete complex looks within tight pre-show windows
  • Manage multiple actors simultaneously, prioritizing touch-ups and reapplications throughout the night to keep every character show-ready

Station Management
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and fully sanitized workspace at all times
  • Monitor inventory, care for all tools and supplies, and report restocking needs proactively
  • Adapt your station setup to varying locations, space limitations, and nightly demands

Collaboration & Communication
  • Partner with the costume department to ensure cohesive, compelling character presentations
  • Communicate clearly with actors about application processes, product use, and aftercare
  • Collaborate with fellow artists to maintain visual consistency and share techniques that elevate the overall aesthetic

Adaptability & Professionalism
  • Respond quickly to last-minute character changes, actor substitutions, or design adjustments mid-show
  • Troubleshoot makeup challenges in demanding conditions-low light, outdoor settings, high humidity
  • Participate in pre-season training to master character designs and expand your technical toolkit
  • Maintain a calm, positive, and professional demeanor that respects every performer's comfort and personal space

What You Bring
  • Demonstrated experience in special effects, theatrical, or character makeup-haunted attraction or live entertainment experience strongly preferred
  • Proficiency in prosthetics, airbrushing, hand-painting, and SFX techniques
  • Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure without sacrificing quality
  • Strong collaborative instincts and clear communication skills with performers and fellow artists
  • Organized, detail-oriented, and proactive about station and inventory management
  • Comfortable standing and moving throughout the event area for the duration of each shift
  • Availability to work evenings, weekends, and all scheduled event dates-reliable attendance is essential
  • Must be 18 years of age or older

Compensation & Employment Details
Hourly Rate: $21.00 hr
Employment Type: Seasonal/Temporary
Expected Season Duration: Late September - Early November 2026
Work Schedule: Evenings, weekends, and holidays required during operational season
This is a seasonal/temporary position with an anticipated end date. Employment beyond the stated season is not guaranteed.
Pursuant to California SB 1162, the hourly pay rate for this position is listed above. Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group will not request or consider salary history in making compensation decisions.
Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group participates in E-Verify. As required by federal law, we will verify the identity and employment eligibility of all hired individuals.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act (AB 1008). You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made.
Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations at any point in the hiring process by contacting hr@thirteenthfloor.com
Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), applicants are entitled to know what personal information is collected during the hiring process and how it is used. To review our Applicant Privacy Notice, visit [link] or contact HR at the email above.
Applicant Privacy Notice - California Residents
In connection with your application for employment, Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group ("TFEG") collects personal information about applicants as permitted and required by law. The categories of personal information we may collect include: identifiers (such as name, address, email, and phone number); professional and employment-related information (such as work history, references, and qualifications); education information; and background check information where applicable and permitted. This information is collected for the purpose of evaluating your candidacy, processing your application, and fulfilling our legal obligations as an employer. We do not sell applicants' personal information. Personal information collected during the hiring process is retained in accordance with applicable law and our internal data retention policies. If you have questions about how your personal information is collected or used, please contact Human Resources at hr@thirteenthfloor.com.

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