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Character Designer Jobs in Maine (NOW HIRING)

Senior Designer

Rockland, ME · On-site

$70 - $90/hr

Senior Designer | Croft | Maine-based | Full-time At Croft, we produce panelized prefab buildings from natural materials. We're half design firm, half production powerhouse, and we're growing fast! W ...

Job Type Full-time Description Senior Architectural Staff/Designer at SMRT - Design the Future Are you ready to shape the future of architecture with a team that blends innovation, tradition, and ...

Senior Architectural Staff/Designer

Portland, ME · On-site

$104K - $111K/yr

Senior Architectural Staff/Designer at SMRT -- Design the Future Are you ready to shape the future of architecture with a team that blends innovation, tradition, and purpose? At SMRT, we don't just ...

Known for exceptional hospitality, thoughtfully designed accommodations, and authentic guest experiences, KRC combines the unique character of each property with operational excellence, strong brand ...

General Manager

Kennebunk, ME · On-site

$100K - $130K/hr

Known for exceptional hospitality, thoughtfully designed accommodations, and authentic guest experiences, KRC combines the unique character of each property with operational excellence, strong brand ...

Join Team Georgia and impact lives everyday while receiving a robust benefits package designed for ... Supervises and trains youth in a quasi-military style program of physical training, character ...

... designed to optimize student well-being and performance. Peak Performance integrates sports ... Develop student athletes of character who are committed to fostering a campus environment of ...

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Character Designer information

See Maine salary details

$18

$30

$45

How much do character designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for character designer in Maine is $30.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.93 and $35.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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 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.

How to get a job as a character designer?

To become a character designer, build a strong portfolio showcasing your drawing and conceptual skills, often using digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Gaining experience through internships, freelance work, or art courses can improve your chances, and understanding the specific style or genre of the industry you want to work in is beneficial.

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. A background in art, illustration, or animation, often supported by a degree in fine arts or related fields, is common. Proficiency in digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator and understanding of character anatomy and storytelling are also important.

What are popular job titles related to Character Designer jobs in Maine?

For Character Designer jobs in Maine, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Character Designer jobs in Maine look for?

The top searched job categories for Character Designer jobs in Maine are:

Infographic showing various Character Designer job openings in Maine as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 79% In-person, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,723 per year, or $30.6 per hour.

Architectural Designer

Kittery, ME • Hybrid

Winter Holben architecture + design
Construction • 11 - 50 employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

WINTER HOLBEN

At WINTER HOLBEN, we design environments that connect people to place through thoughtful architecture, interiors, and integrated experience design. We believe the environments we create should meaningfully support the people who use them while responding to the unique character of their surroundings.

Guided by the principles ofpeople, place, and performance, our work balances creativity, clarity, and craft to create environments that are purposeful, enduring, and deeply connected to their context.

Location

This position is based primarily in our Kittery, Maine studio, with a hybrid work schedule offering up to two remote days per week.

About the Role

We're looking for a talented Architectural Designer with 1-5 years of professional experience who is eager to contribute to a wide range of project types and scales. In this role, you'll work closely with the team to develop creative, well-executed design solutions from concept through construction.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is design-driven, technically curious, collaborative, and excited to grow within a multidisciplinary studio environment.

What You'll Do

  • Support projects through all phases of design and documentation, including concept design, schematic design, design development, and construction documentation
  • Collaborate with architects, designers, consultants, contractors, and clients to help bring projects to life
  • Develop presentation materials, renderings, diagrams, and drawing sets
  • Assist with space planning, material research, detailing, and coordination
  • Contribute to a creative and collaborative studio culture
  • Participate in client meetings, site visits, and project coordination
  • Help maintain project schedules, organization, and design quality throughout the process

What We're Looking For

  • 1-5 years of professional experience in architecture or interior architecture
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture from an accredited program
  • Strong design sensibility and graphic communication skills
  • Proficiency in Revit required; experience with Adobe Creative Suite and 3D modeling/rendering tools preferred
  • Understanding of construction documentation, materials, detailing, and building systems
  • Familiarity with zoning and building codes
  • Ability to work both collaboratively and independently in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
  • Curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to learn
  • Commercial and residential experience a plus.

Portfolio submission is required for consideration.

What It's Like to Work Here

Our studio is located in the heart of Kittery Foreside, a vibrant coastal neighborhood filled with creative businesses, independent shops, galleries, cafes, and restaurants.

We offer a flexible, collaborative work environment that supports professional growth and work-life balance. Benefits include:

  • Hybrid remote/in-office schedule option
  • Medical and dental insurance
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • Professional development support

How to Apply

Please send your resume and portfolio to info@winterholben.com or apply through the posting platform.